Body language: 12 common mistakes to avoid in a job interview
Research
has shown that the body language at work has a direct effect on the employer's
decision, either to accept or reject, so the judgment is not only on how to
answer the questions asked, but on the body language in large measure and
during the interview, the employer takes a close look at the applicant's body
language as it indicates important indications and signals about the applicant.
According
to a study conducted by Career Builder, Eye Contact, the way you communicate
with it, the handshake and the way to stand, all can help or hinder your
chances of getting the job!
Within the
framework of the same study, nearly 70% of hiring managers stated that failure
to make eye contact during an interview is one of the biggest body language
mistakes at work that job applicants make, while 39% of them found not smiling
at all is one of the biggest mistakes in a job interview...
One of the
reasons for the importance of body language at work is that it may help appoint
a candidate for the job before he even has the opportunity to answer questions,
and this is confirmed by one of the studies that found that more than half of
employers know during the first five minutes of the interview if the candidate
is suitable for the job. or not.
Rosemary
Haefner, HR director for career builder says anxiety can lead to a lot, either
positive or negative, in body language, but being well prepared before a
face-to-face interview will help a lot in removing the anxiety and tension that
body language reveals.
1. How to stand
In a job
interview, standing and leaning back should be avoided because it may reflect
the employer either laziness or arrogance, and it is also not recommended to
lean the body forward because this stance may delude the candidate’s laziness
or aggression from him.
Conversely;
the neutral standing position in a straight linear fashion is best, that is, be
in the middle, not tilted back or forward.
2. Failure to make
eye contact
It is very
important when you are in front of employers to make eye contact while speaking
and listening so that you confirm your participation in the conversation, but
not to the point of staring.
Not holding
eye contact, such as avoiding looking and distracting him in other things in
the room is one of the biggest mistakes committed in a job interview, as it
shows a lack of interest or an uncontrolled personality that greatly limits the
candidate's chances of success.
3. Not to smile
Another
mistake that the candidate commits and is not aware of his negative impact on
his file is entering the interview with a frowning face and not smiling at
all, perhaps thinking that it reflects his serious character, but in the end,
who will want to work with an angry person whose smile never rises above him?
4. Playing with an
object on the table
Playing
with an object on the table, such as clicking on a pen or similar gestures, is
a mistake that reflects a candidate’s weak body language, a sign of anxiety and
tension, and can be interpreted as a lack of preparation for an interview.
5. Excessive
movement of negative signs in body language at work
Hiring
managers do not see the candidate’s excessive movement, such as difficulty
sitting or hitting the foot on the ground, as a positive thing at all. On the
contrary, they consider it a mistake that cannot be committed in a job
interview and indicates tension and lack of control over emotions.
Unfortunately,
you may make moves every now and then during a job interview when you don't
realize it like biting nails while you are nervous, so try to conduct a mock
interview with a friend so he can inform you of any gestures you make.
6. The arms square
Squaring
the arms across the chest will make you appear defensive and aggressive, so
it's no wonder 32% of HR managers agree that it's a mistake you shouldn't make
on a job interview.
7. Touching the
face
28% of
hiring managers think that playing with hair or touching the face in a job
interview is completely unacceptable. While the former might make you look
really childish, the second reflects something worse than that.
Experts say
that touching the face, especially the nose, is usually interpreted as an
indication of deception or maneuvering and lying.
8. Weak handshake
is a big mistake!
A weak
handshake is much worse than a very strong handshake, with more than 25% of HR
managers seeing a weak handshake as a serious mistake in body language.
Not wanting
to give a firm handshake and the hiring manager sees it as a sign of lack of
commitment and discipline, which will negatively affect the rest of the
interview.
9. Use a lot of
hand gestures
13% of
hiring managers say that using too many hand gestures when speaking in a job
interview is a mistake that should not be made.
The more
gestures, the more they get out of hand. The key in the interview is balance,
so too much movement may harm you more than it helps.
10. Talk
interrupting
Charisma
coach Cynthia Burnham says interrupting a hiring manager's speech or directing
suggestions can bridge the distance in an aggressive way.
11. Expressions do
not match
If your
accent does not match your facial expression, you will find yourself in a
particularly bad position in a job interview, so make sure that your facial
expressions translate what you say identically so that it has credibility.
Where
hiring managers find it difficult to understand some people's facial
expressions and not verify that they are smiling or upset, for example.
12. The eyes look
dispersed
Distracted
eye movements can indicate that the candidate is lying or unsure of himself. It
is important to look at the hiring manager directly in his eye to convey
confidence and certainty.
After
reviewing these facts, you are undoubtedly aware of what true communication is
between individuals, and you are aware that some simple behaviors are able to
cover your life in the most beautiful colors, learn body language, refine your
body language, use it to your advantage and enjoy listening to the bodies
around you.
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