by Lisa Divirgilio

Created on: December 08, 2008

The way you present yourself at an interview goes much deeper than the clothing your wearing. Body language can be the one aspect of you that potential employers may see "unrehearsed," if you will. You may have gone through the questions that they could ask you, brought your resume and even past projects to show your ability to perform well, but have you practiced how you'll shake their hand, sit in a chair or hold your hands?

These movements, or stances are crucial to the interviewer. They watch for your demeanor under what they consider to be a highly stressful situation - the first interview. They can judge from this first encounter your ability to remain calm, cool and collected, yet still seem interested and attentive. The ability to master this can be somewhat difficult.

A few pointers include never leaning against the back of the chair, never having your hands in an interlocked hold and lastly, resisti the constant throat clearing.

By not leaning against the back of the chair as you sit, you're forcing yourself to sit tall. This will help you appear more confident to the employer. Standing or sitting tall has other benefits as well. It will make you appear slimmer since it engages your core muscles and it is also easier to vocalize this way due to little restraint on your lungs.

Secondly, never interlock your hands. This can give you the "white-knuckle" syndrome. Also, it can create for a wet palm handshake at the end of the interview which is definitely not what you want as a last impression. If you feel the need to do something with your hands, you may lay one on top of the other on your lap. This presents a cool and collected appearance with little ability to "white-knuckle."

Lastly, the constant throat clearing is not only distracting, but it is at times repulsive. You want to appear healthy and ready to go, not getting over a cold and needing a glass of water. By eliminating this behavior, you'll be able to have your potential employer concentrate on whats most important - your words. So leave the bodily sounds outside the building.

Having a cool demeanor can resonate within an interview. It helps the employer to feel relaxed and in turn gives you the ability to have them remember you as someone they felt comfortable around. Once you master the technique of good body language during an interview, the possibility of job opportunities opens even further.

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