Winning the Interviewing Body Language Game

Everyone uses body language during the interview (whether they realize it or not), but very few think about it in advance and modify their body language to produce the most positive effect. Body language is merely the smaller, less prominent nonverbal cues that we give others while communicating. Following are some interpretations of standard body language cues you may be giving:

• Openness and warmth — open-lipped smiling, open hands with palms visible, unbuttoning coat upon being seated
• Confidence — leaning forward in chair, chin up, putting fingertips of one hand against fingertips of the other hand in "praying," or "steepling" position, hands joined behind back when standing
• Nervousness — smoking, whistling, pinching skin, fidgeting, rubbing fingers against each other, jiggling pocket contents, running tongue along front of teeth, clearing throat, hands touching the face or covering part of the face, pulling at skin, face or ear, running fingers through hair, wringing hands, biting on pens or other objects, twiddling thumbs, biting fingernails (action itself or evidence of), tongue clicking
• Untrustworthy/Defensive — frowning, squinting eyes, tight-lipped grin, arms crossed in front of chest, pulling away, chin down, touching nose or face, darting eyes, looking down when speaking, clenched hands, gestures with fist, pointing with fingers, chopping one hand into the open palm of the other, rubbing back of neck, clasping hands behind head while leaning back in the chair

As you can see, there are far more negatives than positives—possibly more than we are consciously aware of. This list is given not so that you can artificially adopt the positive body language techniques, but more to help you recognize and avoid the negatives. If you have a habit of doing any of the above negatives, remove that action from your pattern of behavior before it sends the wrong signal. Concentrate on removing it now so you will not have to think about it during the interview.

And keep in mind the person on the other side of the desk. As you talk with an interviewer, be aware of (although not preoccupied with) their body language and nonverbal cues. Do not try to read more than is actually being communicated, but try to develop a sense of the interviewer's reception of you. The most obvious example is the smile connection—when your smile brings about a smile from the interviewer. Do your best to stay connected with your interviewer—both verbally and nonverbally.