How closely do you pay attention to your interview body language? Do you sit up straight? Are your arms crossed or folded in your lap? Do you lean forward or sit back in your seat?
These little details might elude you, but these actions send non-verbal cues to recruiters and influence how they differentiate multiple candidates for a single role. Interview body language is very important in communication and should not be ignored.
You might be losing points and alienating hiring managers without knowing it, so we’re here to help. Our team has been in the recruitment industry for years, and we have pulled together a mountain of tips about interview body language to help you nail your next interview.
Interview Body Language Tips for Success
Here are some of the most relevant tips to ensure that you don’t give off the wrong impression during your interview:
Interview Body Language Tip #1: Don’t Cross Your Arms (Or Your Legs)
According to studies on body language and psychology, crossing your arms is a gesture of defensiveness. It also gives off the sign that the person is not confident or that they don’t want to be there. These are all negative signs to give off, especially during an interview.
Many people (women, especially) cross their legs at the knees, but since that can get tiring after a while (and also be hard to get out of quickly), we would suggest crossing your legs at the ankles instead. You can swap over to the other side easily and also have the flexibility to plant both feet on the ground when needed.
This is less distracting and can help the recruiter to focus on your words, not your actions. Note that crossing your legs, as with your arms, actually shows defensiveness as well.
Interview Body Language Tip #2: Lean Forward, But Sit Straight
Maintaining this posture can be slightly hard to do because many people tend to slouch when they lean forward.
We recommend that you sit all the way back in the seat. Let your back touch the backrest, and try to make sure that you can feel the contact from your mid-back down.
You can then lean slightly forward as it shows that you’re interested in what the recruiter is saying. We’ve had many interviewees who lean back too much (and then cross their arms as well!), and that gives off the vibe that they’re looking to leave as soon as possible. When that happens, recruiters are bound to find it off-putting.
Interview Tip #3: Make Sure You Know What Job You’re Interviewing For
Of course, you should research the role before you turn up to the interview; but also make sure you know what your day-to-day activities for the role will entail.
In the F&B industry, for example, you’ll be on your feet all day, so recruiters tend to look out for people who look uncomfortable standing for long periods. What this equals in an interview situation is:
- Candidates who have a limp (If you hurt your foot/leg, reschedule the interview. Recruiters don’t know if this limp is temporary or permanent.)
- Candidates who keep shifting awkwardly in their shoes
- Candidates who keep touching their faces (clean hands are the backbone of the F&B industry!)
Interview Body Language Tip #3: Don't Fidget or Stare
Direct eye contact when speaking is important as it shows confidence. Naturally, we try to avoid looking at things we’re afraid of or are nervous about.
In an interview context, eye contact should be natural without widening your gaze too much. It should be relaxed but at the same time enough to connect with the interviewer.
“Once I interviewed a candidate who, for the whole interview, never looked me in the eye as we conversed. He was staring at the table most of the time, so, needless to say, we did not see eye to eye,” recalls Emmanuel Crouy, CEO and Co-Founder of GrabJobs.
Incessant fidgeting can also come off as more than a nervous tic, so direct your energy into other forms of movement (like gesturing, for example, or crossing your ankles). At the same time, ensure that you’re invested by shifting your gaze to other parts of the recruiter’s face instead of looking down at the floor.
Use GrabJobs to Take Your Job Search to the Next Level
If you’re looking for more job interview tips or more roles to apply to, visit GrabJobs for all of your job search resources! Check out our blog for more great insights.
