Body Language

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

While some differences occur across cultures and situations, those differences are minuscule. Cultural differences do not related to basic emotions such as fear, love, and intimacy which are essentially true to all people. One unit of body language or cue, in and of itself, is not an accurate indication of the full picture. Body language is additive and multiple cues come together to paint the full picture. One must understand all the body positions to have a clear picture of what a person is thinking and feeling subconsciously.

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.

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.

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.

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.