Body Language
When being interviewed try to avoid a variety of “distracting” mannerisms such as:
- Swivelling on the chair (if it is a swivel type)
- Placing your hands on the desk and then proceeding to “pick skin” on your fingers/nails.
- Leaning forwards over the table and getting too close
- Placing hands on your hips
- Scratching your head
- Crossing your legs (unless you are a female and not wishing to be a Sharon Stone)
- Balancing your foot on top of alternate knee
- Slumping in chair or trying to look too comfortable or laid back.
What you should do is:
- Shake hands with interviewers warmly nListen hard for the names of the interviewers and use them if you can remember them.
- Maintain an even eye contact with all panellist not just the person asking the question.
- Keep your hands in your lap, don’t go overboard with hand gesticulations and don’t fidget.
- Sit in a comfortable position but your body posture needs to be upright to indicate “you are working in this interview”.
- If possible raise a smile now and then.