Your heart feels ready to leap out of your chest. Beads of sweat build on your forehead. Your mind is racing.
It's not a full-blown interrogation -- although it may feel like it -- it's just a job interview. While it's no secret that job interviews can be nerve-racking, a lot of job candidates spend a significant amount of time worrying about what they will say during their interview, only to blow it all with their body language. The old adage, "It's not what you say, it's how you say it," still holds meaning, even if you're not talking. You need to effectively communicate your professionalism both verbally and non-verbally.
Because watching your nonverbal cues, delivering concise answers and expressing your enthusiasm at once can be difficult when you're nervous, here's a guide to walk you through it:
Have them at "hello"
Before you walk into the interview, it's assumed that you will have done the following: prepared yourself by reading up on the company and recent company news; practiced what you'll say to some of the more common interview questions; and followed the "what to wear on your interview" advice. So you're ready, right?
Some hiring managers claim they can spot a possible candidate for a job within 30 seconds or less, and while a lot of that has to do with the way you look, it's also in your body language. Don't walk in pulling up your pantyhose or readjusting your tie; pull yourself together before you stand up to greet the hiring manager or enter their office. Avoid a "dead fish" handshake and confidently -- but not too firmly -- grasp your interviewer's hand and make eye contact while saying hello.
Shake your hand, watch yourself
If you are rocking back in your chair, shaking your foot, drumming your fingers or scratching your... anything, you're going to look like your going to look the type of future employee who wouldn't be able to stay focused, if even for a few minutes. It's a not a game of charades, it's a job interview. Here's what to do (and not do).
Don't:
Rub
the back of your head or neck. Even if you really do just have a cramp
in your neck, these gestures make you look disinterested.
Rub or touch your nose. This suggests that you're not being completely honest, and it's gross.
Sit with your armed folded across your chest. You'll appear unfriendly and disengaged.
Cross your legs and idly shake one over the other. It's distracting and shows how uncomfortable you are.
Lean your body towards the door. You'll appear ready to make a mad dash for the door.
Slouch back in your seat. This will make you appear disinterested and unprepared.
Stare back blankly. This is a look people naturally adapt when they are trying to distance themselves.
Do:
Sit
up straight, and lean slightly forward in your chair. In addition to
projecting interest and engagement in the interaction, aligning your
body's position to that of the interviewer's shows admiration and
agreement.
Show your enthusiasm by keeping an interested
expression. Nod and make positive gestures in moderation to avoid
looking like a bobblehead.
Establish a comfortable amount of
personal space between you and the interviewer. Invading personal
space (anything more than 20 inches) could make the interviewer feel
uncomfortable and take the focus away from your conversation.
Limit
your application of colognes and perfumes. Invading aromas can arouse
allergies. Being the candidate that gave the interviewer a headache
isn't going to do anything in your favor.
If you have more
than one person interviewing you at once, make sure you briefly address
both people with your gaze (without looking like a tennis spectator) and
return your attention to the person who has asked you a question.
Interruptions
can happen. If they do, refrain from staring at your interviewer while
they address their immediate business and motion your willingness to
leave if they need privacy.
Stand up and smile even if
you are on a phone interview. Standing increases your level of
alertness and allows you to become more engaged in the conversation.
Say Goodbye Gracefully
After a few well-thought-out questions and answers with your interviewer, it's almost over, but don't lose your cool just yet. Make sure your goodbye handshake is just as confident now as it was going in. Keep that going while you walk through the office building, into the elevator and onto the street.
Source: careerbuilder
It's not a full-blown interrogation -- although it may feel like it -- it's just a job interview. While it's no secret that job interviews can be nerve-racking, a lot of job candidates spend a significant amount of time worrying about what they will say during their interview, only to blow it all with their body language. The old adage, "It's not what you say, it's how you say it," still holds meaning, even if you're not talking. You need to effectively communicate your professionalism both verbally and non-verbally.
Because watching your nonverbal cues, delivering concise answers and expressing your enthusiasm at once can be difficult when you're nervous, here's a guide to walk you through it:
Have them at "hello"
Before you walk into the interview, it's assumed that you will have done the following: prepared yourself by reading up on the company and recent company news; practiced what you'll say to some of the more common interview questions; and followed the "what to wear on your interview" advice. So you're ready, right?
Some hiring managers claim they can spot a possible candidate for a job within 30 seconds or less, and while a lot of that has to do with the way you look, it's also in your body language. Don't walk in pulling up your pantyhose or readjusting your tie; pull yourself together before you stand up to greet the hiring manager or enter their office. Avoid a "dead fish" handshake and confidently -- but not too firmly -- grasp your interviewer's hand and make eye contact while saying hello.
Shake your hand, watch yourself
If you are rocking back in your chair, shaking your foot, drumming your fingers or scratching your... anything, you're going to look like your going to look the type of future employee who wouldn't be able to stay focused, if even for a few minutes. It's a not a game of charades, it's a job interview. Here's what to do (and not do).
Don't:
Do:
Say Goodbye Gracefully
After a few well-thought-out questions and answers with your interviewer, it's almost over, but don't lose your cool just yet. Make sure your goodbye handshake is just as confident now as it was going in. Keep that going while you walk through the office building, into the elevator and onto the street.
Once safely in your car, a cab or some other
measurable safe distance from the scene of your interview, it's safe to
let go. You may have aced it, but the last thing you want is some
elaborate end-zone dance type of routine killing all your hard work at
the last moment.
Source: careerbuilder