What Your Body Language Is Saying During the Interview

What Your Body Language Is Saying During the Interview First impressions mean everything when job seeking.  Your resume makes the ultimate first impression since it introduces you and your skills to a prospective employer.  If your resume makes the impression you hoped for, then youll be called in for an interview where youll now need to make your first in-person impression. What many job seekers dont realize is that although providing the right answers is important, your tiny movements and gestures could say just as much about who you are during this crucial meeting.  Here are six ways that your body language could speak more than your words in an interview: 1. Cracking Body Parts While cracking your knuckles or neck may be normal for you at home, out in public, this could be seen as a nervous tic at least, and at most, a rude gesture.  If it is a nervous tic, its good to ensure the interviewers don’t see you sweat by practicing the interview in the mirror while consciously avoiding the cracks. 2. Fiddling With Loose Items Another nervous tic that some managers could find annoying is your tapping a pen on the table or pulling the cap off and on throughout the interview.  If youre tempted to play with that paper clip or pull the staple out of nearby paper, practice before going to the interview so you dont seem too nervous. 3. Folding Your Arms Did you know that folding your arms sends the message that youre closing yourself off from the person youre speaking with?  Of course, this means youre closing yourself off from the interviewer, which you dont want.  So rather than folding your arms, consider clasping your hands, which is much more polite and open. 4. Leaning Back In Your Chair If youre accustomed to leaning back in your chair, its good to avoid this during your interview since it gives the impression that youre either disinterested in the job or overly relaxed.  Sitting a bit forward in your chair instead shows that youre alert and ready to answer any questions the interviewer may ask you. 5. Swerving In Your Chair While some of the body language on this list constitutes nervousness, swerving in your chair could convey childishness.  Chairs that swerve are meant for convenience, which is why its rare for an adult to move around in them unless theyre spinning around to find an item.  In the interview, theres no reason to swerve, so practice sitting still with your feet planted firmly on the floor instead. 6. Getting In the Interviewers Space Make sure that you dont invade the interviewers space by reaching across the desk or even touching outside of shaking hands.  If you do, you could come across as unprofessional or disrespectful, missing your chance at being hired. Most of us have body language were not aware of, which is okay.  But during an interview, its important to become aware of those movements and what they communicate. For additional tips and advice on resumes and cover letters, follow @GreatResume or visit our blog.