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| Gestures and Posture | Even if you don’t move, your posture still communicates a message. Putting feet up on desk and hands behind the head is saying that you feel confident, dominant or superior; a soldier standing at attention is showing deference to authority and a subordinate who stands rigidly with hands on hips signals defiance or dislike.
Relaxed, balanced postures are signs of a confident candidate. If you are assured, you will hold you body upright, walk freely with your arms swinging and take determined strides. Less-assured candidates, on the other hand, have rigid or stooped postures, drag or shuffle their feet when walking and take short, choppy strides.
Be natural and strive for posture that's as free and natural as your speaking style. Be careful of excessive control of your movements.
Interviewers’ Signs
As well as any other, hiring managers use gestures to convey specific messages. If your interviewer is nodding it means he or she approves what you say and encourages applicants to continue talking. Leaning forward shows they're interested. Folded arms, crossed legs, picking imaginary lint from clothing or running their fingers along their noses signifies that an interviewer disagrees with you. Thumb twiddling, finger drumming and other fidgeting mannerisms mean the interviewer isn't paying attention.
Don’t use similar gestures or betray your nervousness by clenching or wringing your hands. Other actions that convey stress include holding your legs or arms tensely, perching on the edge of a chair or playing with a watch or ring.
The Last Warning
Not every gesture has a hidden meaning. If your interviewer rubs her nose while you're speaking, she may just have an itchy nose. When seeking the meaning to a mannerism, determine the situation in the whole.
Nevertheless, communicating the right nonverbal signals can help you convey an enthusiastic, positive and confident attitude during job interviews. And learning to read interviewers' cues can improve your prospects as well.
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