What Does Your Body Language Say About You?

One of the ways that we all communicate is through our body language. In fact, a study by UCLA revealed that we receive over 55% of information through body language alone. Given that fact, it is important to think about your what your body language says about you during an interview. Preparing for your interview is important, and equally important is learning to control your body language in order to be sure that you are making the best impression.

Here are some tips for good interview body language:

• The handshake- Giving a good handshake is important. Most men know this, but there are still many women who are reluctant to offer their hand for a handshake. A good handshake is firm but not overly gripping. Generally, a good handshake follows this formula- A firm grasp, two pumps and release. Don't hold the handshake longer than a few seconds, but always follow the other persons lead. A good handshake shows that you are a professional and that you mean business.
  
  
• Don't cross your arms or legs- Crossing or folding your arms is often an aggressive gesture. Even in situations where it may not be interpreted as such, it still reflects a closed attitude. Crossing your legs, for men, is also a closed off position. For women, crossing legs at the knee is habit but you may want to try to cross them at the ankle during the interview.
  
  
• Don't fidget- This one is the hardest. When you are nervous, it is natural to fidget. Fidgeting can be a sign of nervousness and insecurity. If you catch yourself doing this during an interview, try your best to stop. To an interviewer, fidgeting is distracting and makes you seem less trustworthy, exactly the opposite of what you want.
  
  
• Pay attention to your chair- In an office environment, many times the interviewer will only have chairs that are extras in the office. That means that they may have wheels and be swivel chairs. Be careful that you don't rock or swivel in the chair. When you are nervous and anxious, it is so easy to do this but it gives a bad impression. Especially if the chair is a little squeaky, this sort of behavior can drive an interviewer nuts.
  
  
• Notice the interviewer's body language- Are they leaning in slightly when they are talking to you? Do they seem interested? Use their body language as a guide to the formality of the interview.
  
  
• Deal with interruptions- If the interviewer is interrupted by a phone call or someone in the office, the polite thing to do is to look away from them and the phone or person. This type of body language signifies that you are giving them privacy to deal with the interruption. Actively paying attention to what they are doing can make you seem nosy.
  
  
• Smile- A smile is the best way to communicate enthusiasm and positivity. No matter how badly you need the job, how nervous you are or how anxious you are about the interview going well, be sure to take a deep breath and smile.

When you pay attention to your body language, you have more control over how you are being perceived. It is hard sometimes when you feel that you have so much riding on a meeting or interview, but it is definitely worth taking the time to consider. Watch other professionals and pay attention to how they use their body to make a point and think of how you can do it as well.

Are you looking for a job in the Philadelphia Area? Take a look at PhillyJobs.

By Melissa Kennedy- Melissa is a 9 year blog veteran and a freelance writer, along with helping others find the job of their dreams, she enjoys computer geekery, raising a teenager, supporting her local library, writing about herself in the third person and working on her next novel.