Imagine that after a long search for work, you finally found a vacancy that suits you by all criteria. You are 100% confident in your professional qualities, but during the interview something in your behavior, gestures or posture made the potential employer refuse your candidacy for an enviable position.
For what reason could this happen? How did it happen that the place that, in fairness, should be occupied by a person who has your rich experience and remarkable business acumen, was given to a candidate who did not have outstanding intellectual abilities, but who smiled at ease while talking to the employer, carefully listened to all comments, refrained from pretentious gestures and inappropriate jokes. In short, he wondered his interlocutor not with his mind and skill level, but with the help of simple non-verbal techniques. And you, with all your business advantages, are no longer destiny. Most likely, this is the fault of your body language, thanks to which you demonstrated to your potential employer all your weaknesses.
We present the 10 most common body movements that will harm you when looking for a new job.
10. Crossing hands
Such a position of the body indicates that you have adopted a defensive tactic of dialogue or that you are currently experiencing severe discomfort. To overcome the ardent desire to cross your arms in front of you, begin to actively gesticulate. Firstly, in this way you will give the impression of an expressive creative person. Secondly, when a person accompanies his speech with gestures, this suggests that he visualizes the subject of his narration, which means it will be easier for him to immerse himself in the problem and study it thoroughly. However, do not abuse this rule! Remember, too intrusive and elaborate gestures will take the opposite effect, and perhaps because of this you will be left without work.
9. A blank look
Low emotionality indicates that you are not very interested in making a favorable impression on your potential employer. Live facial expressions will play much more on your hand during the interview than a straight face. However, it is necessary in its expressiveness to remain unconstrained and not to allow pretense.
8. Fussiness
Some small obsessive actions may give you your nervousness, for example, the habit of frequently smoothing your hair during a conversation, looking around, tugging at a pen, twitching your foot under a table, etc. Such habits are very annoying for the interlocutor, which is why from the very beginning of the conversation he may be negative about your candidacy. In addition, excessive excitement betrays your self-doubt, and this quality is very harmful to the development of business acumen.
7. Weak handshake
When meeting with a possible employer, look him in the eye, smile and firmly shake your hand, but not very hard, otherwise it will cause the opposite effect. The most important thing in a proper handshake is to achieve contact with the palms of your hands. This will cause the interlocutor to trust you from the first minutes of the conversation.
6. The habit of pulling hair
A person begins to actively pull hair while under stress. Firstly, this action will distract your interlocutor from the subject of the conversation. Secondly, pulling your locks, you will become a little like a playful child, so it will be difficult for the employer to take you seriously, despite the fact that you have significant professional merits.
If a girl acts as a candidate for a responsible position, then this gesture can be regarded by the interlocutor as flirting or flirting, which is likely to cast doubt on her having a sufficient level of qualification.
5. Hands under the table
If during a conversation you hold your hands under the table, you will cause distrust among the interlocutor and your chances of getting the coveted position will be drastically reduced.
The most successful posture for an interview that will help you get the interviewer as close as possible is when your hands are on the armrests of the chair or on the table. Thus, you can actively use them for gesturing, and also show your openness and a high level of sociability to the interlocutor.
4. Invasion of personal space
In the desire to establish contact with the interlocutor as quickly as possible, you do not need to be too intrusive. Refrain from inappropriate clapping on the shoulders, friendly hugs and other touches. In addition, you do not need to get too close to a potential employer - most likely, this will cause him discomfort, and he will instinctively look for any opportunity to distance himself from you.
In fact, not a single employer loves familiarity, especially at the first interview, so such methods are likely to only harm your goal.
3. Lack of a smile
Remember the lines from the children's song: "From a smile it will become all warm." The indisputable truth known to every child, unfortunately, is not familiar to all adults. If there is no smile on your face during the conversation, the employer will perceive you as a person who is gloomy, uncommunicative or reserved. Show him your warm, friendly smile more often, but you need to do this naturally and appropriately.
2. Incorrect landing
During the interview, pay attention to your posture. A straight back gives you importance and nobility. In turn, the asymmetric position of the body can give you confusion and self-doubt.
1. Lack of eye contact
When you will talk about something to the interlocutor, you can very well look aside. It is also not bad if during a conversation you begin to visualize with the help of gestures what you are talking about - this will be additional evidence of the veracity of your words. However, when the interlocutor begins to speak, all attention should be riveted to him. Eye contact is necessary not only to establish a trusting relationship, but also so that the potential employer sees your sincere interest in his offer.