Body language – how important is it? After you practice your responses to a list of the most common legal competency-based questions, you must make sure you don’t miss this critical component to your next interview. Whether your interview is virtual or in-person, your body language could be the key to helping you get the job.
Professor Albert Mehrabian did extensive research into the impact of our verbal and nonverbal communication. In his communication model, he identified three key points regarding body language:
- 55 percent of the message you communicate relates to your body language and facial expression;
- 38 percent of the message you communicate relates to the tone of your voice and your manner of speech; and
- Only 7 percent of your message relates to the words we communicate.
From unconscious fidgeting to awkward facial expressions, our nervousness in an interview can easily lead to a host of body language mistakes.
So here some suggestions on how to improve your body language:
MAINTAIN EYE CONTACT
One of the biggest mistakes you can make during your job interview is to avoid eye contact with your interviewer. Hiring managers want to see the confidence in their prospective candidates, and keeping your vision cast down towards the floor makes you look nervous and lack confidence. Though this can be a part of your personality, it’s something you need to consider and address.
Make sure you look at your interviewer as you answer their questions and show you are actively listening and engaged in the conversation.
THE BODY LANGUAGE OF A SMILE
Not only can smiling make you appear warm and friendly, but it may also help you with your interview-based nerves. Employers want to hire someone who has a pleasant manner and fits into a legal firm’s culture.
LIMIT YOUR HAND GESTURES
Although you may gesture with your hands with your friends and family, it is best to keep hand gestures to a minimum during your job interview.
Moving your hands around can be distracting, especially on a zoom job interview.
UNCROSS YOUR ARMS
Though you might think this doesn’t happen anymore in an interview situation, however, surprisingly it still does. Remember, especially in an interview situation, crossed arms may be seen as a sign that you are disengaged, bored, or even worse – defensive.
By keeping the frame of your body open and angled towards the interviewer, you can portray interest and engagement with your body language,
KEEP YOUR BODY POSTURE STRAIGHT
Sitting with a bad posture will not help you appear confident. Make sure you sit up straight, with spine straight against the back of your chair, and square off your shoulders. A strong posture helps you look more like a leader.
Strategic Recruitment Solutions has been matching top companies with top talent in the Gulf Region for more than a decade. We specialize in Legal and IT recruiting. Also, our industry-expert recruiters can offer insight and guidance. Call us today at 888-366-6508 to learn how easy partnering with SRS can help you reach your business goals. Best of all, we offer a free resume review. Find out more information here.