This document provides tips for body language during a job interview. It recommends smiling, making eye contact with all interviewers, leaning forward in your chair to appear interested, avoiding crossed arms or legs and slouching, limiting fidgeting or facial expressions, and avoiding strong perfumes or colognes. Proper body language is important to make a good impression on the interviewer and communicate that you are engaged, pleasant, and trustworthy. The document encourages practicing body language techniques with friends to feel comfortable during the actual interview.

1. INTERVIEW TIP #10
Watch your body language
Mary Sherwood Sevinsky,
MS, CCM, CDMS

2. About me…
• Mary Sherwood, MS, CDMS, CCM
Occupational Consultant
• www.about.me/marysevinsky
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• My Blog: www.JobSearchForTheRestOfUs.com
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3. REVIEW
By now you are getting the idea that there is really a lot involved
when experts and others tell you to “make sure to prepare for an
interview!” Already, in previous articles have covered:
• Practicing – Over Preparing
• Taking Notes
• Wearing Appropriate and Comfortable Clothes.
• Visit the location the day before the interview
• Relax – don’t try to cram for an important interview
• Breathe to avoid saying “um” too much
• Smile
• Ask Questions

4. BEFORE, DURING AFTER
• So far in this series we have talked mainly about how
to prepare to attend the interview.
• Tips #6, 7, 8 & 9 and this one, #10, were the tips
concerned with DURING THE INTERVIEW.
• We have covered a lot and still only talked about
interviewing “soft skills”
• The next series will address more of the “nuts and
bolts” of interviewing

5. Pretty is as pretty does
• Body language communicates more than we even
think about.
• It goes beyond your face – whether you frown, smile
or have a quizzical look send clear messages we all
“read” from infancy.
• So do other body movements and poses.

6. Smile
• Smile – you might have to remind yourself to do so
during the actual interview, especially if you are
nervous.
• Smiling is important because the interviewer will
interpret this as you are pleasant.
• If you frown or bite your lip during the interview, the
employer might come away feeling negatively about
you.

7. We have contact!
• Make good eye contact without coming across as
staring and making the interviewer wonder if you
might be an escapee of some sort.
• If you are interviewing with more than one person,
make brief eye contact with all before answering the
question to make them feel included.
• You will send a message that you are forthright and
trustworthy.

8. Be a little forward
• Leaning forward shows that you are interested and alert.
If you are interviewing, you certainly want to appear
interested and alert!
• Practice sitting slightly forward in everyday conversations
with friends.
• Start by sitting up straight then leaning forward just
enough so that your head is a bit forward of your chest.
• Don’t lean too far forward. Not only will you likely be
uncomfortable, but the interviewer might feel you are
pushy!

9. Criss Cross
• Crossing anything sends the message that you are
closed off and negative.
• Pay attention to your posture overall.
• Sit up straight and plant both feet on the ground with
your arms relaxed in your lap or on the arm of the
chair.
• Practice this now, rather than later. It is important
that you feel comfortable during the interview!

10. Don’t get too comfortable….
• Leaning back in your chair may give the impression
that you don’t care or are arrogant.
• By and large, it is interpreted as sloppy in a business
setting.
• You want to put your best foot forward to get hired
so be mindful of slouching, even in the waiting room.

11. Sit still
• Be careful not to fidget, doodle or make faces while
the interviewer is speaking or you are thinking. Many
of us have nervous habits we are not entirely aware
of.
• This is one of the best reasons to practice face to face
for your interview.
• Start with a friend - Skype, Google Hangouts r
FaceTime work great if you don’t have a friend nearby
who is willing to assist you.

12. The nose knows
• Be careful of wearing colognes or perfume.
• I would go so far as to recommend wearing none,
actually.
• Many offices have adopted this as a general rule to
avoid allergic reactions and to control, well, those
who can’t control themselves.
• Less is more.

13. RECAP
• Smile
• Make good eye contact
• Lean forward
• Don’t cross your arms or legs
• Don’t lean back in your chair
• Don’t make faces, fidget or doodle
• Don’t wear cologne or perfume

14. OTHER TIPS
• So, you have practiced (see Interview Tip #1), prepared
your notes (Tip #2), and have appropriate, comfortable
clothes to wear (see Interview Tip #3).
• Interview Tip #4 shared the importance of visiting the
location the day before, and Tip #5, was relax. They all
addressed preparation and tips for before the interview.
• Tip # 6 (Breathe), this one and the next tips deal with that
nerve racking During-The-Interview period.
• Tip #7 Strike a pose , Tip #8 Smile, and Tip #9 - Ask
Questions

15. Resources for possible interview questions
and/or answers:
• Articles in my blog
• Articles on CAREEREALISM
• Articles on the Web
• Need more help? Chat, Email, Skype, Hangout
Click here for email
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Skype Mary.E.Sherwood
• PS I also wanted to let you know about a new job search group
I just started on LinkedIn, it would be great to have you and
please share with your connections … If you are currently
employed you might want to “hide” this group on your Profile;
click here if you need help with that! Take care, Mary