You’re not a kid anymore. As a matter of fact, you’re a college-educated adult who’s out to show employers what you have to offer the world. But be aware that your body language may send recruiters packing before you can get the chance to shine.
Jamila McCoy, a human resources manager for Time Inc., said that although cultural differences among people make it difficult to assess body language, there are a few things students should know about their nonverbal communication during interviews.
‘Fidgeting and slouching are interpreted as nervousness, disinterest or boredom,’ McCoy said, ‘[and] lack of eye contact can correlate to [a] lack of confidence.’
She said that students should avoid slouching and excessive hand movement, as it can be distracting. So when you feel like nervousness is overwhelming you, try interlocking your fingers in your lap and sitting up straight so both you and your recruiter can focus on your positive attributes.
She said that students should think about both their favorite and least favorite classes and seriously take notes on their behavior. ‘It’s important to take notice of how you sit,’ she said. ‘Are you nodding your head in agreement or understanding [and] are you prepared with questions?’
McCoy warns students that an interview is not the only place where body language matters. Paying attention to negative tendencies from the classroom, and correcting them, can aid in preparation for that important moment with a recruiter.
However, not all body language during an interview is perceived as negative. ‘Handshakes, with the appropriate amount of firmness, are welcoming,’ McCoy said. ‘Smiling comes across as you being friendly.’ Having the right amount of eye contact along with a controlled voice pitch and volume also shows you are prepared and at ease.
She said to remember that ‘thoughts are truly a powerful force,’ and that if you go into an interview with nervousness on the brain, it’s bound to show.
‘In my experience, when a student tells me outright that he/she is nervous, it is my job to make them comfortable so that I can assess our conversation appropriately and get the information that I need,’ McCoy said.
According to McCoy, this is an important tip to follow. If addressing your feelings of nervousness upfront doesn’t help, you might be indicating to a recruiter that you can’t handle pressure, and that might affect your job performance in the future.
One of the important things to remember when you feel overwhelmed by the whole process of interviewing is that preparation is the key to success.
‘Students who come prepared to an interview, a test [or] a sport competition, etc., will have a level of confidence that will be shown,’ said McCoy. And confidence is not synonymous with showing off; she says there’s a ‘measure of humility involved.’
So by all means, be prepared and confident, and demonstrate, through your body language, just how equipped you are for the position you’re after.