Body Language and Jobs


So what are the best ways to impress in an interview?

Dress to Impress

First of all you need to dress to impress. If it is a professional corporate environment, guys wear a suit and tie and girls, wear corporate slacks or skirt with appropriate shirt and jacket.

Not only will you feel good, but it shows immediately you have taken the effort.

With body language and jobs however, this is just the bare minimum.

Lets now break the interview into four parts - meet and greet, preamble, interview and close.

Meet and Greet

Best way to start an interview is with a handshake, an exchange of names and introductions, and remember to always smile. Why?

If you smile, they will smile and then you will start to relax. If you feel relaxed you will feel better, so keep talking and keep smiling.

The Preamble

With body language and jobs, this is one of the best ways to differentiate yourself from the crowd. The trick is to start integrating your assets, your resume gradually into the conversation.

How do we do that?

Let's take an example:

Interviewer: "So did you have a good trip in?"

Interviewee: "Yes thank you, I found your office no problem."

Interviewer: "Not too much trouble studying our company I hope"

Interviewee: "It was a fair amount of work but gladly I enjoy the industry which I guess is why I have been in it for the last 5 years."

There you have it, a subtle but effective way to introduce an asset you bring, namely your 5 years prior experience.

So lets get into the actual interview.

The Interview Stage

When you are ready to sit, always wait until they ask you or motion for you to sit down.

Try to talk with hands in gestures that are both expressive and feel natural for you.

With body language and jobs, I would not recommend trying too hard to 'mirror' the other person or persons in terms of how you see them, but do match their energy levels.

Body Language and Jobs - Reading Body Language

If they are enthusiastic, be at least as enthused. If they are laid back, be just a level above them as they might not choose you in an 'unexcited' state.

Go down to their level of energy and try to pick up the pace slowly. Repeat slowly - go too quick and you may suffer.

Now we need to close.

The Close

If they are happy so far you want to leave them with a good impression.

Most interviewers will ask if you have any questions. Please ask 2 or 3 questions at least to show your interest in the position.

Some good questions are:

Who will you report to?

What are the future prospects in this company?

Provide more detail on the position that you may want to clarify.

If you are interested in the role say so, and most of all re-cap your top 2 or 3 good points. This not only re-emphasises your assets but shows you can communicate as well.

Keep in contact the next few days or so and don't be afraid to ask how things are progressing. Your keenness just may be a decider if some-one else isn't showing they are keen enough.


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