Without words: During interviews, body language might say more than you realize
When most of us practice for job interviews, we focus on how we’ll answer questions like, “Tell me about yourself,” or “What would you say is your biggest weakness?”
That rehearsal time comes in handy, especially toward the end of the interview when your brain is becoming a bit cloudy. In reality, though, you probably made your first impression 30 minutes earlier — and that impression is going to be what your interviewers remember about you.
“First impressions are key,” says Thomas Lovell, a career coach in Providence, Rhode Island. “And first impressions are summed up by how people present themselves, even during
online interviews.”
To make a great first impression, here are some things to remember.
First things first: The interview starts when you enter the building. It’s likely the interviewer will ask the person at the reception desk how you carried yourself, so count everyone you encounter as someone whose impression of you matters. Enter with your hands at your sides, not in your pockets, and carry yourself confidently.
Don’t focus on yourself: Don’t overthink things. Instead of worrying about every little detail — your hair
hasn’t suddenly pulled itself in 10 different directions since you checked it in the bathroom mirror 10 minutes ago. Think instead about how you can let your interviewer know you’re engaged in what they’re saying.
Practice: Connecting isn’t easy for everyone so be sure to work on your comfort level with small talk and social interactions with others. If you’re practicing with someone, ask them to throw some curveball questions at you so you can learn to react.
Make eye contact: Look into your interviewer’s eyes — not in a creepy, stalker way but in a sincere I-canoccasionally-look-elsewhere-for-asecond way. And don’t stare at their
forehead. That’s not an eye contact trick; that just makes your interviewer feel like they have an ink smudge on their forehead. If you’re online, chat with someone else to make sure your camera is presenting you in your best light. And remember to look at the camera, not the person’s eyes on your screen.
Close the interview properly:
If you’re in person, offer a strong handshake. After all, the handshake isn’t just for the introduction — it’s also a way to thank interviewers for their time. If you’re online, make sure you say goodbye and then disconnect.