Our non-verbal language governs how people think and feel about us. According to ‘Power and Persuasion - The 5 Steps Guide to Network Marketing Success’ by Stephen Licciardello, we should pay attention to body language as it can greatly improve our sales and communication skills.
Here are some body gestures or language that we may not be aware of in our daily lives.
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1. ‘I am confident!’
We often see successful people crossing their arms on magazines front page. Don’t fall into the trap that your confidence will be boosted by folding your arms during interviews.It is one of the worst body languages that conveys the meaning of not open to discussion, vulnerable or even in a bad mood.
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2. ‘Yes! Yes! Yes!’ – nodding like a bobble-head doll
A scholar in Psycho- Biology pointed out that different degree of nodding can represent opposite meanings. For example, slow and lengthy nods show agreement. Small nods with a smile show encouragement. However, fast and excessive nodding, on the contrary, show impatience and even in some way urging the speaker to end his/her conversation as soon as possible.
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3. Attentive no blinking eyes
Very often, we would love to show ourselves as active listeners by focusing on interviewers’ eyes. But be aware that if you look at your interviewers with a still position and without blinking, it will then become staring. According to a scholar, who holds four post-graduate qualification in Psychology, Management, Education and Marketing, staring at a person implies shock and disbelief. He also mentioned that prolonged eye contact can show aggressiveness.
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4. Smiling excessively
Smiling can show various kinds of meaning. An appropriate smile indicates kindness and pleasure. However, when smiling becomes excessive it can cause confusion and even rob you of your credibility during an interview. Make sure you will not over smile while discussing something serious and sensitive or giving negative feedback.
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5. Busy hands
Playing with your hair, lips or fingers can easily show that you are fidgeting. A body language expert said that when someone fidgets, it means they are nervous as well as lack of self- control. Besides, it can also be a sign of lying.
If you know that you fidget a lot, try to reduce caffeine intake before interviews in order to reduce the frequency of fidgeting.
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6. Hiding or sitting on your hands
Don’t try to solve fidgeting by hiding your hands! Sitting on your hands make you look less expressive, shy as well as passive. Be confident; place your hands on the arms of your chair or use them to gesture.
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7. Look here and there
Avoid shifty eyes during interviews. Distracted eye movements convey the meaning that someone is lying or not paying attention to the speaker.
Make sure that you look someone directly into his eye (but not starring as mentioned before) to show confidence and certainty.
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8. I am tilting my head, I am interested!
Sometimes we tilt our heads to show that we are paying extra attention to the speakers. In general, tilting your head sideway is a sign of interest and respect. However, excessive tilting can make you look weird. Check it out with a mirror; make sure it looks natural before you go for an interview.
Even a small act can affect your performance as a whole!
Stay calm, and be sensible!
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