What is Your Interview Body Language Saying?

Interviews can be a stressful ordeal. It feels like everything from the experience on your resume to your interview outfit are being scrutinized and evaluated. And often, interviewers really are looking at ever little detail. But one of the biggest communicators during an interview may be something that isn't said at all. Your body language often communicates much more than anything you may say. Check out these body language mistakes to see what message you might be communicating in an interview.

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• Posture. Your posture actually says quite a lot. Leaning forward comes off as aggressive while sitting back seems lazy or arrogant. Thankfully there is a happy middle, literally. Sitting up tall in a more neutral position, while it may not feel the most natural, is the ideal posture to impress your interviewer.
• Hands. Not knowing what to do with your hands is often people’s biggest downfalls in interviews. Refrain from leaving them in your pockets or behind your back, making you look stiff and unapproachable. Instead, gesture with them in a natural and conversational way to reinforce what you are actually saying.
• Eyes. Eye contact is particularly important but can be tricky. Distracted eye movements often make it seem like someone isn't being truthful but staring comes off as aggressive and uncomfortable. Instead, make natural eye contact and avoid quick shifts in eye movements like looking down or away suddenly.
• Hair. Playing with your hair is a common and unconscious thing that many women do. Whether it’s a nervous tick or a distraction, it often comes off as unprofessional. The best way to avoid this diversion is to simply wear your hair back for your interview.

A surefire way to know if you are making any of these mistakes is to practice! By video recording a mock interview and reviewing it, you can see how your body language is coming across. Don’t let the great things you’re saying be overshadowed by the messages your body language is conveying.

Are You Fluent In Body Language?

Communication extends far beyond what we say in conversation with one another. Our posture, facial expressions and overall physical appearance sends messages that often speak louder than words. Not having a firm grasp on the language you subconsciously use everyday puts you at a huge disadvantage. While you may be communicating one thing verbally, your body may be sending a completely different message.

As public relations professionals, we may find ourselves preparing to speak in front of others on our client's behalf. On the contrary, we may find ourselves preparing our client to address the public or media. It is crucial that this preparation include mention of body language. The right words delivered in the wrong manner could just have easily gone unsaid.

PR Daily recently posted an article on 10 body language tips every speaker should know. Before you or your client deliver a message in front of as audience, consider these tips to brush up on your body language.

1. Making direct eye contact with the audience forces them to pay attention, and makes you seem more likable. Looking down or at a prepared speech can come off an inauthentic.

2. Vary your hand gestures to keep the audience's attention, especially if you are delivering a longer speech or presentation.

3. Positive gestures will reinforce a positive mood, and make the audience feel more positive as well! Smiling or showing a "thumbs up" after staying something good are positive gestures that the audience will respond well to.

4. Do not confine yourself to a podium or mic stand, make use of all of the space provided to you. Walking around and using space keeps the audience engaged by physically giving them something to follow: you!

All of these tips should be taken in context. Gauge your audience, determine how they are responding to you and make necessary adjustments. For the full list of tips, read PR Daily's Article featuring a downloadable infographic,

Body Language Basics

When you first meet someone, whether they are a colleague, acquaintance, or potential friend, body language plays a huge role. When you first shake someone's hand or observe their stance, you instantly judge them. Limp handshake? Shy. No eye contact? Not confident. In under a second, you can earn yourself an assumption without even saying "hi." Below are some common body language mistakes to avoid and how to fix them:

No eye contact: Many people make this mistake when speaking to someone. Not being able to maintain steady eye contact signifies uneasiness and projects a feeling of untrustworthiness to others. Good eye contact means that you are interested, engaged and reliable.

Arm crossing: Crossing your arms can come across as defensive or not open to new ideas. Uncrossing your arms will make you seem more open and inviting to acquaintances.

Dressing messy: In the professional arena in general, dressing untidily isn't recommended by any means. Dressing messily comes across as careless and can be an indicator of how you are as a professional.

Looking at your smartphone: This is a hard one, but glaringly challenging as we as a society become more and more dependent on technology. Checking out your phone while you're talking to someone is rude and can make someone feel like their conversation is uninteresting.

Clock watching: This is a bad habit of mine. Glancing at the clock every two seconds is distracting and can make people feel as though you are itching to leave and that you have more important places to be.

Are you guilty of any of these? Do you have any more to add? Let us know!