Your guide to using body language to succeed in your next job interview.

from your head to your toesInterview tips

Many job applicants spend hours writing their résumé, rehearsing their interview responses and polishing their

appearance, but very few spend time refining their most important communicative tool, their body language!

Don’t let a slack handshake or poorly timed smile undo all your hard work. Learn how to master your body language from top to

toe with these 7 great tips!

Your handshake is a great way to make a solid first impression.

1.Impress them with

your handshake

HandshakeWipe your hands subtly before entering the room, and remember to shake hands with all panellists. Aim for a measured, firm grip that is not limp but not a death grip either! Two to 3 pumps up and down is enough, as lingering handshakes can seem a little creepy! If you think your handshake could do with some improvement, check out these handy tips on the art of the handshake.

2.Be conscious of your

eye contact

We all know that looking someone in the eye is a great way to engage in the conversation, but how much eye contact is too much?

Eye contactTry looking the interviewer in the eye for a few seconds at a time to avoid staring blankly. If you’re interviewing with a panel, try to make eye contact with all your interviewers at least once or twice throughout each of your responses. Start by acknowledging the panellist who asked the question and then acknowledge the other panellists at the table.

From head to toe, effective body language can help you

send the right message in an interview.

Smiling is a great way to show friendliness and build rapport, but be careful not to sit through the whole interview grinning from ear to ear. This can actually be a little off-putting for the interviewer!

3.Think about the

timing of your smile

Your smileTry to smile at appropriate times, such as when you first meet your interviewer, reciprocating a smile, when talking about areas of the job you’re excited about, and at the end of the interview when thanking them for their time.

Getting the balance right between looking stiff and uptight or slack and slouchy can be tricky.

4.What message is your

posture sending?

PostureYou are not a robot. It is natural for your nervous energy to filter through your body and you will need to be careful not to let it take over. Try to maintain your posture in a relaxed way, allowing your shoulders to rest naturally. Holding tension in your shoulders will show through the rest of your body and have an impact on how you feel and how you interact with your interviewer. An open posture will send a positive message to your interviewers.

PostureTry not to cross your legs or fold your arms, as this can make you appear closed off or defensive. If this is something you tend to do out of habit, try crossing your legs at the ankle instead of the knees. This will let you quickly and discretely switch legs or re-position if you become uncomfortable, without looking unsettled and disrupting the flow of the interview. If you have a tendency to fold your arms, try gently clasping your hands on the desk in front of you.

From head to toe, effective body language can help you

send the right message in an interview.

Using hand gestures is a great way to reinforce key points you want to make and to show that you feel comfortable and confident in what you’re saying.

5.Back yourself with

hand gestures

Hand gesturesHand gestures can utilise nervous energy in a positive way. Just be sure not to go overboard, or gesture above your collarbone, as this can make you appear angry and over the top. Keeping your gestures measured and at waist level shows you are centred, calm and controlled.

We all have our habits when it comes to fidgeting, whether it’s clicking a pen, playing with your hair or jewellery or even tapping on the desk. While in an everyday setting these small gestures might not seem important, in a job interview they can quickly become distracting and give the impression that you’re nervous, disinterested or under-prepared.

6.Avoid fidgeting

Avoid fidgetingTry practising ways to keep yourself focused without these habits or at least try to minimise how often these small habits occur throughout your interview.

Tip: Film yourself or practice in a mirror, as sometimes these habits have become behavioural and you might not even be aware of what you’re doing, or of the message you may be projecting.

From head to toe, effective body language can help you

send the right message in an interview.

Sometimes you might not get the chance to meet your interviewer in person, but body language is still important during phone interviews.

7.Phone interview? How

you look is still important

BackgroundYour demeanour and posture can still have an effect on your voice, tone and energy, so try standing up and moving around a little to keep yourself focused. Take your interview seriously and dress up as if you were meeting in person. Using hand gestures and smiling at the right times will also come across during phone interviews, so it’s still important to use them.

Consider any distractions and background noises before the phone interview begins and if you are using Skype, consider the quality of the connection and what can be seen in your background. If possible, using Skype is a good alternative to phone interviews because it gives you the opportunity to read the interviewer’s body language and to demonstrate your eagerness with good posture and a smile.

From head to toe, effective body language can help you

send the right message in an interview.

To help you keep track of these tips for your next interview, here’s your very own checklist:

Hold eye contact with interviewers for a few seconds at a time

Smile at appropriate times

Sit up straight, but relaxed

Give a firm handshake for 2–3 pumps

Use hand gestures at waist level

Try not to fidget

Cross your legs at the ankle

Be conscious of your body language even if the interviewer can’t see you

Be yourself

While these tips are a great place to start, the key to effective non-verbal communication is understanding your body language habits and then refining them so

that you can be yourself in a job interview without undermining your skills or professionalism.

CRICOS: QLD00244B NSW02225M TEQSA: PRV12081 29.2.2 11.2016 Graphics © Shutterstock Photos © USQ Online Marketing

social.usq.edu.au

By being mindful of your movements, both big and small, you’ll be able to use body language effectively to send the right message and succeed in your next job interview. Now that you’ve got the job interview body language down pat, check out these tips on how to dress to impress.

For more on how to succeed during your next interview, contact the Career Development team at Student Services.

Online usq.edu.au or visit the CareerHub

On-campus Toowoomba +61 7 4631 2372 stsv@usq.edu.au Springfield +61 7 3470 4400 studentservicesspringfield@usq.edu.auIpswich +61 7 3470 4400 studentservicesspringfield@usq.edu.au