We have been talking about the vital interviewing skills that you need to develop. Here is the next part of that discussion:
Master The Art of Eye Contact
This is so important and most people who interview miss this. You probably feel a little awkward looking at the interviewer, but did you know that you look even more awkward if you don’t maintain good eye contact? This skill can make or break your interview. If you don’t maintain eye contact, you come across as unprofessional and lacking confidence. You also may appear shifty or unreliable to some interviewers. The greatest things could be coming out of your mouth, but the interviewer won’t even notice because the lack of eye contact is so prominent.
If have a tendency to avoid eye contact in an interview, then it is important that you practice this skill until you are good at it. Keep in mind that you are not staring down the interviewer. If you think about a typical conversation with someone else, you will notice that people typically look away briefly and then re-establish eye contact. You can do this during an interview too. Just make sure that you don’t look down in your lap or up at the ceiling because this can indicate that you don’t know the answer to the question. A good way to practice eye contact is to conduct an interview of yourself in the mirror. Watch to see if you look down or spend too much time looking away. If you want an even more realistic approach, have someone you know interview you and provide you with constructive criticism.
The Importance of Body Language
Essentially, your body language says what you think about yourself. Confident people sit up straight and look you in the eye. Those with less confidence will look down, slouch, cross their arms, etc. Even if you are not feeling especially confident in the interview, it is important that you act the part. Avoid the following: slouching, hair twirling, playing with your pen or putting it in your mouth, crossing your arms, fidgeting and unpleasant facial expressions (like scowling). Instead, focus on these: smile, sit upright, keep your arms relaxed in your lap, maintain good eye contact and show active listening. These things will do wonders with the general impression that you give during your interview.