When it comes to communicating your emotions, body language accounts for 93% while words account for only 7%. So, an interviewer could potentially read your body language to determine if you’re being honest when responding to questions about whether you like or dislike certain things.
10 Body Language Tips For Video Essays and Virtual Interviews
The last thing you want after submitting a great application is to mess things up by allowing your body language to contradict your words.
Below, Personal MBA Coach shares 10 body language tips for your online videos or interviews.
1. Uncross Your Arms
Crossing your arms during the online interview or video is a no-no since it can be interpreted as defensive by an interviewer or viewer. Be mindful of this and, instead of crossing your arms, keep them at your side or rest them on a desk or table if you’re sitting behind one.
For virtual interviews, uncrossing your arms can also have an added benefit. For example, one study finds that a group of volunteers that went to a lecture and sat with their legs and arms unfolded actually recalled 38% more than another group of volunteers at the same lecture that sat with their legs and arms folded. So, unfold those arms in order to recall things you want to ask later on in the interview.
2. Avoid Fidgeting
When you are doing your online interview, you do not want to be moving all over the place. It not only will make you look distracted but also will make you appear overly nervous.
3. Lean In
During the online interview, you should lean in as you are talking since doing so will give the impression that you are engaged in the process and interested in what the interviewer is saying. Of course, you do not want to do it too much since constant movements can be distracting.
4. Ensure Good Posture
Get your posture in check to give a good impression. If you slouch, you will look lazy and disinterested. If you lean back, you risk looking arrogant. Practice sitting up properly — with your back erect — so that your body language does not do you in.
5. Maintain Eye Contact
Eye contact is important during an online interview or online video. But while you want to establish eye contact, you do want to avoid instances where your eye contact is so excessive that it becomes staring. This could make the interviewer (or viewer), and ultimately yourself, uncomfortable.
6. Avoid Lip Compression
In a very stressful situation, you might automatically resort to lip compression, which refers to pressing your lips together to the point where they appear to almost disappear. Do your best to avoid this since the interviewer might think that you’re perhaps very stressed and simply want out of the situation.
7. Keep Hands Off Face
If you touch your face, you might give the impression that you are nervous. Also, face touching can distract the interviewer. It has even been said that face touching is to adults what thumb sucking is to babies. Enough said.
8. Use Hand Gestures, But Use Them Sparingly
When you are talking, you can and should use hand gestures to punctuate or emphasize what you are trying to communicate. This can help you look confident and enthusiastic. However – keep in mind there can be too much of a good thing! Do not go overboard, as making too emphatic or too many hand gestures may come off as awkward or distract from what you are trying to say.
9. Nod Intelligently
Nodding can help you show that you are following what the interviewer is saying but doing it too much can come off as disingenuous. So be sure to nod when appropriate to facilitate a dialogue and to show that you are indeed listening, but do not turn yourself into a human bobble head doll.
10. Mirror the Interviewer
A great way to connect with the interviewer is by mirroring. This happens when, for instance, you match the posture of the person interviewing you. If the interviewer leans in, you should do it, too. If the interviewer leans back, then follow the cue. This establishes a connection and builds rapport. But be subtle when mirroring or it will come across as phony.
When it comes time to do your online interview or video essay, you’ll do fine if you take these tips to heart.
For best results, practice your interview skills with a friend or contact Personal MBA Coach to get professional interview consultation services.
