BODY LANGUAGE

DURING INTERVIEW

INTRODUCTION

Body language is defined as the non-verbal communication between two individuals or a

group of individuals through physical behaviors such as limb movements, facial expressions,
eye movements, other bodily gestures and postures. Today, the term has assumed so much
importance and prominence in all spheres of life that without a positive body language, none
of us can survive in the professional arena, personal lives, and in the world, in general. Body
language comes into picture not only during normal conversations, but also during formal
discussions, interviews, group discussions, panel meetings, etc. Proper body language not
only conveys the right message to the recipient, but also attracts or repels the recipient.

What is Body Language?

Following are the important features of body language:
 It is a set of involuntary actions of the body parts.
 It involves movement, especially of the limbs and the head.
 It does not have grammar.
 It has to be interpreted broadly by other people.

Body language is of utmost importance in this highly competitive world. The

corporate sector values good body language a lot and any sign of bad body language can
break deals, even leading to loss of network for people. An old adage says “Actions speak
louder than words". Our body posture, along with its movements and placement of different
body parts, play an important role in letting out our feelings and emotions, even if we don’t
display the emotions voluntarily.

NON-VERBAL COMMUNICATION

Which form of communication do you think is more powerful: verbal or non-verbal? Of

course the "what" you say is very important in an interview, but many people are not aware
just how important the "way" you say something is. Non-verbal communication may be
described in many ways, such as your behavior, your manners, your attitude, your etiquette,
etc. However you say it, using the right non-verbal communication is key to having a
successful job interview.
The evaluation of your non-verbal communication will start as soon as you walk into the
company's lobby and continue until the interview is finished. If your nonverbal
communication skills aren't up to par, it won't matter how well you answer the questions.
The CollegeJournal reports that, according to some studies, "Body language comprises 55%
of the force of any response, whereas the verbal content only provides 7%, and
paralanguage, or the intonation -- pauses and sighs given when answering -- represents 38%
of the emphasis."
With these kinds of statistics we can’t afford to ignore the importance of non-verbals. Your
manners, looks, hygiene, behavior, attitudes, personality, and fit to work culture are all being
evaluated as part of the second agenda- Do I want to work with you? Of course, interviews
claim to be unbiased and many professionals try to be objective in these meetings. However,
humans are humans and the process of judging another human will always involve a certain
degree of subjectivity.
How to Give the Right Non-Verbal Communication in an Interview to Help
you Land the Job.
Dress.
If you don't know how to dress for the interview, then you didn't do your homework. You
should know what the corporate culture is like at this company. In the interviewer's mind, a
saleswoman or a software engineer has a certain "look" and "behavior". You need to know
that look and add a +1 to it. Dress a little more formally than the average person in that
position for the interview. This way, you will not be too overdressed, or much worse, not too
underdressed for the job.

While You Wait.

The way you sit in the lobby, the way you greet the receptionist and the interviewer, and the
way you wait, will all have an impact on whether you are going to be considered for the job.
Be friendly and pleasant, but, not overbearing. If you need to wait, sit quietly (no phone
calls) and patiently.
 To avoid sweaty palms, visit the rest room, wash your hands, then run them
under cool water prior to the interview. Keep your palms open rather
 than clenched in a fist and keep a tissue you in your pocket to (surreptitiously)
wipe them.

The First Meeting.

Meeting your interviewers for the first time is going to leave your host with a very strong
and immediate feeling about you. From the very first glance and handshake, your interviewer
will be "sizing you up". Keep in mind that even though they are professionals as well, they
may also be feeling a bit of nervousness and anxiety -- it's natural for humans. Put them at
ease! Take it upon yourself to make THEM feel comfortable. The most important thing you
can do during this first contact is to offer a big, warm, sincere smile, and let them know that
you are relaxed and excited to meet such interesting people

“It’s not what you say, it’s what you do”

The expression of “it’s not what you say, it’s what you do” is never more true than
during an interview. Your body language can have a significant impact on how you are
perceived by the person interviewing you and this can start from before you walk in the door.
Don’t forget you are being judged before you have even spoken. Here are some top tips,
some of which will seem blindingly obvious, to help with how to give the best impression in
an interview.

THE ENTRANCE
Remember the interview starts even before you get to the interview room. You don’t know
who could be in the parking lot with you, looking at you from a window or standing next to
you in the lift. Your body should tell anyone who might be watching that you’re confident
and calm. It’s not the time to be frantically searching through your portfolio for printouts of
your CV.

