It’s officially June! I don’t know about you guys but I’m excited summer is here to stay. I hope that in-between trips to the beach and shifts at your summer job you graduates are focusing on nailing that full-time position you’ve been hoping for. Like I said in previous posts, I’m going to try to provide you all with some advice for succeeding in interviews. It’s generally the hardest part of the job search process so we here at ThinkTalk will advise as best we can!

I recently found a blog post from Careerealism that brings up an issue we all know in the back of our minds but don’t often actively think about it, body language. It is subtle cues that can subconsciously (or not so subconsciously) make an impact on the impressions people get about us. Careerealism-approved expert Debra Wheatman provides some negative body postures to avoid, especially while interviewing:

Crossing your arms in front of you: This signals that you are resistant to ideas and not open to others’ opinions. When speaking with people – especially during an interview keep your hands in your lap. When standing, keep hands at your sides.

Looking down when speaking: Looking down is a sign that you are disinterested or feel inferior. Make sure you maintain eye contact without staring. This will let the other person subliminally know that you are interested in what they have to say. If the eyes are the window of the soul, looking at someone when you are talking to them is a strong indicator that you are engaged. Eye contact is good; staring is creepy!

Checking your watch: There is nothing that screams boredom more than the continuous checking of the time. Do not look at your watch when speaking with someone. You want to convey continued interest in what they are saying. The exchange of information should be an engaging one – not a situation where you appear to be focused on something else.

False smiling: A smile is one of the very best ways to communicate sincerity and a friendly, approachable demeanor. Don’t force a smile or smile the entire time. That will look odd and raise questions in the mind of the person you are interacting with. A natural smile will resonate during the interview. A genuine smile involves the entire face – a fake forced smile uses only the mouth – and studies indicate that people are very good at seeing the differences.

Poor posture: Standing up straight with your shoulders back displays confidence and self-assuredness. Slouching immediately makes you look smaller and is indicative of lack of self-confidence. Your posture serves to deliver a clear and positive message about how you should be treated. Leave a lasting positive impression with good posture.

"bored..” courtesy stefg74 via Flickr Creative Commons