3 Body Language Mistakes That Sabotage Job Interviews - Your Career Intel

3 Body Language Mistakes That Sabotage Job Interviews - Your Career IntelTell me about yourself.Whats the biggest challenge youve faced at work?So, where do you binnensee yourself in five years?When prepping for a big bewerbungsgesprch its natural to spend a lot of time practicing your answers to these common questions. While the words you choose are important, in an interview its not just what you say, but how you say it. Ninety-three percent of what we convey to others is through non-verbal cues and body language, not words. What stellungnahme is your body language making?Even if you think youre coming off as confident and capable in your interview answers, your body language could be sending a different message. For example, I recently worked with a company that passed on a highly qualified candidate because this individual failed to make any eye contact during the entire interview. Maintaining steady eye contact is an interview essential, yet its still something many of us still struggle with during pressure-filled situations.Perhaps youre so anxious about making a positive first impression or nervous about tough questions you dont realize youre looking down at the table, tapping your foot, playing with your hair or crossing your arms. Unfortunately, no matter how prepared you are for the interview, these negative body language cues project the opposite message, or worse, send a signal that youre being dishonest about your credentials and experience.Early in my career, I worked with body language expert Janine Driver. Janine helped me bring awareness to my own body language and make subtle shifts that took my interview skills from good to great. Today, Im passionate about coaching and prepping my candidates on nonverbal communication best practices. By bringing awareness to your body language habits, you can speak with confidence and conviction, too. Heres howGoal Project confidenceSolution Keep your body open.When you cross your arms or legs, you appear cl osed off, reserved and insecure. Instead, keep your body open. Smiling while talking and place your hands palm-faced up and open on your lap projects confidence.Goal Demonstrate honesty.Solution Maintain eye contact and watch your head movements.Even if you are being completely truthful in your answers, failing to maintain eye contact or subtly nodding your head no when you speak sends the opposite message. Try to keep your attention focused on the interviewers face and avoid looking down at the ground or off into space when answering a question.Goal Convey enthusiasm.Solution Be an active listener.While its important to maintain eye contact, you dont want to stare at the interviewer either. If multiple people are interviewing you, ensure youre staying focused on the person speaking. Lean your body in slightly and occasionally nod your head while your interviewer speaks. Mirror the interviewers body language this subtly signals to the interviewer that youre engaged and enthusiastic about the position.Before a big interview, practice with a friend and ask for feedback on nonverbal cues. Did you maintain steady eye contact or play with your hair? Give your friend the Dos and Donts checklist and ask them to musiknote you gestures. Your nonverbal behaviors may be so ingrained that you dont even realize youre doing themFinally, get in the habit of checking-in with yourself during the interview. For example, if you know that you struggle with eye contact, make a mental note to refocus on the speaker and practice active listening.How do you stay confident and engaged during an interview? I invite you to share your best practices in the comments below.