Body Language
 1.
When you first meet somebody eye contact is one of the most important
aspects of dealing with them, so in an interview it’s essential that you get it
right.
There are cultural differences in eye
contact but here in the UK any less than 60% of the time makes you look shifty
or bored, and any more than about 70% makes you look a bit psychotic and
intense.
2. Posture is something you must
get right if you are to feel confident and comfortable and to project those
feelings to the interviewer. It’s a bit like the army – back straight, head up
and shoulders back. Try it and you’ll feel the difference immediately.
3. If someone is interested in
what you are saying then their head will be tilted slightly to one side and
slightly towards you. This works the other way. If the interviewer is talking to
you, then adopt this posture.
 4.
Arms are a big give away as to how we are feeling. Keep your arms out to the
side of your body or behind your back. Folding your arms is a very defensive
posture and is a complete no no in a job interview. Don’t wave your arms around
too much as this can appear aggressive and uncontrolled, but too little shows a
lack of passion or interest.
 5. There are so many hand gestures
that it's hard to give a concise guide, but broadly speaking your palms should
be slightly up and outward which is seen as open and friendly.
Holding your
hands with the palm down, points to a dominant, emphasising and maybe
even
aggressive attitude. When you shake hands you should always offer your hand in
an upright vertical position; if you hold your hand out with the palm down this
is seen as overtly trying to be dominant.
6. The distance that you stand
from others is crucial if you want to give off the right signals in an
interview. Stand too close to another person and you'll be marked as "Pushy" or
"In your face". Conversely if you stand or sit too far away then you're "Keeping
your distance" or "Stand offish". Generally speaking the closest you want to get
someone in a business situation is an arms length. This is your (and their)
personal space. If the other person steps away from you then you are too close
for comfort! Back off!
7. Body angles are an important
issue. We will naturally angle ourselves toward people we find attractive,
friendly and/or interesting and angle ourselves away from those we don't. It's
as simple as that! This includes not just turning your body but also leaning. If
you lean toward someone it gives positive signals of interest and attraction.
Leaning away – the opposite applies (see point 3).
 8.
Legs are a tricky one. When people are nervous, bored or lying then leg
movement increases markedly. Think of jigging your leg when you’re in a boring
meeting! The best thing you can do is to keep your legs as still as possible in
interviews.
If you cross your legs make sure it’s
not with one ankle up on the other knee as this is both defensive and sends out
a signal of disbelief.
9. The hand over the mouth. This
identifies a lie. It’s very simple; if your hand even slightly obscures your
mouth when you’re talking then it implies a lie. This is most common in children
who will actually put their hands right over their mouth when they’re lying, but
adults do this too – if a little more subtly.
10. Mirroring. If someone you
are talking to (or even if you’re just in their company) starts to copy your
gestures or movements then this signifies their interest in you. Likewise if you
start to do this then you are sending out a signal of interest to them. Be
careful of overdoing it though!
And don't forget to
smile!!
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