Body Language Tips

How do you interpret these body language signs?

• Sparkling eyes - Happiness?
• Head held high - High self-esteem?
• Drooping shoulders - Lack of Confidence, Sadness?

Body language is a powerful means of non-verbal communication. Individual can speak a lot with the eyes, posture or the way they walk. Body language signs are also used during job interviews to help the interviewer know what is not there on the resume of an interviewee. The following tips on body language will help one understand what he/she says to others without speaking a word.

Tips to Improve your General Body Language

Eye Contact: It is said that the eyes are the mirrors to one's soul. Eyes are very important while communicating with others. Maintaining good eye contact while talking with others shows that you respect them and are interested in what they are saying. However, do not stare. That could make the other person feel uncomfortable and conscious. Maintain eye contact for 60 - 70% of the time while talking with someone. Look away from the person for a few seconds and re-establish eye contact.

Posture: When sitting with a person, do not brace your arms against your chest. Additionally men should avoid crossing their legs as well. A crossed posture shows that one is hiding or trying to guard something from the other. Have an open posture while in conversation with someone. Sit with your arms and legs (for men) uncrossed and face the other person while talking to him.

Stand Tall: Remember the phrase 'feeling low'? Look at yourself in the mirror while you are feeling gloomy. Your shoulders would be drooping and you would be slouched over. A slouched posture reflects uncertainty and low self-esteem. To portray the image of a confident, motivated person walk with a straight back and head raised squarely. However, do not hold your head with chin pointing too high. This may make others perceive you as a snob.

Move Closer: Moving closer to a person conveys the feeling that you are comfortable with him. If a person leans or moves closer to you, it is a sign that he/she is interested in you. Physical proximity could also be provided by removing objects in between two people. However, be careful about using this technique, as if you move too close to another person, he/she might take this as violation of personal space and become defensive.

Tips to Better your Body Language for an Interview

Get to know the correct body language for job interviews:

• When you are offered a chair at the interview sit upright with back straight. However, don't be too stiff. This gives a feeling that you are a confident individual who is comfortable in any surrounding. Lean slightly forward but do not slouch. Hunched posture gives the impression that one lacks self-esteem whereas a sloppy posture indicates a careless attitude.
• Tilt your head slightly to a side while talking with the interviewer. This makes one appear friendly and easygoing. Holding head very straight gives a feeling that one is rigid and authoritative.
• Hand movements are observed a lot during an interview. Fiddling with one's hair or any other objects conveys that one is nervous. Observing if one is touching his nose or lips frequently is used as one of the ways to tell if someone is lying. If you do not know what to do with your hands, clasp them loosely and keep them on your lap or the table.
• To portray a confident and positive look during an interview, sit with legs crossed at ankle level or both feet placed flat on the floor. Avoid too much leg movement as this can be both distracting as well as convey that the interviewee lacks confidence.
• It is important to maintain eye contact during an interview. One can avoid appearing arrogant or aggressive by blinking and moving one's head away now and then. According to experts, one should maintain eye contact for about 10 seconds, then look briefly away before re-establishing eye contact.
• How one speaks probably makes the greatest impact when it comes to an interview. Do not speak in a monotone. Add variation to your voice by varying tone and pitch as required. Pause and breathe before answering a question. This would give you time to think as well as portray a calm and relaxed manner.

There are many who know how to read people with body language. Now that you know these useful body language tips, use them to create the right impression about yourself.