What should be the ideal body language in interview
What is Body Language?
Body language is a manner or method of human communication, either written or spoken, consisting of gesture, appearance, use of words in conventional way.
What are the elements of body language in interview?
▶ Clothes
- Dressing well is not the same as wearing expensive clothes. Clothes should ideally express your personality while being appropriate for the occasion. They should also be comfortable. Otherwise, you are likely to spend your time fiddling with a tight belt, or a tight collar, which will give a very negative impression.
- In formal situations, you should be dressed neatly and your hair should also be neat. In interviews, you should dress in a way that is appropriate to the company you are meeting. For example, a multi-national company may be looking for someone who is comfortable with a global culture. A management position would demand neat, formal clothes. If you are giving an interview with a media house, or an advertising company, then you may prefer to wear clothes which express an imaginative side to your personality as individualism is more appreciated in such professions.
- Do some homework, if possible, about the profile of the company you are hoping to join. Then dress in clothes that fit in with that profile.
▶ Standing, walking and sitting
- You should always give the impression of confidence. Walk straight, sit straight and stand in a comfortable stance. Some people have the habit of fidgeting with things when they are standing or sitting. This always gives the impression of being nervous or distracted. Avoid such habits.
- Never tap with your fingers or with your feet when you are standing or sitting. It is very annoying for those who are looking at you. It also conveys a sense of nervousness or a person who is very agitated or tense most of the time. Give the impression of being relaxed, confident and able to tackle all situations without losing your head.
- Certain gestures are read in particular ways. For example, if you sit or stand with your arms crossed across your chest, it gives the idea that you are a closed person, not willing to listen to others or work with others. It may suggest that you are a negative person – not a person a company would be keen to recruit.
- Do not stand with your hands on your hips. It conveys an impression that you are a very aggressive person and may inhibit others.
- When standing or sitting, do not cross and uncross your legs frequently. This too gives the impression of nervousness and generates a negative feeling about you.
- If you do not stand straight, but lean on something, it conveys an attitude of casualness. It implies that you are not alert. Again, it conveys a negative attitude.
- When you are sitting in a chair, do not sit on the edge. This gives the impression of nervousness. Sit back in a comfortable position to show your level of confidence. Do not, however, lean back too much or slouch. That can give the impression of casualness. Make sure that your body position is open, that is, that your body is facing the speaker or speakers when you speak or when you listen.
► Facial gestures
- Your eyes are the most important part of your face. Always look at whoever is speaking. When speaking, look at the face or the eyes of the person whom you are addressing. If you look away, or look down, it often gives the impression that you are hiding something, even if you are not.
► Hand gestures
- Most of us use hand gestures when we speak. This is quite natural. However, too many hand gestures are distracting and are often inappropriate in formal situations. For example, avoid running your fingers through your hair. Try not to scratch yourself. It usually looks very rude.
- Identify whether you have any other gestures that you may use even unconsciously. Ask members of your family or your friends to point them out to you. Most of us do have gestures and habits that we are not even aware of. Try to avoid them in situations like job interviews, or meetings. However, do not replace too many gestures with no hand gestures, as that often seems very artificial and wooden. Be natural.
▶ Indicate interest with verbal and non-verbal gestures
- Not only when you are speaking, but also when you are listening, make sure that you are looking at the other person. Nod or make sounds which indicate your interest in what is being said. If you do not look at the person speaking, it is often seen as an indication that you are uninterested and uninvolved in what is being said.
▶ Shaking hands

- In a formal situation, you may be expected to shake hands with a stranger, or someone you do not know very well. Then you should ensure that your hands are dry and clean. Wet, sweaty or unclean hands are sure to anger or annoy the other person.
- Your handshake should be brief and firm. Limp hands and fingers are supposed to reveal a weak personality.
- Too strong a squeeze of the other person’s hand indicates an aggressive personality. Usually this is seen as a challenge to the other person’s authority.
▶ First greetings
- It is usually also alright to convey greetings when you are first introduced to a person. However, this should be done with poise, grace and confidence. If it seems like a forced gesture, then it will look rather silly. You may like to practice this gesture in front of a mirror.
▶ Facial expression
- Look at yourself in the mirror and practice facial expressions. Remember that we look at other people’s faces for clues to their reactions and their moods. We are always very sensitive to the expressions on the faces of people close to us. If you meet the Principal of your college with some problem, for example, you will try to understand how she/he received you and your proposal by trying to read her/his facial expression. Did she/he smile? Did she/he frown? Did she/he look interested? Did she/he look bored?
- Similarly, others will also try to read your responses/moods/character from your facial expressions.
- Try to keep a pleasant expression on your face. When you smile, make it a genuine smile, not merely a meaningless pull of facial muscles. A false smile, as you may have felt too, gives the impression that the person is a hypocrite or liar.
- Do not frown at people, especially at a job interview.
You May Like to Read More:
- Scope to Make Career in Computer Science Engineering
- Eiffel Excellence Scholarship Programs
- How to Get UK Student Visa
- How to Write Cover Letter for Job Application
- How to Get Scholarships to Study Abroad
- How to Improve Vocabulary in English
Career Opportunities
- Career Opportunities in Nursing
- Career Opportunities in Chemistry
- Career in Aerospace Engineering
- Career in Agriculture Engineering
- How to Become an Air Hostess
English Literature
- Harry Potter and the Philosopher’ Stone Story
- Most Famous Quotes from Macbeth
- The Romantic Period in English Literature
English Essay