7 body language tips to impress at your next job interview

Summary

This video script highlights the importance of body language in job interviews, revealing that only 7% of communication comes from words, while 55% is nonverbal cues. It advises on improving posture, gestures, and facial expressions to appear confident and trustworthy. Tips include steady hand movements, mirroring the interviewer's speech patterns, and maintaining appropriate eye contact. The script also emphasizes the significance of a proper handshake and avoiding self-comfort gestures to ensure a positive impression.

Takeaways

• 🗣️ Body language plays a crucial role in communication, with 55% of communication being nonverbal cues.
• 🧍‍♂️ Maintaining an open posture, such as not slouching or folding arms, signals confidence and interest.
• 🚫 Avoid fidgeting or playing with objects during the interview as it can convey nervousness.
• 🧘‍♀️ Slowing down breathing can help reduce nervousness and stabilize heart rate.
• 🤲 Steady hand gestures, especially with palms up, indicate honesty and trustworthiness.
• 🤗 Avoid steepling, which can be seen as a sign of confidence, but clasping hands may show self-comfort and anxiety.
• 🕵️‍♂️ Mirroring the interviewer's speech patterns, such as vocabulary and speech rate, can help build rapport.
• 👀 Maintaining eye contact with the interviewer demonstrates confidence and trustworthiness.
• 🤝 A firm handshake that matches the interviewer's grip is essential for a positive first impression.
• 🙅‍♂️ Refrain from touching your face during the interview as it can suggest dishonesty.
• 🤔 When in a panel interview, ensure to make eye contact with all members but focus on the person asking the question.

Q & A

What percentage of communication is attributed to body language according to the video script?

According to the video script, 55% of communication is attributed to nonverbal cues such as facial expressions, gestures, and posture.

Why might a candidate be rejected in an interview despite being qualified and answering questions correctly?

A candidate might be rejected due to their body language, which can convey signals of nervousness, defensiveness, or dishonesty, even if they are qualified and answer questions correctly.

What is the suggested body posture to convey interest during an interview?

To convey interest, one should avoid slouching or folding arms, open up their body, not cross legs, and slightly lean forward from the waist.

How can fidgeting during an interview affect the impression given to the interviewer?

Fidgeting, such as constantly changing posture or playing with objects, can make a candidate appear anxious and nervous, which may lead the interviewer to have less confidence in them.

What is a good tip to help reduce nervousness before an interview?

A good tip is to slow down one's breathing, which can help slow the heart rate and make the candidate feel less nervous.

What does palm-up hand gestures signify in the context of an interview?

Palm-up hand gestures signify honesty and trustworthiness when making a point during an interview.

What is the significance of steepling in body language during an interview?

Steepling, or the act of interlocking one's fingers with the fingertips touching and the palms apart, is a sign of confidence.

Why should clasping hands be avoided during an interview?

Clasp hands is a sign of self-comfort and anxiety, which may convey a lack of confidence to the interviewer.

How can mirroring the interviewer's speech help in building rapport during an interview?

Mirroring the interviewer's speech, including vocabulary, jargon, rate, or volume, can help build rapport as people tend to trust those who are similar to themselves.

What is the recommended gaze technique during an interview to convey confidence and trustworthiness?

The recommended gaze technique is to maintain eye contact by shifting focus between the interviewer's eyes and mouth every three seconds, ensuring not to stare.

What is the proper way to initiate a handshake during an interview, and why is it important?

The proper way to initiate a handshake is to match the interviewer's grip strength, apply the one-two second rule, smile, and repeat their name. It is important because it is the unspoken word that initiates conversation and sets the tone for the interaction.

Why should candidates avoid touching their face during an interview?

Avoiding touching the face, especially the nose, mouth, ears, and sideburns, prevents signals that may suggest dishonesty to the interviewer.