Cracking an interview is not an easy job. You are judged on various criteria that include your dressing style, the way you speak, your resume, past experiences and also your body language. Little do people know that they often give themselves away with their body language and their expressions. Instead of focusing on small gestures and indications that speak volume to the hiring manager, we are more focused on our resumes.
You can keep this in check by making use of the following pointers that help you to avoid common body language mistakes in job interviews.
#1. Not making eye contact
Making eye contact is an expression of confidence and failing to do so can get you look really under confident. A candidate unsure of himself will surely not make it through the interview, and your CV will go straight to the bin.
(Image Courtesy: LifeHacker)
#2. Not smiling
Interviews are stressful no doubt, but that is no excuse to not smile during one. Smiling makes you look like you have a friendly, easy going and amiable nature and every company would want such an employee. Also, don’t fake smile, it looks forced and leaves a bad impression.
(Image Courtesy: Linkedin)
#3. Playing with a pen or any other object
During a one on one interaction with the hiring manager, it is important that you give her/him your full concentration. Playing with a pen or any object makes it look like you are not entirely focused on the interview which is unlikely to help you grab the job.
/about/hand-pointing-with-pen-on-table-in-meeting-675858859-58fa3c063df78ca159e45172.jpg)
(Image Courtesy: The Balance)
#4. Fidgeting a lot
If you are nervous in an interview, breathe deeply and drink a glass of water but don’t show that nervousness during the Q/A session. Fidgeting in your seat gives away that you are nervous and is very distracting for HR.
(Image Courtesy: Experto.de)
#5. Crossing their arms
Where you place your arms during the interviews is also crucial. Crossing them would suggest that you are closed off and not very open. It is a defensive attitude and will show you in a bad light to the interviewer.
(Image Courtesy: The Mix)
#6. Smiling too much
It is important to smile and be friendly but over doing it would make you look a tad bit foolish and one must remember cracking an interview is serious business.
/about/smiling-senior-businesswoman-leading-discussion-462113267-58b465355f9b5860461d22da.jpg)
(Image Courtesy: The Balance)
#7. Having bad posture
Another non-verbal cue that gives away your approach towards the interview and the job has a bad posture. One needs to sit straight instead of slouching and have a good and confident posture. A bad posture means a complacent person who is too much into their comfort zone whereas an attentive person would quickly convey his frame of mind through his posture.
(Image Courtesy: Career Addict)
#8. Playing with your hair
Anything that distracts you from the interview can be a wrong signal to the hiring manager. Playing with your hair or touching your face can come across as a sign of nervousness or an attempt to hide some information.
(Image Courtesy: Forbes)
#9. Too many hand gestures
A few hand gestures are acceptable to put your point across but using way too many only shows that you are somehow not able to convey your point. Being inarticulate and using your hands to express what you wish to say is not going to work in your favor.
(Image Courtesy: LifeHacker)
#10. A weak handshake
A weak handshake shows a lack of confidence and self-esteem, and that’s not a quality any employer looks for in a candidate. Also, don’t overdo it and make your handshake too strong, keep it neutral instead.
(Image Courtesy: Coaching for inspiration)
#11. Don’t cut mid-point
Another disastrous mistake to make would be to cut or point during an interview which makes you look overly aggressive.
:fill(transparent,1)/about/GettyImages-167456531-5760ba263df78c98dc8c0356.jpg)
(Image Courtesy: Career Addict)
#12. Excessive nodding
Agree when it’s important but don’t keep nodding throughout the interview. Doing it a few times is okay, but if you turn into a bobblehead doll, it’s not going to help your case.
(Image Courtesy: Rate My website)
Is there any body language mistake that you made in an interview and what was the outcome of it? Do share your opinion using the comment box below.
4 Opinions
Share
![Body Language: From Common Signs to Spotting Lies [Infographic]](https://askopinion.com/images/Files/UserFiles/posting/mdm/2018/3/body-language-sgj.jpg)
In a corporate world one must have the knowledge to conduct ones body language in such a way that it complements the qualification of a person and adds to the chances of finding a job. No office would like a person who doesn't have the basic knowledge to appear in the interview. A person is only hired if they have visible skills in the first meet! There are some people who fake themselves in front of the panel but not every time they can get away,with this feeling that they weren't visible gestures. The person who is taking your interview is definitely not under experienced else the company wouldn't trust them to hire working officials for themselves. It's easy to say that body language might not matter but when you want to give someone the first impression to make a relationship which stay for a longer period of time then they must be ones with an mere sense of courtesy in-built. No one can fake themselves for a longer period of time and to bloom ones career on has to concentrate on the characteristics in the work place and with others.
Body language is absolutely essential in order to make a good impression on the recruiter.
Interviews are difficult for some because of the lack of confidence. we think we can hide it by our acting skills but that is not how it works. They say that actions speaks louder than words, which holds corrects during interviews too. You might be well aware of what you say but not how you behave. Body language says a lot about your confidence level. Clinched Shoulders or fidgeting are signs of Low Confidence.
I do not have words to tell you how important it is to know show good body language skills during a job interview. I have seen people being rejected in interviews even after they possessed every little skill that was required in that particular job profile.
Now, just imagine how important it is. But the problem arises when you think that this and only this will help. No, it doesn't happen that way. Yes, it is an integral part of getting a job. But, your skill are equally important and hold high priority.
It is also seen that different designations and job profiles require varied type of expertise in body language. Another thing to consider here is that when you go out for an interview, your confidence really matters that can be judged from many things like your body language, speech, tone etc. So be careful and please do not show over confidence.