Build your Perfect Interview Body Languages

Why are body langauges important during an interview?

Studies have shown that body languages convey much more information than words, so be cautious — when you are saying how good you are, your body may betray you, and the interviewer will most likely believe what your body says. According to a highly recognized communication study by Mehrabian, body languages accounts for 55% of the overall message. They significantly affect how interviewers perceive you starting from the moment you walk into the interview room, so knowing the differences between poor and effective body languages and practicing the effective ones are important preparation to get your dream job. Before we get to the sweet stuff, look at the video and notice the differences on you own.

Body Language Do's and Don'ts

Sit Tall, Don't Lean

Your body postures show your attitude. Learning forward is aggressive and shows your are closing off. Leaning back or slouching shows arrogance and laziness. Avoid both! Experts suggests taking a neutral but relaxed position. Make sure you are sitting straight and displaying your neck and chest to show that you’re open.

good posture
bad postures

Shake it, Don't Break it

Give your interviewer a solid grip as you are shaking hands. Finding the middle ground is the best, neither too ferocious nor too weak. Put belongings on your left hands, so your right hand will be ready any minute for a perfect shake. Rememberto wipe off your sweaty hands - warm and dry hands are the best!

good handshake
bad handshakes

Time for a Test Run!

Now you know the differences between good and bad interview-body langauges, Let's give it try in this fun quiz! Select a picture by clicking it.

Develope Effective Body Langauages Skills

Practice Makes Perfect. Now you know what’s good, don’t wait to start developing the good stuff! Here are some ways to help you achieve the perfect body languages on the interview day.

Mock Interview

Schedule a mock interview either online or at the career center if you are a college students. Don't forget to ask for video-taping! By reviewing your performance with the self-evaluation checklist you can what you need to work on. Don't forget to ask the mock interviewer for feedback, because sometimes they may forget to review your body languages when focus more on your answers.

Practice with a friend

If you don't have the time or money to do a mock interview, you have friends! Ask a friend to interview you, and evaluate your performance. It will be much more relaxed with a friend, but at least they can give your some feedback.

Don't Panic, just relax

If you are confident and relaxed at the same time, it's very likely that you are performing the effective body languages. To bring you into the ideal mode, do something relaxing and enjoyable before the interview. Go to the gym, have a good sleep, a nice shower, or whatever that make you relax.

Self-Evaluation Checklist

When you're reviewing your video from mock interviews, or having a friend evaluating your body langaguese, use this checklist as a reference.
SELECT the ones that you have performed successfully and SUBMIT the form to make a progress report for you.