Interview? Watch that body language

You’ve heard a lot spoken of body language and how it influences other people’s perception of us. Behavioral researchers even draw parallels between our confidence levels based on how we use, or how we do not use power stances.

 But beyond the often talked about crossing of arms to signal defensiveness, what other cues should we be aware of to ensure at the very least, we are not saying one thing and acting another way?

Shows of anxiety

There are certain habits we practice because we are so used to them that we do not even realize it, they are highly instinctive and could come off as nervous tics. These include playing with our hair, rubbing arms, biting lips and cracking knuckles.

 As much as it may feel uncomfortable or unnatural to leave your hands still at your side or motionless on the desk, resist the urge to fidget.

 Unless you are the person who the focus is on, it is also quite distracting to the other people in, say a meeting, to sit next to someone who is constantly cracking their knuckles or wringing their hands.

Use your hands

On the contrary, if you’re speaking or making a presentation, standing with your hands motionless could make you come across as stiff and uncomfortable. There are people who contend that using your hands to gesture makes people listen to you more intently.

 If you are sitting, ensure your hands are always visible and above the table as it psychologically evokes trust in the people who we are speaking with, an evolutionary instinct.

However, remember that everything should be done in moderation including the use of hand motions. If anticipating a presentation, ensure you have minimal jewelery on and your pieces are not jangling against each other and therefore distracting your audience away from your message. Similarly, hand gestures should be measured and unless the occasion calls for a dramatic effect, avoid gesticulating wildly.

Nodding and smiling

Both nodding and smiling are encouraging gestures when having a conversation. They say, “I am interested, tell me more, explain.” However, too much of both can come across as a show of nervousness and should only be used at appropriate intervals.