Selection Procedure
SSB PROCEDURE & DOs / DONTs - PART 17
- Here are a few things you should do with your body during an interview:
- Keep your hands out of your pockets at all times during the interview. Hidden hands often indicate you have something to hide.
- Beware of over-using hand gestures. It can be highly distracting and take away from what you are saying.
- If you are prone to talk with your hands excessively, practice answering a few basic interview questions at home, before your interview, in front of the mirror to get an idea of how you look and what is appropriate.
- During an interview, avoid folding your arms because it can be interpreted as a defensive move. Instead, fold your hands loosely on your lap or place your arms on the arm rests, if your chair has them.
- It’s very important to make eye contact. However, make sure it is natural eye contact and not staring. If you feel uncomfortable maintaining eye-contact for this length of time, try looking at your interviewer’s nose. A smile while maintaining eye-contact is sometimes the difference between a positive body language message and staring.
- If you feel your eye-contact is becoming staring, it is ok to take periodic breaks, but don’t look down. This might indicate you don’t believe what you are saying and give connotations of submissiveness.