Why Nonverbal Communication Matters in Interviews
When you’re preparing for an interview, it’s a good idea to brainstorm what you plan to say. Maybe you want to touch on that major award you won last month or discuss the grant you earned for your research project. While knowing what you want to say during an interview is an excellent way to prepare, considering what your body language says about you is equally important. That’s because your body language gives off silent cues. Your posture and gestures can convey thoughts, feelings, and messages before you ever open your mouth. In fact, experts have determined that verbal communication accounts for only 20 to 30% of what is communicated during a conversation, while your body language accounts for the other 70 to 80%! In other words, your body is likely doing a whole lot of talking without you even realizing it. That’s why it’s crucial to understand the hidden meanings behind how you’re holding yourself to help ensure you put your best foot forward during your next interview.What To Focus On:
Interviews can be nerve-racking, but being mindful of these nonverbal cues can help you convey the right attitude and confidence you need for the role:- Posture. Sitting up straight with your shoulders back conveys confidence, competence, and self-assurance.
- Body orientation. Angling your shoulders, chest, and feet toward the interviewer shows you are engaged in the conversation.
- Facial expressions. Maintaining a calm and pleasant facial expression can help you appear comfortable and professional.
- Hands and arm placements. Placing your hands in front of you and uncrossing your arms creates openness. A recent study found that those who practice open body language are “more likely to be perceived as competent and reliable by their peers.”
- Eye contact. Maintaining eye contact demonstrates that you are actively listening and intently following the discussion.
- Nodding. Nodding your head while the interviewer speaks demonstrates that you are listening and interested in the dialogue.
- Personal grooming and hygiene. Showing up in wrinkle-free professional clothing, with tamed hair and a clean face, shows that you respect the interviewer’s time and are taking the interview seriously.
What To Avoid:
Unfortunately, even unintentional body language and gestures can sometimes convey the wrong message. Avoid these kinds of nonverbal communication during your interview:- Slouching. Poor posture can suggest laziness, disinterest, and a lack of professionalism.
- Crossing your arms. Crossing your arms over your chest can make you appear closed off and unopen to the discussion.
- Fidgeting. Drumming your fingers on the table, clicking your pen, and twirling your hair can seem like you’re nervous, anxious, or even bored.
- Furrowing your brows. Scrunched eyebrows can suggest that you’re anxious, worried, frustrated, or angry.
- Rolling your eyes and staring off in the distance. Rolling your eyes is one surefire way to show disgust or annoyance, while staring off into space can signal that you’re zoning out or feeling bored and uninterested in the discussion.
- Mumbling. If you’re speaking under your breath or not talking at an audible volume, you may seem unassertive and self-conscious.
How To Improve:
The good news is that there are ways to enhance your nonverbal communication style. Aside from focusing on certain cues and avoiding others, the following are just a few ways you can improve the way you come across in your interview:- Relax. Calming your nerves is one of the biggest ways to exert confidence. Before your interview, practice breathing techniques, meditations, or positive affirmations to lower your anxiety.
- Smile. The simple act of smiling can instantly make you appear warm, friendly, and likable. It’s also an easy way to signal that you’re feeling excited and enthusiastic about the interview.
- Project your voice. If you’re naturally a quiet-spoken person, focus on increasing the volume of your voice to seem more confident and assertive.
- Fake it ’til you make it. Even if you’re feeling nervous, practicing good posture and positive gestures can mask your insecurities. The more you practice, the easier it’ll become.
Frequently Asked Questions About Body Language in Interview
What body language makes the best impression in an interview?
The strongest interview body language combines confidence with warmth. Sit upright, relax your shoulders, keep your chest open and angle your body toward the interviewer. Maintain natural eye contact, respond visibly while they speak and use controlled hand gestures when they help you explain something. This makes you appear engaged and self-assured without looking stiff, rehearsed or overly dominant.
How should you sit during an interview?
Sit back far enough to use the chair for support, but avoid leaning so far back that you appear casual or disengaged. Keep both feet grounded, your shoulders relaxed and your upper body slightly oriented toward the interviewer. Good posture should make you look comfortable and alert. Sitting rigidly can communicate anxiety, while slouching can make you appear tired, uninterested or less confident than you are.
How can you look more confident during an interview?
Confidence shows most clearly through pace, posture and composure. Speak at a steady volume, finish your thoughts without rushing and allow yourself to pause before answering. Keep your body open rather than folding inward, and avoid shrinking your gestures or repeatedly qualifying your answers. You do not need to act forceful. You need to look comfortable taking up your place in the conversation and speaking honestly about what you have accomplished.
How can you appear warm and likable without seeming fake?
Warmth comes from showing that you are genuinely engaged with the person in front of you. Smile when you greet the interviewer, let your expression respond naturally to the conversation and show interest while they speak instead of simply waiting for your turn. A warm candidate makes the interview feel like a real exchange. Constant smiling, exaggerated enthusiasm or excessive agreement can have the opposite effect because they make the interaction feel performed.
What makes someone appear charismatic in an interview?
Interview charisma comes from making other people feel both interested in you and comfortable with you. Confident posture and clear speech create credibility, while eye contact, facial responsiveness and attentive listening create connection. The most charismatic candidates are not necessarily the loudest or most animated. They communicate conviction without overpowering the room and show enough interest in the interviewer to make the conversation feel mutual.
How much eye contact should you make during an interview?
Maintain eye contact while the interviewer is speaking and when you are making an important point, but allow your gaze to move naturally when you are thinking. Avoiding eye contact can make you appear uncomfortable or disconnected, while staring continuously can feel intense. Good eye contact creates a sense of connection and shows that you are comfortable staying present in the conversation.
What should you do with your face during an interview?
Your expression should match the conversation. Smile when discussing something positive, look thoughtful when considering a difficult question and show interest while the interviewer explains the role. A completely still expression can make you difficult to read, even when you are listening closely. The goal is not to control every facial movement, but to let the interviewer see that you are attentive, responsive and emotionally present.
What should you do with your hands during an interview?
Keep your hands visible and relaxed, and use them naturally when they help emphasize or explain a point. Controlled gestures can make you appear more expressive and confident, while hiding your hands or holding them rigidly can make you look tense. Avoid repetitive movements such as clicking a pen, twisting jewelry, touching your hair or adjusting your clothing, since those movements can pull attention away from what you are saying.
How do you communicate confidence during a virtual interview?
Place the camera at eye level and sit far enough back for your head, shoulders and upper torso to remain visible. This allows the interviewer to see your posture and gestures instead of only your face. Look toward the camera when making an important point, then return your attention to the interviewer’s image so you can respond naturally. Good lighting, clear sound and an uncluttered background also make you appear more prepared and allow your expressions to come through clearly.
How can you become more aware of your body language before an interview?
Record yourself answering several interview questions and watch the video without listening to the sound. Notice whether you look engaged, tense, distracted, closed off or comfortable. Then listen without watching and evaluate your tone, speed and volume. This will show you what another person actually experiences rather than what you assume you are communicating. Focus on correcting the one or two habits that affect your presence most instead of trying to control every movement at once.