Body Language Interview Questions And Answers

Some of the important points to consider regarding your body language during the interview time is:

► Relax
► Not too relaxed!
► Posture
► Don't Lose Eye Contact
► Sitting
► Before the interviewer arrives
► Pleasantness

The interview is one of the most important meetings in one's life and being nervous or apprehensive about an interview is only expected. However, make sure that any kind of nervousness or low confidence body language is not highlighted or communicated to the interviewer. It will not make a favorable impression.

Of course, you should not appear overly relaxed, projecting an image of a person with a poor work-attitude.

A slouched posture or a bored expression is a sure shot factor that will put off the interviewer. A slouched individual comes across as a person who is lazy, or doesn't care too much about life in general. While walking and standing, make sure that you stand straight and do not show any kind of lethargic body language.

Eye contact is another important part of the job interview body language; a very tricky aspect. When it comes to eye contact, make sure that you hold the gaze of anyone who holds yours. But, your eye contact should not intimidate someone. Also, the proper eye contact varies, depending on the gender of the person who is being looked at. Never try to lose eye contact with someone who is speaking to you. Losing eye contact gives the idea that you are not confident about the conversation or in yourself. Avoid looking all around the room, or focusing on anything other than the interviewers.

Make sure that you do not place your elbows on the table in such a way that you appear to be resting your head on the table. This again is a position that is frowned upon in corporate meetings. In the same manner, do not put your hands under the tables as if you are hiding or fidgeting with something. If you are sitting in the interview room before the interviewer arrives, make sure that you do not slouch into the chair or sit with your legs crossed over each other. Your goal is to appear relaxed, yet dignified.

Where ever you are assigned to wait before your interviewer arrives, make sure that you are always calm and collected. You should not be in any private area of the room; clearly you may spend the time reading plaques and diplomas or periodicals. Clearly, the door could open at any unexpected moment, but it is also possible that you are under observation unbeknownst to you.

When it comes to social interaction, one of the most important aspects is a pleasant air about oneself. People should feel that you are a pleasant personality who is accessible to the right people at the right time. However, at the same time, the interviewer should not feel that you are immature or easy go lucky with your attitude towards life.

If only were we were all as easy to read as children are. They express their feelings in a very open and obvious way. They don't hold anything back which means their gestures are bigger, more expressive and are therefore easier to read.

Teenagers quickly become aware that it requires some stealth in order to do the things that grown-ups do and get away with them. However, they soon discover that they are not having as much success as they would like, because adults can tell if they are concealing something. So teenagers then swiftly adopt diversion tactics to avoid being put on the spot.

Adult body language causes the most concern because the gestures are much smaller, delicate and quicker. They are more refined and they look polite. Most of the gestures seem part of everyday life. To be able to read them accurately and consistently takes some practice.

Nothing contributes more to an impression of confidence than good posture - so make a conscious effort to walk with your head high and shoulders back, and sit with a straight back (while remaining relaxed and natural). You don't want to skulk into an interview with stooped shoulders and your head down, then slouch down in your chair - you might as well be wearing a sign saying, 'I don't deserve this job.

We've all heard about the importance of a firm handshake, and this oft-repeated advice still holds true. There's something decidedly unimpressive, if not distinctly creepy, about the dead fish handshake; just don't try to overcompensate with a bone-crushing handshake that will make your interviewer wince in pain.

The ability to maintain eye contact is another indicator of confidence, honesty and openness. Staring at the floor or ceiling will make you appear lacking in confidence, distracted and like you're not listening - or perhaps like you don't even care. Also be aware of too many sidelong glances, which can make you look shifty. Astute observers of body language can apparently detect liars from their eye movements (such as looking up and to the right), as well as other body language giveaways.
Eye contact can be maintained for up to 10 seconds, but it's important not to stare too intently - that will just creep your interviewer out.

Maintain an open but professional stance and sitting position. Don't sit on the edge of your chair but instead sit up straight, leaning slightly forward and with your hands relaxed in front of you. Cross your legs at the ankles or keep both feet on the floor (crossing your legs may come across as too casual). Also be sure not to cross your arms, as that will make you appear closed and defensive.

No matter how nervous you may be feeling, try not to fidget in your chair or with your hands. It's highly distracting and will make you look not only nervous, but possibly cagey. Don't touch your hair, face, neck or mouth, or play with your jewelry, cuff-links or handbag. Maintaining an air of relaxed calmness will give the most favorable impression.

Interviews are a serious business, but that's no reason not to smile. Smiling will show that you're relaxed and confident, as well as generally pleasant. No one wants to work with a dour sourpuss.

Keep in mind that there's a difference between a forced smile and a natural one, so as much as you can, try to relax and smile as naturally as possible. A natural smile involves all your facial muscles, including your eyes, while a forced one will move your mouth but leave your eyes unmoved. Either that or you've overdone it with the bot-ox.

Deep breathing will help you relax and prevent you from appearing breathless and nervous. Try to breathe deep into your diaphragm instead of just shallowly into your chest. You'll be surprised by how much this will help to calm and ground you.

Drink some water (bring a bottle with you) before you go into the interview room so your mouth isn't too parched. It's hard to speak confidently, or speak at all, when your mouth is as dry as the Atacama Desert.

Body language can communicate more about your personality than your answers to job interview questions. Negative body language is fairly obvious.
► Don't roll your eyes.
► Don't slouch or look bored.
► Don't sit there shaking uncontrollably.

► Keep your legs straight out in front of you. Do not cross them.
► Keep your arms on the table in front of you. Gently interlock fingers.
► Lean just slightly forward to look less stiff.
► Copy your interviewer's posture when in doubt.
► Legs Slightly Apart/Together.
► Lean Slightly Forward.
► Hands in Front.
► Copy Your Interviewer.

If you are unsure of what to do with your hands, rest them, loosely clasped in your lap or on the table in front of you.
Control your hands by being aware of what you are doing with them.

Speaking in a clear and controlled voice conveys confidence.
Avoid speaking in a monotone by varying your tone and pitch, however don't overdo it and come across as overly excited or emotional.
Breathe and pause before answering a question, this gives you time to react in a considered way and it ensures that the interviewer has finished the question.

Watch for these interview body language signals from your interviewer to read the message they are sending you.
Body language cues that can indicate boredom include resting head on hand, fiddling with hands and losing eye contact. If this happens wrap up what you are saying and move on by asking the interviewer a question such as:
"Is there anything else you would like to know about that topic?"
Drumming fingers and rubbing the face can indicate irritation. Clarify that you are answering the question with the information they want and not frustrating them with an off-the-point response.

The Body Language Project is the culmination of more than a decade of study on body language. Namely, it currently encompasses an ebook on dating Body Language Project: Dating, Attraction and Sexual Body Language, a 450+ word dictionary and (coming soon) a gigantic ebook on body language covering every aspect of body language for all facets of life; from business, to personal life. BLP is ever expanding to be the foremost source of body language on the web.