SHAKING HANDS
Job interviews mean handshakes -- so what are the secrets to the perfect handshake? The
overly aggressive shake, or “death grip,” can be as offputting as the limp handshake, so
practice with a friend before the interview to find the right balance. You’re going to be
shaking with your right hand, so prepare by arranging your belongings on your left side.
Offer your hand with the palm slightly up so that your interviewer’s hand covers yours. It’s a
sign that you’re giving them status, and never cover the other person’s hand with the hand
you’re not shaking with as it can be interpreted as a sign of domination.
THE SMILE
A smile is an invitation, a sign of welcome. It says, “I’m friendly, approachable, and sure of
myself.” Obviously keep the smile natural and nod appropriately to show you are listening
and understand the topic of discussion, to sit through an interview grinning inanely would
most certainly give the wrong impression.

EYE CONTACT
This is the best way to show you’re actually paying attention and engaging with the
situation. Of course this doesn’t mean stare blankly at your interviewer, but strive to hold eye
contact for a few seconds at a time. If you’re faced with more than one interviewer, be sure
to make eye contact with all of them. Address the person who asked the question, then hold
eye contact with the other interviewer for a few seconds, before returning your attention to
the first interviewer.

Here are some interview body language mistakes………….

Weak Handshake
Before you shake hands, rise, walk up to the hiring manager with confidence, make eye
contact and smile.
“Make sure your handshake is firm, but don’t crush the hiring manager’s hand,” says body
language expert and author Patti Wood. “The secret to a great handshake is palm-to-palm
contact. Slide your hand down into the web of theirs and make palm-to-palm contact. Lock
thumbs with the hiring manager, and apply as much pressure as he or she does.” But
remember that the appropriate pressure varies from culture to culture.

Invading Personal Space

Be respectful of the hiring manager’s personal space. Don’t stand too close and certainly
don’t hug them.
Crossing Your Arms
That can make you look defensive or uncomfortable. Instead, gesture with your hands. That
way you’ll appear more enthusiastic and engaging.
Playing With Your Hair
 “It’s a stress comfort cue that can make you look childish,” Wood says. You don’t want to
distract the hiring manager with this body language gaffe.
Bad Posture
Sit up straight. “Asymmetrical body language can make you look confused or dishonest,”
Wood says.
Lack Of Eye Contact
“It’s okay for the candidate to look away when he or she is talking,” Wood says. “It’s normal
to look around when you’re speaking because you’re accessing different parts of the brain by
moving your eyes. But be attentive and make eye contact when the interviewer is speaking.”
Think of eye contact as a connection tool.
Looking Like You’re Not Interested
“It’s fine if you have an expressive face,” Wood says. “It makes you more likeable.” But be
aware of your facial expressions, and don’t check your watch or your cell phone during the
interview.
Not smiling
You can all too easily appear nervous or unfriendly. Smile, but keep it subtle.

Fidgeting
Don’t touch your face, play with change in your pocket or bite your nails. Fidgeting is a
distraction and a sign of anxiety.
Hands Hiding Your
“Don’t sit on your hands or hide them in your lap,” Wood says. “Place them on the arms of
your chair or the desk or use them to gesture. Gesturing makes you look more expressive,
and the interviewer can read how open and honest you are by looking at your hands.”

NON-VERBAL DO’S AND DON’T’S

"Do’s"
  Research the organization ahead of time to determine the dress code and the work
environment.
 Know the directions to the interview. Plan your commute with time to spare.
 Have neat appearance including recent haircut, clean nails, clean and pressed
clothes, that fit appropriately.
 Use the rest room and hang-up coat and any outerwear before the interview.
 Get a good night’s sleep.
 Smile and maintain eye contact since interviewers place a great deal of emphasis
on this. When interviewed by a group, make eye contact with everyone in the
group. Be mindful of not focusing most of your eye contact on just one person.
 Appear enthusiastic, using moderate gestures to make a point. ü Write out
questions to ask before the interview.
 Keep calm and don’t panic

DONT’S
 Drink coffee or other caffeinated beverages before the interview; it causes you to
sweat and if you drink more than one cup, it can make you jittery.
 Be late for the interview.
 Wear perfume or cologne.
 Sit down or dash to your chair until the interviewer gives some indication to be
seated; otherwise you appear overanxious.
 Lean on the interviewer’s desk. Sit erect in your chair.
 Demonstrate your nervousness by tapping you fingers, swinging your legs, playing
with your hands, face, hair, jewelry or clothes.
 Appear to eavesdrop on any phone calls the interviewer receives in your presence.
 Read materials on the interviewer’s desk.
 Cross your arms: makes you look defensive.
 Sit on the edge of your seat or rock on the seat.
 Smoke before or during an interview and avoid eating food that may have a strong
odor before an interview. Utilize a breath mint such as peppermint to help refresh
the mouth.