When preparing for a job interview, you are naturally going to focus on what you will say. But there is another aspect of your demeanor that is also important and should not be overlooked – your body language.

You want to make sure you are not saying one thing while your body language is saying another. You want your body language to communicate a sense of enthusiasm, poise and confidence during the interview.

How can you best do this?

First of all, before you even enter the room, you want to make sure everything is where it should be. Check yourself out in the mirror. You don’t want to be adjusting your tie or smoothing your hair while you are walking into the room.

When you walk in to the room to meet the hiring manager, smiling is important. It communicates a sense of friendliness and enthusiasm, a feeling that you are glad to be there. It can go a long way toward making a good first impression.

Making eye contact also is important. You want to look directly at the person you are talking to. Doing this shows that you’re engaged, interested and confident. Avoid looking around or especially looking at the floor. As the interviewer is talking, you may also want to nod your head from time to time to show that you are interested in what the interviewer is saying.

And naturally, a firm handshake is also important.

When you sit, you want to avoid looking too stiff or too relaxed. Generally, the best way is to sit straight with your back against the back of the chair, and your hands resting comfortably in your lap. This is the best way to look comfortable, yet confident. You certainly want to avoid any slouching.

Another thing you want to avoid during the interview is unnecessary movement, such as yawning, scratching or rubbing. This basically gives the impression of indifference or timidity and nervousness. Also, watch out for any nervous ticks that could communicate uncertainty, such as foot tapping, lip biting, hair tugging, or finger rubbing. Again, you want to look relaxed and confident, and all of these motions communicate the opposite to the interviewer.

Need some more tips on how to do well at a job interview? Take a look at our Candidate Resource section of our website to learn more about how to ace a job interview at a NYC company. If you have any questions, contact Winston Resources today.