How can you use body language to ace your next job interview?

1 Make a good first impression

The first few seconds of your interaction with the interviewer can set the tone for the rest of the conversation. You want to make a positive and professional impression, so pay attention to your posture, handshake, eye contact, and smile. Stand up straight, avoid slouching or fidgeting, and walk with purpose. Give a firm but not too tight handshake, and look the interviewer in the eye. Smile genuinely, and show that you are happy to be there.

3 Avoid negative signals

Some body language habits can send negative signals to the interviewer, and undermine your credibility or likability. You want to avoid these habits as much as possible, such as crossing your arms, touching your face, looking away, or checking your phone. Crossing your arms can make you seem defensive or closed-off, touching your face can indicate that you are nervous or lying, looking away can suggest that you are bored or distracted, and checking your phone can show that you are rude or disrespectful.

4 Use gestures wisely

Gestures can help you emphasize your points, express your emotions, and demonstrate your confidence. However, you don't want to overdo them or use them inappropriately. You want to use gestures that are natural, relevant, and moderate. For example, you can use your hands to illustrate a concept, show a direction, or count a number. You can also use your palms to show openness, honesty, or agreement. But avoid gestures that are too big, too small, too fast, or too slow, as they can distract or confuse the interviewer.

5 Control your voice and breathing

Your voice and breathing are also part of your body language, and they can affect how you sound and feel in an interview. You want to use your voice and breathing to convey confidence, clarity, and calmness. You can do this by speaking at a moderate pace, volume, and tone, avoiding filler words, pauses, or ums, and using intonation and inflection to add variety and interest. You can also control your breathing by taking deep and regular breaths, relaxing your shoulders and jaw, and exhaling slowly.

6 End on a high note

The last impression you make on the interviewer is also important, as it can influence their decision and memory of you. You want to end the interview on a high note, by using body language to express gratitude, enthusiasm, and confidence. You can do this by smiling, shaking hands, maintaining eye contact, and thanking the interviewer for their time and opportunity. You can also restate your interest in the job and the company, and ask about the next steps or follow-up.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?