Body language job interview tips

Drake Marketing

In a job interview, it's important to be prepared for all kinds of questions. What do you say if they ask about your greatest weakness? How do you respond when they ask about your biggest accomplishment? And what if they throw in some curveballs like "What was the last book you read?".   Like verbal communication, body language is a form of communication that sends non-verbal cues to others.  Working on your body language skills will help you communicate effectively in an interview setting and improve the way you make a first and lasting impression with a talent manager. 

Here are some top tips to ensure your body language and visual cues are on point in an interview. 

• Walk into the interview with confidence. 

This is where you want to make a good first impression on your interviewer, so walk into the interview with a purpose and smile! Don't be afraid to make eye contact and shake hands as soon as you get there.  With shoulders back, standing tall, and walking confidently – not only will you look more confident, but it will also help you feel more confident.  

• Smile, nod, and make eye contact throughout the interview. 

Smiling, nodding, and making eye contact show the interviewer that you're interested in what's being said.   But remember don't overdo it! Be aware of your audience and respond to their visual cues. 

Interviewers want to see your personality and smiling or expressing emotions can help talent managers get a sense of you on a personal level.    

Eye contact is also important as it helps you be seen as attentive and trustworthy which encourages greater connection. 

• Sit comfortably. 

It’s important to sit up straight (no slouching or leaning back) and if anything, lean slightly forward in your seat with hands loosely clasped on the table. You want to show your interest and engagement with the interviewer, but you don’t want to appear too laid back or overly keen. Another great tip is to have both feet firmly on the ground to help maintain your posture and ground yourself.  

Asking questions and leaning forward shows that you are engaged with what the interviewer is saying and demonstrates how interested and excited you are about the job or working for their company. 

• Keep your hands visible and controlled. 

It's important for you to communicate clearly with your interviewer, and hand gestures can help support or emphasise a point you are making. Gestures should always be controlled and motions small, so it’s not overall distracting, but some movement is good.  

Another point is to resist the urge to tap, or fiddle, as this can make you come across as bored, impatient, or nervous.   

Working on your body language skills will help you communicate effectively with others and improve the way you make impressions in interviews. Your body language can tell people how you're feeling and what your intentions are. The key thing to remember is that nonverbal cues are a form of communication, so try not to forget about them when in an interview setting.