Body Language During a Job Interview

Your resume was great, now its time for the interview. Dress neatly, be on time and look the interviewer in the eye are all about putting your best foot forward when your resume gets you in for an interview.

Were you aware that body language is much more effective than a spoken word and the visual impressions will likely help an employer decide whether or not to hire you? Make every minute count in the interview as both your body language and appearance are normally completed with the first 5 minutes.

It helps to have your goals in mind when you go in for the interview, some of those goals may include: adding information about the company and the potential job, to decide if the job is right for you as well as whether or not you want the job, you want to give the company important information about yourself and of course, you are absolutely trying to impress the potential employer. You may also want to keep your employers goals in mind, which may include: to hire the best possible candidate by promoting the company, to determine whether or not the candidate would be a good fit for the company, and to decide how well this persons qualifications match both the staff and job requirements.

Your past work experience is very likely to be the most important part of the interview. Your education is also important, but most employers are more impressed by extensive work experience than by university degrees. Potential employers want to know exactly what you did and how well you did it. It is important to give detailed answers to their questions. This is the part of the interview during which you can make the best impression. Be confident and emphasize your accomplishments in past positions.

It is likely you will be asked something similar to why do you want to work for this company and try to respond with several positive points about the company, do not respond with anything negative about your previous employer. When asked what you can bring to this company it is fine to really lay out your skills and accomplishments. Citing personal growth and new challenges are appropriate answers if you are asked what this company can offer you that your other company cannot, it is important not to talk about money at this point. Try not to let a tough question stump you, just think before you answer. If the company asks you whether you like working in a big or small company naturally you want to base your answer on their size. If its big you enjoy working with a big stable company, if they are small you can tell them you really enjoy the team spirit and closeness a small company can offer.

In order to wow your potential employer run through a few practice interviews first until you are feeling more comforta

Robert Watson is the author of Job Hunters Handbook, teaching the skills and techniques of how to hunt for a job, using the skills and techniques of a professional headhunter and consulter.