Body Language

I was giving some tips to one of our granddaughters today about being interviewed for a job. I talked primarily about the importance of body language.

After that phone call, my mind wandered across the years, and some interviews among the hundreds that I have had with prospective team members stood out. For example, the young lady who wore spiky heeled shoes that were obviously new and were rarely worn. She was obviously uncomfortable with the shoes as her feet fidgeted constantly.

I recall a young man who wore no sox to his job interview, and he crossed one leg over the other. I hired that young man and later told him: “Do not dress for the job you have but for the job you are pursuing.”

I have hired some people who were not the most qualified for the open position, but their chemistry matched that of our staff with whom the candidate would be working. 

The interview actually begins when you enter the building, greet the receptionist, and sit down in the waiting room. When I interviewed a candidate, before we began our conversation, I would take the interviewee around the office and introduce her to our staff. After the interview, I would ask our staff things like “Did you have a positive or negative reaction in your brief encounter with the candidate?” “Give me one positive remark and one negative remark about the applicant.”

Body language goes far deeper than fidgeting with your ring or pen, biting your lip, picking at a hang nail, crossing your legs or arms, letting your eyes wander around the room, or smelling like a perfume or cologne bottle.

Here’s my take on the importance of body language in a job interview:

First impressions matter, and your body language plays a crucial role in shaping whether that initial impression will be positive. Body language is more important than your resume or references.

In a job interview, body language is critical for making a good first impression and can have a big impact on the outcome. Aside from vocal responses, the way you present yourself physically reflects confidence, professionalism, and passion. Maintaining good posture, making eye contact, and giving a firm handshake can all indicate that you are engaged and prepared.

Negative body language, such as slouching, avoiding eye contact, or crossing your arms, may indicate apathy or insecurity. Overall, learning positive body language can help reinforce your qualifications and make you a more memorable candidate, complimenting the strengths emphasized in your resume and responses to the interviewer.

Dale Carnegie has penned a lot of good stuff about relationships, and the following quote from his book “How to Win Friends and Influence People” is good advice for not only a job interview, but for life.

“Become genuinely interested in other people.

Smile.

Be a good listener.

Make the other person feel important—and do it sincerely.

No matter what happens be yourself.”