You’ve been practicing what to say at an interview, but have you considered what signals your body language is sending? Research suggests up to 93 percent of communication isn’t transmitted via our words, but is broadcast through our actions and attitude.
Making the Most of First Impressions, Body Language, and Charisma, suggests the following tips to help you wow your interviewer:
Palm-to-palm contact is key. Wood explains: “My research suggests that palm contact is more important than how firm your grip is … If someone shakes hands with you and gives you just her or his fingers and not her or his full palm, at a subconscious level you may think, ‘What is she hiding? What is she keeping from me?’” Evaluate the all-important handshake and worry less about if you have a firm enough grip and more about extending your entire hand and palm when you greet someone.
How to sit. Don’t make yourself smaller in stature.
Show your hands. Showing your hands helps you appear open and approachable. “Don’t hide your hands under the table or in your pockets or tuck them away,” Wood notes. “Keep your hands open and in view on the table or the arms of the chair.”
Match and mirror. Research shows that people hire people who are like them. Use body language to help convince your interviewer that you’re a good fit.
Get grounded. “To overcome the toughest interview questions, put both feet firmly on the ground. This makes it easier to use both hemispheres of the brain—the rational and the creative-emotional. Or, if you feel yourself freeze, move your feet in some way.”
End well. While first impressions are important, people will also remember the last thing you do or say. Wood suggests: “As the conversation winds down, make sure your belongings are on the left side of your body so you can easily shake with your right hand. You may shake hands more than once—when you get up, at the door, and after talking for a bit longer while parting.” Even if the interview didn’t go as well as you might have liked, keep focused and poised until the end and you may be able to improve the impression you leave.
FIRST IMPRESSIONS
- How do you create the right impression even before you take a seat in a room?
Our bodies start communicating way before our words do.
Some of the non-verbal cues your body and face give can make or break a situation for you.
Here are 5 tips to create a right impression even before you take a seat in a room.
1. Enter a room like it is your den
Whether you are entering an interview room, your boss's office or a board room, the first part of your first impression is your entry.
Open the door confidently, don't peek hesitantly and then enter. It is awkward.
Walk straight, don't slouch.
Make eye contact with people in the room and smile.
If you are clumsy or flustered while entering, it shows an inability to adapt quickly to new surroundings.
Don't feel intimidated or nervous if you see more people than expected or if the gender proportion is not in your favour.
If you feel uncomfortable, there are very high chances your body language is transmitting those signals too.
Enter like a lioness enters her den -- composed, confident and feeling at home.
Compiled by.Dr.R.P
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