Body Language - Interviewing Tips

CareerCast.com Report: Why Your Job Interview Body Language Can Help You Win - Or Lose - A New Job

PR Newswire. New York: Jun 15, 2010.

CARLSBAD, Calif., June 15 /PRNewswire/ -- Your job interview body language has more of an impact on your success than anything you say, according to a new report by CareerCast.com, a national job-search portal. Exhibiting the right body language can help you convey an enthusiastic, positive and confident attitude to interviewers. So unless you want to end up starring in a scene from "The Office," watch your body language - it could be the reason why you're not landing the job you want.

According to CareerCast.com, studies suggest that the nonverbal cues you give during job interviews are more important than verbal ones, and they speak volumes about how you'd perform in a job. Pitch, volume, intonation, pauses and sighs you give when answering also are important, while verbal content - what you actually say - is the least critical aspect.

"Smart candidates know that interviews start as soon as they enter the lobby," says Tony Lee, publisher, CareerCast.com. "Set the right tone by being early, and use the extra time to compose yourself. If you're waiting for a while, don't pull out pages of notes to review. Instead, check email messages or glance through available magazines or literature in the waiting area. Relax and project confidence during the critical early moments of the interview."

CareerCast.com offers these job interview body language tips:

If a receptionist indicates that the interviewer is ready to see you, enter their office as though you belong and are welcome.
Greet your interviewer with direct eye contact and a firm (but not bone-crunching), sincere handshake.
Don't start talking immediately or dive into a chair. Let the interviewer set the tone.
Adjust your seating position based on your interviewers' seating arrangements. Lean forward when they do, and relax if they do the same.
Project sincerity and confidence by maintaining eye contact, smiling and shaking your head in agreement when appropriate.
Use a natural tone and don't deviate from your normal speaking style.
Keep a relaxed, balanced posture.
Guard against using a lot of hand gestures or betraying your nervousness by clenching or wringing your hands.
Avoid fidgeting, especially around your face and hair.