Signals Made When They Are Doubting/Suspecting You

It’s sometimes difficult to assume whether you are being regarded as a trustworthy person, or you are being thought of as someone who is full of nonsense. Here are some clues that may indicate suspicion:
• They glimpse sideways from the corner of one eye.
• They are rubbing or touching their eyes or ears.
• Their hands are tucked in their pockets.
• Their arms are crossed over the chest.

• Their glasses are dropped to the lower bridge of the nose, with eyes peering over them. This movement may indicate that you are being examined closely (to the point that you get conscious).
There’s one act you usually do when you are the one doubting yourself - rubbing or touching your nose. This subconsciously occurs when you are uncertain of how to answer a critical question or when you are concerned of other people’s reaction to your answer.

Signals Of Nervousness/Tension

Nervousness can be a turn-off. If you’re going to be interviewed in a television show (hey, who knows?), you should be aware of your body movements. Signals conveyed by nervous people include:
• Their fists are clenched.
• Their hands or feet are tapping.
• The bottom edges between the fingers of one hand are clenched with the bottom edges between the fingers of the other hand. This is the position of the hands when praying.
• Hands are interlocked (flesh between thumb and index finger of one hand joined with flesh between thumb and index finger of another hand) and pressing each other.
• They speak in a high-pitched, fast-paced, stuttering voice.
• They whistle to conceal and fight their nervousness.
• They are often clearing their throat.
• One hand is clutching the other hand, wrist, arm, or elbow.
• Their arms are at the back, where one hand is pressing the wrist or arm.

• Their arms are crossed, but they are gripping their biceps.
• Their legs are crossed while standing.
• They have a wilted handshake, palms pointing upwards.
• Their eyes evade you.
• Their ankles are locked or glued to each other. When accompanied by clenched fists, this may indicate that they are holding back strong emotions or feelings.
• They don’t smoke. What?!? You thought people smoke because they’re nervous. But it is in fact the opposite. People who smoke only do so when they are not tensed in any way.
When you hear them say “Whew,” it means they are previously nervous but are now relieved because their problems have been solved or they have survived a big challenge.

Signals Of Anger/Resistance

Many people rarely let their anger go out of control. They are more likely to restrain their raging emotions. You must therefore be able to recognize any gesture that signifies wrath or resistance to prevent any possible chances of the fireworks exploding. Here are some hints:
• Their fists are clenched.
• Their hands or feet are tapping.
• One hand is clutching the other hand, arm, or elbow.
• Their arms are crossed over the chest.
• Their eyes are blinking constantly.
• Collar pulled away from the neck, like letting some air in during a hot day in the summer.
• They kick the dust or air.

• Their arms are vertically placed on the table while the hands are gripping the edge. Beware when they do this because it might mean something like “You better get this done or else!” or “Better listen or you’ll regret this!”

Body Language in Job Interviews

Gone are the days when the job seeker has to write the handwritten application letter to earn that job interview. In this age of computers and cyber technology, most employers prefer applicants who apply online, and more job seekers are looking to the net for their job opportunities. But one thing remains the same - the body language of the applicant during job interviews and how they make the first impression as they step inside that interview room.
Your Type of Person
Based on your body language, an interviewer may know whether you are confident or not, if you are the shy type or the friendly type, if you are a loner or a team player, or even if you are telling the truth or not. They can tell if you are capable of handling the job, if you are devoted, or if you’re someone who can get along with other employees. Based on their questions, the interviewer will not only pay attention to what you say, but also on how you say it. The interviewer generally will find responses from you that match their qualifications. How you can decode the body language of your interviewer in relation to your own body language will determine the thin line if you get that job or not.


Be Punctual


This is the most important aspect of the job interview – arriving on time. The job interview is deemed as a very important appointment, and being late is a cardinal crime with gravity that may cause you to lose that job opportunity. Your

attitude regarding time will send the wrong messages to the employer, and will tell a lot about your lack of professionalism. Being stuck in traffic is a very lame and downright unforgivable excuse. It is better to be early by one hour than to be a minute late.
The First Encounter
When the interviewer comes to the room to meet you, do not offer your hand for a handshake unless the interviewer offers his hand. Shake hands firmly, but do not squeeze. Maintain eye contact.
Proper Body Posture
Body posture is important during job interviews and you can adopt the following stance. At the beginning of the interview, sit up straight in your chair, with your back leaning against the back of the chair. Do not slouch or move sideways in your chair because it might be perceived by the interviewer as a lack of interest or boredom. On the other hand, sitting on the edge of your chair can impart a message that you are a little nervous and that you feel uneasy with the situation.
When the interviewer says something, it is advisable to lean forward a little. This shows interest and attention in what the interviewer is saying. You can tilt your head a little to show that you are listening closely.


