A firm but painless,
palm-to-palm handshake is a
good way to launch an
interview. Combine that with
a genuine smile, direct eye
contact and a clear "Thank
you for seeing me", and
you're off to a good start.
To make your handshake work,
offer your hand by holding
it straight out with your
thumb raised so you get a
good grip. Walk with energy,
stand up straight, keep your
shoulders back and your chin
raised. As you make eye
contact take a few seconds
to notice the colour of the
other person's eyes. This
will help you to hold eye
contact rather than just
giving a quick glance. Look
pleased to be there rather
than nervous and hesitant.
Confidence and poise count.
Smile
Did you know that the
majority of people forget to
smile during an interview?
It's the most common mistake
that interviewees make. When
you are stiff and uptight,
smiling just doesn't come
naturally. So relax and
lighten up. Be friendly and
open with your interviewer,
not formal and controlled.
Look for opportunities to
smile such as when talking
about your accomplishments
or your people skills. Hold
your smile for a few seconds
to make sure it registers
with the interviewer.
Chances are you'll discover
that they're smiling too.
It's a great way to build
rapport and it's a natural
relaxer. Close the interview
the same way you started it,
with a smile, a handshake
and a heartfelt "Thank-you!"
Eye Contact
Take your cues from the
interviewer, and match the
amount of eye contact you
make with theirs. Break away
occasionally when they do,
or when you feel too
uncomfortable. Don't stare!
You can look at the
interviewer's hands,
something on their desk or
even over their shoulder
from time to time.
Anytime you are asked a
question that may have a
negative answer, it is
important that you look the
interviewer straight in the
eye and give them a direct
answer. This would include
questions like, "Why did you
leave that job?" or "Why
were you not promoted?" Your
honesty will help to earn
the interviewer's respect.
Posture
The way you sit, walk and
stand can speak volumes
about your energy level,
your confidence and even
your mood. Walk with purpose
and put a 慴ounce' in your
step. Sit straight and well
back in the chair. Don't
perch on the edge of the
seat, slouch into it or lean
over on one elbow. You can
deliberately shift your
position from time to time,
but fidgeting will make you
appear restless and
uncomfortable. Sit with your
arms resting on the arms of
the chair or in your lap.
Fold your hands if that's
comfortable for you. Do not
cross your arms across your
chest. This can be
interpreted as defensive and
unfriendly.
Gestures
When you sit in front of a
desk, your interviewer has
only a head and shoulders
view of you. That's why it's
important to bring hand
gestures into your
conversation to emphasize
points in your answers. Hand
gestures are an important
part of communication. Use
them effectively and they
will add to the impact of
your answers. Over-use them
and they will distract from
your message.
Nodding slightly at some
point when the interviewer
is speaking will show that
you are paying close
attention. You can also nod
and smile to show that you
agree with something the
interviewer has just said.
Facial
Expressions
Many of us wear our hearts
on our sleeves and our
thoughts on our faces.
Interviewers will believe
what they see before they
believe what they hear. In
other words, if your
response to a question about
your last boss includes a
frown and an unconscious
sigh, the value of the words
you speak will be diminished
by your expression.
Discrepancies like this can
make your answers less
believable.
