How to Show Confidence in an Interview
Now that you’ve polished your resume and practiced a little bit of ego inflation , you’re ready for your interview. You probably have the answers to the most common questions and maybe even a new new suit, but there’s one more thing to keep in mind: your body language.
Here are some interview tips from body language experts to help you sound confident, make a good first impression, and get the job.
Eye contact…
Especially when you’re first introduced. It might sound obvious, but according to hiring managers, refusing to look you in the eye is the number one mistake people make.
That’s why it’s important: One study found that people who consistently make eye contact are considered smarter than those who don’t. If you’re going to a one-on-one interview, it’s easy to do. Maintain eye contact with the speaker during the group interview.
… but not too much
However, don’t overdo it (this is, you know, creepy). Instead, throughout the interview, look at “different parts of someone’s face every two seconds, rotating from eyes to nose and lips so you never bore the interviewer’s eyes,” says Mashable body language expert Dr. Lillian Glass. …
Be a wannabe
Body language expert Patti Wood tells Business Insider that “it should feel like you’re ‘dancing’ with the other person when speaking,” otherwise you may not seem involved or outgoing. “So if your interviewer leans forward in his chair and puts his hands on the table, feel free to do the same,” BI said. “Most likely, he will not notice that you are copying him.” We wrote about this in more detail here .
Watch for hand signals
Showing your palms speaks of sincerity and engagement, while folding your fingers speaks of confidence.
On the other hand (ahem), tapping your fingers indicates impatience, while crossing your arms suggests that you are wary or frustrated. “When we feel threatened, our natural instinct is to cover up and protect ourselves,” says Andy Mangum, a faculty member of the Speech Communication Faculty at Brookhaven College , Dallas, reports Fast Company . You want not to be pushed into it.
Nod
Head nodding during an interview is a simple and effective way to show that you are attentive and engaged in the conversation. Add a smile to let the interviewer know that you are excited about the presence and that you are optimistic about the job and the company.
This is something to think about a lot, but don’t let it take too much during your interview. Prepare yourself, be confident, and focus on answering the interviewer’s question and you will be fine.