08 February 2025
The Hidden Language : Role of Body Language in an Interview
Conducting Job Interview PreparationCommonly candidates invest a lot of time in preparing the perfect resume and responding to some of the most generally asked questions during an interview, but they forget about the following. If you put yourself in the employer's shoes, you will know that you need to respond to the following: But body language is one important aspect that is often neglected — a silent form of communication that will always shape how a candidate is perceived. Confident, sincere, professional body language — all of these are paramount to making a good first impression.
The Role of Body Language
However, it is not just the words that matter, as nonverbal communication is a crucial aspect of how messages are perceived. Because as the saying goes, “Actions speak louder than words.” Famed psychologist Albert Mehrabian explains the 7-38-55 rule, through which he shows how little of what we communicate with each other is expressed in our words, with only 7% of communication being comprised of the actual words being said, 38% tone of voice and 55% body language (Mehrabian, World of Work). This shows the huge power of body language in job interviews.
It takes a few seconds for interviewers to take an impression of the candidates. Maintaining a firm handshake, displaying good posture, and smiling warmly helps establish a good impression, while avoiding eye contact, displaying fidgeting as well as slouching will give the impression of anxiety or low confidence. Harvard Business Review found that hiring managers make unconscious judgments of candidates around their nonverbal behaviors before the candidates even answer questions.
The Importance of Body Language and How to Master It
Posture: Sitting or standing tall communicates confidence and engagement. Slouching, by contrast, can signal boredom or a lack of confidence. A candidate with open posture — shoulders down and facing forward — comes across as more engaged.
Eye Contact: Maintaining steady yet natural eye contact signals confidence and sincerity. However, excessive staring may seem aggressive, while avoiding eye contact can suggest discomfort or dishonesty. Research from Princeton University suggests that individuals who maintain appropriate eye contact are perceived as more trustworthy and competent.
Facial Expressions: A friendly smile can make a candidate appear five times more personable. On the other hand, an expressionless face or too much nervousness can lead to a lack of connection between the interviewer and the candidate. Studies show that humans are instinctively good at mimicking the facial expressions of those around them, so it is important to radiate positivity during interviews.
Gestures: While hand movements can work when used intentionally to emphasize certain lines, checking excessive fidgeting or crossing arms can be a deterrent between a candidate and interviewer. Candidates should limit their gestures and ensure they house prominent their spoken words.
How Body Language Works — The Science behind
In addition to outside perception, body language can have an impact on a candidate’s internal state. Social psychologist Amy Cuddy from Harvard Business School researched “power poses” which can increase testosterone levels (the hormone associated with confidence) while decreasing cortisol (the stress hormone), according to her studies. This hormonal change can help people feel more confident when they’re in pressure situations like job interviews. Candidates who practice such poses before interviews may be able to ease anxiety and project a more confident presence, the researchers wrote.
Additionally, body language can also influence memory retention and recall. Research from the University of Chicago found that using expressive gesturing helped candidates better convey their thoughts and express themselves clearly in ways they lack when they speak in just verbal terms. This indicates that improving body gestures can benefit not only confidence for these situations but also thinking capability.
Additional research from The Journal of Nonverbal Behavior has shown that interviewees who use open and warm body language are evaluated more positively by hiring managers (Journal of Nonverbal Behavior). Furthermore, research from Stanford University implies that mirroring the body language of the interviewer can create unconscious rapport, boosting the chances of a positive review.
Preparing for Success
And because body language matters much when it comes to interview success, job seekers can do the following to enhance their nonverbal skills:
Self-Practice: Candidates can record mock interviews, or practice in front of a mirror to ensure that they identify if they are slumping, swaying, or using too many hand gestures during the interview process.
Get Feedback: Ask a career advisor, mentor or a friend for feedback and improvement.
Mindfulness Exercises: Engaging in mindfulness and relaxation techniques can mitigate anxiety and cultivate a natural, self-assured body language.
Body Language Coaching: Numerous professional development programs are now offering guidance on nonverbal communication to help candidates master their physical presence in interviews.
Virtual Interview Behavior Changes: As remote work becomes more common; candidates should also practice body language for the screen. Presence in a virtual interview can be immensely influenced by maintaining eye contact with the camera, gestures which are appropriate and lighting.
Practical Application: Many universities and career centers now offer AI-powered mock interviews that read candidates’ body language and give them feedback to mirror actual hiring manager scoring.
Take the first step towards your dream job. Visit Topgrad.co.uk and apply for top student and graduate positions now!
