Body Language During Interviews or Business

Body Language in Business

Is important to know that body language accounts for over 90% of an usual conversation! Body language can be used to help conduct an interview, give a presentation or make an important sale: a conversation stretches so much further than speech.

Body language is the reason why an interview face-to-face has a huge advantage for an employer over interviewing by phone or for a sale made face-to-face over selling by phone.

Usually when we communicate with or see people, we only respond to what is being said, heard or generally seen. There is so much more involved and most of us do not pick up on it: it's our body language and it can express a thousand other unsaying words.

Our body language will give others an impression of ourselves or show our emotions. You're probably using it right now to read this page (you will either be alert and interested, or baffled and un-interested).

Our body language is an important aspect of running a successful business as we cannot always say what we really feel. This means we have to act positive in negative situations (and vice-versa of course). You can also identify other people's body language and know what they really mean.

You may immediately think of this as standing tall and up right as much as possible. In fact, it is the natural alignment of your head and body without the use of tension and 'locking'.

Everyone has a different posture and it usually develops through habit over the years. This may be slumping your shoulders forward or hanging your head.

Your posture may show how you will approach a situation.

For example, if you stand with your shoulders hanging, arms folded, and leaning to one side, it will look as if you aren't ready for or interested in the task in question. Should you stand with strong shoulders, head up, arms out by the side and closed fists, you will look as if you are ready for anything no matter how much stress is involved.

Looking at a persons feet when they are sitting down will tell you who is an extrovert (out-going) and who is an introvert (withdrawn). Extrovert - toes pointing out, introvert - toes pointing in.

Body Language During Interviews or other types of face-to face communication

Non-verbal communication accounts for over 90% of the message you are sending in your job interview! Your verbal content only provides 7% of the message the interviewer is receiving from you.

As you can see your non-verbal signals, both your body language (55% of the message) and the way you speak such as voice tone (38%), are as important as the actual words you use in your job interview answers!

Some tips for a job interview:

Be prepared. The best way to show positive body language at an interview is to be “natural, comfortable and confident” . It may seem counterintuitive, but the best way to look natural is to practice. Read a book or two about interviewing and then run through the entire interview process with a friend. Come up with a few interview questions to ask in advance.

Start strong. The interview starts the moment you step into the room. Walk in tall, with a smile on your face. Make sure your hand is free, and offer it to the interviewer. Make the handshake strong and firm, pumping hands once or twice, then release. A weak handshake and bone-crushers can both leave a negative impression. Don’t be afraid to practice shaking hands before your interview, maybe with your friends.

The interviewer will usually offer you a chair. If not, go to the chair across from him or her and ask if it alright to sit. Use the entire chair. If you’re sitting on the edge, you’re going to look nervous and uncomfortable.

Be an active listener. Forget about your feet, forget about the windows. Dedicate yourself to the interviewer. Don’t stare the interviewer down, but do maintain eye contact. Examples of proper body language include leaning forward, nodding and smiling when appropriate. Not only will you look interested, but it’ll probably be easier to pay attention, and to notice the interviewer’s nonverbal cues to you.

What if you’re being interviewed by a group of people talk directly to the person that’s asking the question. Once you have fully answered the question to that individual, then look at the other interviewers. You shouldn’t ignore any of the people who are interviewing, but you should give priority to the person who’s asking the question.

Expressing yourself with your hands is - gestures show energy and passion. However, a low-key interviewer might be overwhelmed by too much hand waving, so tone it down if need be.

Be calm. Jiggling legs. Jangling key. Twirling hair. Glancing at your watch. All of these are examples of bad body language. Bottom line: fidgeting makes you look nervous and distracted, so don’t do it. Don’t even tempt yourself by having anything unnecessary in your hands (or your mouth or wrist!) Keep your feet flat on the floor (or at most, cross your ankles). This not only cuts down on restless legs, but helps you sit straighter.

Read the interviewer. You want the interviewer to be doing the same things you are – maintaining eye contact, nodding, smiling, leaning forward or sitting relaxed. If the interviewer is leaning sideways, fiddling with things, or not responding with facial cues, there’s a good chance you’re losing him. To turn the interview back around, remember the last time you had them engaged and return to that subject or ask them a question.

Finish strong. The questions were brutal. The interviewer scowled the entire time. The job wasn’t what you thought it would be. No matter. Finish the interview the way you started it – with energy and confidence. Shake hands while you thank the interviewer for the opportunity, and walk away with your shoulders back and head high. You never know what’s going to happen – maybe the interviewer is always in a bad mood, maybe some other job will open up. You’ll never regret leaving a good impression.

No matter what happens, an interview is an opportunity to learn. At the end, ask yourself what you did right and how you could improve.