If you were to take a random poll from a random sample of people about the types of things that make them the most interview, there is no doubt that you’ll receive “job interviews” as a popular answer. Whether you like to believe it or not, many job interviewers pay close attention to body language during interviews to make a better assessment about what’s really going on between your ears. This is why it’s so important to understand body language and how to use it to your advantage.

The Handshake

The handshake is often the first piece of body language that the interviewer has to go off of when the job interview kicks off. Many people see a handshake as a casual exchange of welcoming or a gesture of new relationships. Your handshake can say a lot about you nevertheless. Remember that a loose, weak, or timid handshake can signify passiveness, insecurity, or even trustworthiness. A strong handshake on the other hand signifies confidence, trust, and excitement for the occasion. Rather than stressing about the handshake, let it come naturally. Practice it with your peers.

Maintaining Eye Contact

Many people struggle with eye contact in formal or other significant situations. A lot can be said with the eyes, and you can even build a stronger bond of trust between you and the interviewer just by holding good, solid eye contact. You must remember not to lock your interviewer into an awkward gaze, but be sure that you don’t spend the majority of the time staring at the floor or looking off at their desk decor as you describe your strengths and weaknesses.

Holding Yourself

Your posture and the way you hold yourself is also important. The interviewer can sense things about you as soon as you walk into the room just by noting how you carry yourself. An interviewee that enters the room with their shoulders back and head held high emits a sense of confidence and determination to get the job. Additionally, it’s extremely important that you do not appear closed off during the interview. For example, don’t cross your arms or slump down into your seat as your interviewer speaks to you.

Fidgeting

Fidgeting is something that many people struggle with when they’re in the middle of an interview. It can feel hard not to, but it’s good to try your best to keep it to a minimum. Fidgeting can indicate a struggle with focus or other unattractive qualities for the position in question. Keep your hands in your lap and be sure to keep your attention to the interviewer.

Smiling 

Lastly, focus on smiling a lot and showing the interviewer that you’re interested in what he/she has to say. Don’t make the mistake of appearing stonelike in appearance, and be sure to flaunt a little bit of your personality while remaining professional. You can even tilt your head to match theirs as you speak; this can create a subtle yet deep bond between the two of you, and it will help the interviewer feel more in sync with you.

A phone interview has several key differences from a regular interview; because of this, there are several things you should keep in mind, and you can follow these tips to have the best interview possible.

Avoid Looking in a Mirror

Some people may tell you that looking at yourself in a mirror will help you to do better on a phone interview, but this is actually not a good idea. Looking at yourself in the mirror can be a major distraction that causes you to focus more on your reflection than on the interview itself. It will cause you to sound unnatural during the interview, too.

Look at a Picture of the Interviewer

Instead of looking at your reflection, you should look at a picture of your interviewer; this will help you become calmer. The calmer you are, the better you will perform. Also, looking at a photo of your interviewer while you are being interviewed will help you connect with the interviewer. Even if you can’t find a photograph of your interviewer, you can try looking at a photo of an authority figure, preferably someone you respect. This will help you ace your interview.

Don’t Talk Excessively

When you’re being interviewed on the phone, you may have a tendency to talk a lot. This can make you seem like you’re babbling; the more you talk, the worse you will do. Only talk when it’s necessary, and choose your words and sentences carefully. By talking the right amount, you’ll sound more intelligent and more capable.

A good tip to help you stop saying “um” or “ah” when you start your sentences is to say absolutely nothing for three seconds before you answer a question that the interviewer has asked. You’ll have time to think about your responses, and it’ll help you to sound more intelligent at the same time.

Warm-up Your Voice

A great tip for mastering your telephone interview is to warm your voice up before the interview begins. If you don’t warm-up your voice, you may have trouble enunciating, or your voice could crack. Before the interview, sing out loud or talk to someone for about an hour. This will warm-up your voice effectively.

Before the interview, you should also practice speaking in different tones. Try a few different tones out, and decide which one sounds the best and makes you sound intelligent.

Eat a Little Honey or Suck on a Cough Drop

An interview by phone concentrates on your voice since you and the interviewer cannot see each other. You need eat about a spoonful of honey or suck on a cough drop to prevent your throat from becoming dry or irritated during the interview. This is better than interrupting the interview by drinking water.
A telephone interview is a common type of interview that most people may have to deal with sometime in their life. In order to master this type of interview, you should follow these tips and show the interviewer your professionalism and abilities.