6 Confident Body Language Tips For Interviews - Algrim.co

6 Confident Body Language Tips For Interviews - Algrim.co Wondering what the key to great body language is? We’re going to cover some simple ways you can show confidence, comfort, professionalism, and enthusiasm with body language. These body language tips are fairly easy to follow but require attention to your person. Let’s start digging in. First, the key to great body language is to be comfortable. That’s absolutely the key. If you don’t feel comfortable, you won’t be confident. Let’s take an example of a first date. If you are going on a first date and you feel nervous, what do you think is going to happen? You are going to seem like you lack confidence. This is natural. On a first date, you’d want to try and calm your nerves the best you can. Similarly, this is how we’ll think about your interview and how to have great body language in it. Best Body Language Tips & Methods Here’s the simplest series of events you can do to make sure you have perfect body language during an interview. When standing When standing, be sure that you don’t look at the ground. Keep your head up, keep your back straight, don’t lean. Have good posture. Pro fact: Dr. Albert Mehrabian, author of Silent Messages conducted a number of studies on nonverbal communication between humans. He found that only 7% of the message to another person is conveyed by words. While 55% came through nonverbal elements. When sitting When sitting, be sure that you sit comfortably. If this means crossing your legs, that’s okay! Be sure that when you sit, you look comfortable. Don’t sit with perfect posture if that makes you feel uncomfortable. Confidence happens when you look natural. When speaking When speaking, be sure you are making frequent eye contact or looking at someone's mouth when they speak. If it’s your turn to speak, be short and concise. Don’t over-communicate. Be sure that you don’t look to the left or right too frequently. If you need to think about what you are going to say before you say it, look down for a moment. And tell the interviewer, “Let me think about that for a moment.” Smile when appropriate Some people will tell you that you should be smiling often. This can actually make an interviewer feel slightly uncomfortable if you are smiling when it’s not the right time. For example, if they are speaking about something very serious and you are smiling, they are going to think you aren’t taking the conversation seriously. That can come off as arrogant or rude. Only smile when there’s something to laugh at. Dress comfortably When you are in an interview, the best thing you can do is to dress comfortably. Even if the environment is business casual and you show up in sneakers because it makes you feel more comfortable, do it. You’ll be rewarded more for being confident with your body language than being punished for not dressing in the right shoes. Don’t stress When you are speaking with someone, be sure you are listening to what they’re saying. Don’t be thinking about other situations. Like for example, if you are going to get the job or not. Do your best to be mindful of the conversation. And listen. That will make sure that your responses are accurate and that will also be positively communicative. Related: How To Be Confident In An Interview: 14 Ways To Get Confidence What Does Body Language Mean Body language is the indirect communication that humans give one another. You might know body language best when driving a vehicle. If you are a driver, you’ll know that you can sometimes see the intention of someone wanting to change lanes even if they don’t have their lane change blinkers on. This is body language. Body language is important in interviews and when having conversations with others. Because it shows your true intentions. If you don’t have good body language and communicate even the best of words, the other person may not trust what you had to say. Both your body language and your verbal communication need to line up. Area’s Where You’ll Communicate Body Language Body language is communicated in these ways. When you are going in for an interview, be sure that you are paying close attention to yourself in these areas. And be sure you follow some of the simple guidelines here for communicating your body language in a positive way. Eye contact General eye contact is very important. Be sure that you make 80% eye contact but don’t stare at someone. Handshakes Handshakes are very important. Do your best not to have a light grip but not an overly tight grip as well. Shake someone's hand with intention. Lean into the handshake. Standing When standing, be sure you aren’t looking down or looking away from someone. Be sure you don’t lean as well. Stand with intention, keep your head up. Sitting When sitting, be sure you aren’t sitting in an uncomfortable position. It’s absolutely okay to cross your legs or have your hands folded, these are great signs of body language. But don’t sit uncomfortably. When speaking Be sure you don’t spend too much time speaking. Be mindful of the length of time you are speaking. If you speak for too long of periods and don’t make precise points, this will appear as though you are nervous or lack confidence. When listening When listening, be sure you are making eye contact or looking at someone's mouth as they speak. Don’t look away or fidget with anything on the desk. Be sure you aren’t thinking about anything other than what the other person is saying, either. Meaning, listen to them. Your clothing Wearing comfortable clothing will make you feel more confident. If you are going to air on the side of wearing comfortable clothing or dressing to code, go on the side of wearing comfortable clothing. Just be sure that you aren’t wearing street clothing or something that’s revealing or inappropriate. These are the best area’s to focus on when thinking about what you are communicating with your body language. It will require you to pay attention to your own habits. Ask a friend to tell you which one of these you exude the most. And then be mindful of that when attending your interview. It will require some work on your part, but it will be worth the professional development this is causing you to have.