Proper Gestures

Do not cross your arms because this might be perceived as a defensive move. Just place your hands loosely on your lap or just put them on the armrest of your chair. By doing this, you will also be able to make hand movements to support what you are saying.
While speaking, you may nod your head occasionally to expound on a subject or to give more meaning to what you are saying. Hand movements can also help to spice up the conversation. The interviewer would think that you are comfortable with the interview process if you make hand gestures.
Too much hand movements at the beginning of the interview may not be a good idea. The proper way is to add them gradually throughout the interview.
Be aware of your interviewer’s hand movements as well. If they use their hands a lot to make a point or to clarify something, you can do the same thing as well (Remember mirroring?). When they don't make many movements, do the same thing as them. It is important to adjust your gestures to that of the interviewer to establish rapport.
Be alert to unintentional gestures that you may make sometimes due to tension. Some of the acts that may irritate the interviewer could include:
• Tapping your fingers across the desk.
• Shuffling your feet.
• Biting your nails.
• Toying with a pen.


The Panel Interview

Being interviewed by one person could be a piece of cake for many. But being interviewed by a group could be a confusing ordeal, especially when it comes to who you should look at during the interview.
It is important to maintain eye contact with all the interviewers at an equal extent. By looking uniformly at them, you will establish their trust and you will gain composure throughout the interview process.
When one of the interview partners asks or says something, maintain eye contact with him until he ceases speaking. This will indicate that you're listening attentively. While he is speaking, he may also look at the other interviewers. When he looks at you again, you can nod your head to encourage him to continue speaking.
When you answer a question, look first at the one who asked. But while you are answering, you should take turns looking at each of the other interviewers as well. You should direct yourself again to the person who asked the question when you want to prove a point, when you want to emphasize something, and when you are done answering.


Body Language of Your Interviewers

Observing the body language of your interviewers is as important as being aware of your own body movements. The body gestures of your interviewers can give you an indication of how well you are coming across to them. This can serve as a signal to change your approach at an early stage before they give you the thumbs down.
For example, when you did something that displeases the interviewers, they will show their annoyance through body language. When they sigh, shake their heads, look down, or fold their arms and lean back, you can take this as a sign of discontentment or irritability. The interviewers might not consciously notice that they’re exhibiting their body movements at first, so you still have a chance to shift your strategy.


It’s Okay to be Nervous

Knowing how to act confidently using body language can increase your chances of passing the interview. You can utilize this knowledge to conceal your anxiety a little, but this is something you shouldn't worry about too much. Many applicants are tensed during an interview, and they would not want to let the interviewer know about their inner feelings. However, it is completely understandable to be nervous at this stage. It is completely normal.
Your nervousness may even indicate how valuable getting this job is to you. If you weren't nervous, and you act like a happy-go-lucky person, you might be perceived as someone who is not very interested in the job.
The interview not only functions as a way of determining who among the applicants is most capable of performing the job well, but it is also a means of allowing the interviewer to get to know more about the applicants. It's a first encounter with an individual that you might soon work together with. If that’s the case, then the interviewer (who could be your boss) should actually feel the same way as you are. Nervousness often accompanies excitement.

Indications Of Boredom

Imagine your boss is doing a presentation and all employees are required to listen. You noticed that many of them are clicking their pen, tapping their feet, and drumming their fingers. After the meeting, you hear the boss ask them, “Did you enjoy the presentation?” They would say “Definitely!” But you know better.
Their actions indicate just how bored they are. It feels good to know body language, doesn’t it?
Some signals conveyed by people who are bored and disinterested include:
• Head supported by the palm, often accompanied by drooping eyes.
• They show inattentiveness by staring at a blank space (eyes not blinking) or by looking around frequently.
• They are pulling their ears. This may also signify that they want to interrupt while another person is talking.
• They are clicking a pen non-stop.
• They are tapping their hands or feet.
• They yawn incessantly.
• Their feet or other body parts are pointing to the exit, as if they are very eager to leave.
• They move restlessly in their seats. This could also mean that they are not cozy or at ease, or they might just be exhausted.

• They cross their legs and constantly kick their foot in a very slight motion (particularly done by females).
If you’re the one making the presentation and you discerned that your audience are displaying signs of boredom, don't start talking faster or louder. Restrain from such act even if your instinct tells you to do so. Instead, say, "Hold on. I feel that I’m losing your attention. What's up?" Hear what they have to say. You may discover what's actually preventing them from keeping up with you.

Indications That They Are Defensive/Hiding Something

The mouth might keep a secret, but certain gestures could indicate that people are hiding something they don’t want others to find out, such as:
• They walk with their hands in their pockets.
• They cross their arms.
• They hide their hands any way they can.

Indications That They Are Frustrated/ Dismayed

A basketball coach whose team loses by a point may say “Aaarrrrrrr!” or he may just keep quiet while making certain body movements that indicate how disappointed he is. Here are some hints that indicate frustration.
• They are scratching/rubbing the hair or the back of the neck.
• You often hear the word “Tsk.”
• They kick the dust or air.