Fresh Graduates - Body Language Tips for Interviews

What is Body Language anyways?

Success in interviews to a large degree depends on things that are other than how qualified you are technically for the job you are applying. One of those "Other" things is Body Language. Read on to get some vital tips that you can apply instantly.

Landing your dream job, and most importantly your first job can be a defining moment in your life for various reasons. This can be a major confidence booster, which can open many new doors for you. The thrill and adrenaline of giving your best preparation for an interview and getting the fruits of your labor is a memorable experience. Landing your dream job, and most importantly your first job can be a defining moment in your life for various reasons. This can be a major confidence booster, which can open many new doors for you. The thrill and adrenaline of giving your best preparation for an interview and getting the fruits of your labor is a memorable experience. Here, in this article - we will discuss the three most important best practices for maintaining good body language that can help you land that dream job. But before that, let's get some basics right. Body language is the way we communicate with our bodies. These are the non-verbal cues we pass on when we are in an environment surrounded by other people. Most of us pass on these cues subconsciously without realizing it, and at the same time, we pick up cues from another person too and try to make a judgment of other people’s behavior.

Idea in Brief

Through perfecting eye contact, smile, dressing up appropriately and an amiable yet confident body posture, one can be in their best body language mode of communication during interviews.

1. Eye contact and Smile

This is probably the most important cue you can give to your interviewer. Making eye contact exhibits confidence and willingness to engage. It shows you are present and ready for the interview. The purpose of making eye contact is to connect with your interviewer and demonstrate that you can communicate well.

We are not robots, so learn to smile during your interview. Keep it as natural as possible, as if you are having a conversation with a friend. Your facial expressions play an important role to suggest how you feel in that situation. Genuine and naturally smiling, with eye contact during the interview will also put you at ease.

It's one of the most basic social constructs that each and every one of us does. When going for an interview (remote or in person), your body language will play a very critical role. It's one of the factors that play into ‘the likeability factor’ or ‘culture fitment’. We know that skillsets and experience are important, but so is your body language and how you present yourself to come across as a professional.

2. Clean and Sharp clothes

Imagine thinking you aced your interview, but you were dressed clumsy and haphazard. No one gets impressed by clumsiness. It shows a lack of care and sincerity towards the job, and most importantly towards yourself.

So as obvious as it seems, remember what you wear makes a real difference. It's better to keep your clothes prepared the night before.

Wear fitting clothes that bring out your personality, but not tight or loose clothes. You should feel comfortable and feel confident.

3. Body Posture

This one is hard, as this is not something we can inculcate within ourselves in a day, but there are a few things to keep in mind for an interview.

Many of us make gestures with our hands when we talk to someone. It almost feels like we have grown an extra pair of hands, and just don't know what to do with it during an interview. Remember not to present yourself as a closed person and exhibit ‘blocking energy’, by keeping your hands folded or closed. Use your hands freely, which will present you as a confident speaker, but too much use of hand gestures can come across as erratic and unprofessional. Learn to moderate.

Also, keep in mind to sit straight and keep an open posture, slightly leaning forward is good as it suggests openness. Do not spread your legs wide apart or your arms wide apart - this could project dominating energy and can be off-putting especially if your interviewer is a woman. At the same time, do not kneel way forward or sit in a crochet position, which could suggest you are being aggressive or nervous.

Body language in interviews - communicating your presence

Watch your body cues yourself. You may have a habit of biting nails, fidgeting through hair, or other idiosyncrasies. While these are all that are deeply embedded in our personality, make sure you watch out for your body cues and don't ‘fidget’ around with yourself - as it can be distracting for your interviewer. Some other basics seem obvious but you will be surprised how many of us do this, with red flags such as sighing, yawning, or rolling your eyes. These body gestures can suggest you are bored or impatient or disinterested. If you magically forget everything you need to know, remember your mantra should be - give away positive energy, come across as an open-minded person and show real interest in the job and interviewer.