👉 Greeting
Wait for the employer to reach out first. He is the host of the meeting. The situation when you are the first to shake hands can be perceived as an attempt to take control of the conversation. Make sure your handshake is firm, but not too firm. It is also not worth shaking the employer’s hand for too long, too long a handshake can be perceived negatively. During the handshake, make eye contact and smile. During the pandemic, contact with the other person was limited. It may therefore happen that the employer greets you with a word and indicates a place where you can sit.
👉 Posture
After taking a seat, try to control your movements, body language reveals much more than words. Sit up straight and comfortably, put your hands on your knees and wait for the recruiter to start the conversation. Try to control your posture at all times, don’t swing in the chair, don’t click the pen. Many times, during stressful situations, we are not aware that our behavior may take the interlocutor’s full attention and instead of focusing on what we say, he will observe your nervous movements. Also, remember not to lie down on a chair like a lounger. You will be perceived as a person who does not care about work and has a disrespectful approach to the interlocutor.
👉 Eye contact
Try to maintain eye contact with the recruiter throughout the interview. However, instead of looking your interlocutor in the eye all the time, try to pay attention to his gestures as well. Constantly staring into someone’s eyes may be perceived as aggressive, insistent behavior. Do not avoid eye contact, it may be perceived as an attempt to conceal certain information or a lie. Shifting gaze or closed eyes will not make a good impression. The recruiter will think that you are bored with the conversation and end it faster.
👉 Gestures
When answering questions asked by the recruiter, try to emphasize what you say with gestures. An uncovered palm, facing up, shows that you have nothing to hide and you are sincere in your statement. Folding your hands on your chest, on the other hand, may indicate that the question asked by the employer embarrassed you and you do not feel comfortable. This is the so-called closed position, when we subconsciously try to shield ourselves from uncomfortable questions. Try to control your gestures, excessive gesticulation can be perceived as aggressive behavior, tapping your hands on the table as impatience.
👉 Paralanguage
During a conversation, it is important not only what you say, but how you say it. Your tone of voice, pace, rhythm of speech, or how loud or soft you speak will affect the recruiter’s assessment of you. If you speak too loudly, you may be perceived as shouting, but if you speak too softly, you may be perceived as a shy person. Try to speak clearly and not too fast. The employer may have difficulty understanding what you are saying if you speak at the speed of light.
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What not to do on the interview?
❌ Do not interrupt the employer during the interview – wait to answer the question until the employer has finished the question. Interrupting is seen as rude behavior.
❌ Don’t talk negatively about your former employer, colleague or teacher. The employer may think that you will say the same about them.
❌ Don’t talk about controversial topics such as religion or politics. Your interlocutor may have a different opinion on these topics and disagree with your opinion. Such a discussion may end up in an argument, which may result in you not getting a job offer.
❌ Do not complain. Constantly whining about the fact that your bus was late, that there were traffic jams on the way to the interview will not leave a good impression about you. You will be perceived as a person who does not like anything. Remember – the purpose of the conversation is to present yourself from the best side.
❌ Try not to repeat the same information several times in one answer. Repeating the same thing over and over again can be perceived as verbal bluff to prolong your speech when you have nothing more to say.
❌ Don’t be overly enthusiastic about the company and your future boss. This can be perceived as fawning and a desire to influence the recruiter’s decision through exaggerated praise and feigned politeness.
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Interviews are demanding, so in addition to well-prepared answers to potential questions, you should also read about the company and control your body language. Remember that every conversation is different, so it’s important to be yourself. Be confident in your abilities and base your answers on your surroundings. Even if you don’t know something, say so. The employer may appreciate your honesty and consider you a suitable candidate.
Good luck!
