Even if you don’t feel confident, you might give the impression that you are confident.

With corporate offices progressively re-opening following the lockdown, it is possible that we will all be asked to return to the old-fashioned mode of interviewing: in person. The Zoom Times may have sufficed with only wearing a shirt, gazing at the camera, and not farting out loud, but seeing your prospective future boss face to face will necessitate a little more dexterity.

During an interview, your primary goal should be to sell yourself as a confident and capable asset to any firm you are considering joining. But how do you go about doing that?
“When preparing for an interview, one of the most important things a candidate can do is to think about their body language,” says Tanya Luddy, senior recruiter at Broadridge Financial. “Excellent body language demonstrates that a candidate is invested in the organization and eager to learn more about their role within it.”

There are also some frequent red signs to look out for. It sends a negative impression “when candidates adopt a ‘closed-off’ position, such as crossing their arms,” according to Luddy. “Another common mistake is to let your nerves to get the better of you, resulting in your arms or legs shaking violently.”

Here are a few more examples of how you can utilize body language to your advantage during your next interview.

Start off a job interview with a strong first impression.
Consider the fact that the job interview begins as soon as you walk through the door of the building. While you’re waiting for the receptionist, do you tend to gaze down, gnaw your nails, or fuss with your outfit? Please, don’t do that! While you’re sitting, keep an eye out for fidgeting or uncomfortably bouncing your legs. Maintain a straight posture while sitting upright and keeping your legs still. Breathe in and out.

On the subject of respiration, when we’re frightened, we tend to take shallower breaths, which results in our voices sounding wobbly. Taking a few deep breathes can be beneficial, but you don’t want to sound like a hedgehog who just completed a 5K during your interview. Consider using the 4-7-8 technique (breathe in for four seconds, hold for seven, and breathe out for eight) to calm your racing thoughts and your racing respiration before the race begins.

Give a firm handshake (but not too good)
We’ve all heard that a firm handshake is preferable to a soft one since a weak or hesitant handshake might make you appear weak or insecure. There is, however, such a thing as being overly firm. The first message you should send should not be, “Say goodbye to your knuckles, sucka,” or something along those lines. Aim for a happy medium between limp fish and WWE’s The Undertaker in terms of texture and flavor.

(Tip: Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer to get rid of sweatiness on the palms of your hands.)

Maintain eye contact and pay attention to your posture.

Although it may seem apparent, it is worth repeating: Maintain a straight posture. A slump, on the other hand, communicates apathy and a lack of confidence. Keep your chin high and your shoulders down and back. (You already appear to be more capable.)

Also, keep in mind that, despite the fact that it may be uncomfortable at times, maintaining eye contact is essential—especially when the other person is speaking. When it’s your turn, you may occasionally look up and about while trying to think of anything to say; nevertheless, you should always return to meet your interviewer’s eyes. As a last resort, pretend you’re having a conversation with a colleague (minus showing them your favorite memes of the day).

“The successful candidate will maintain eye contact while conversing, as well as maintain good posture with shoulders facing forward and in the middle,” Luddy explains.

Maintain a safe distance between your hands and your face (and smile)
If you have an itch that comes and goes, that’s one thing. However, if you spend a significant amount of time with your hands on or near your face, particularly near your mouth, it may give the impression that you are not confident in what you are saying. When you’re not gesticulating, your hands should be resting on the table. And while we’re at it, let’s not forget about your accessories.

As Luddy recounts, “one a candidate was so worried that she couldn’t stop swirling her fingers through her necklace.” As the interview came to a close, I approached her and attempted to shake her hand, but she was unable to since her hand was stuck in her necklace.” Don’t be like that young lady.
Do not forget to smile; a smile not only expresses warmth, openness, and positivity, but it also has the additional benefit of lowering stress hormones and activating mood-enhancing chemicals in the body. Then there’s the fact that no one wants a coworker who is a dull bump on the log. Arrive the party started before you even get to the interview by flashing some cheesy, phony grins and letting your inner child out to play.

‘The’smize’ is something that should never be underestimated,’ Luddy says. “From time to time, smiling with your eyes is a terrific approach to express confidence.”

Take an active role in listening and experiment with the mirroring approach.

Try not to focus so much mental energy on all of the above that you lose track of what you’re actually hearing. Active listening is an important component of any interview; you may even want to lean forward slightly in your seat to remind yourself to pay closer attention as well as to signal to the interviewer that you are giving them your complete focus during the interview.

Mirroring, or mirroring, another person’s body language, is another subtle yet effective technique to create a sense of closeness. Directly address your interviewer, sit in the same position, and try to mimic the tempo, loudness, and cadence of their speech as closely as possible.