INTERVIEW SUCCESS there is a gap between your hands so you aren ’ t blocking your interviewer . This helps avoid any awkward “ What should I do with my hands !?” moments that may arise and keeps you open .
HAVE ONE BAG
This might sound crazy , but research has found that when people carry more than one item , they look disorganized , messy , and scattered .
• If you are a man , carry one briefcase .
• If you are a woman , have one purse and leave your notes or resumé inside .
Also , jackets count . If possible , have the receptionist or secretary take your coat and hat before you walk into the interview . This simple trick is a nonverbal way to make you look sharper and more put together .
Pro Tip : Carry a slim briefcase or purse . C-level executives often carry slim briefcases for the most important notes . Bulkier briefcases signal people who have too much work — and often , those are the workers who have lower status .
DON ’ T FORGET THE BACK OF YOUR SHOES !
One study found that female interviewers look at the back of a person ’ s shoes in almost every interview1
Pro Tip : Women , men have been shown to look at a woman ’ s rear as they exit ( yikes !). To avoid this , as you ’ re walking out , simply turn your head back , make light eye contact , and give a warm smile in return .
SMILE RIGHT
A lot of interview advice says that people should smile more in interviews , but this is not always a good idea . What ’ s better is to smile right . People who smile too much are actually perceived as submissive and weak !
Many studies have shown that people in positions of power actually do not smile much at all but rather smile at the right time .
DON ’ T CONTRACT , DON ’ T EXPAND
In an interview , you want to take up the right amount of space . When we are nervous , we tend to “ turtle ,” which is when we bring our neck down and our shoulders up to take up less space . We also try to make ourselves as small as possible — women cross their legs , men fold their arms over their chest . This shows the interviewer you are insecure and can make it look like you have something to hide . So , relax your arms , plant your feet , and don ’ t let your body show your tension .
Occasionally , men will do the opposite : they will try to claim territory by taking up as much space as possible , draping an arm over the couch , or spreading legs wide while they talk . This is very aggressive and will make the other person take subconscious ( or even conscious ) note of the territorial move .
Insider Tip : Sometimes when people are nervous , they tend to grip the arms of their chair or clench their fists at their sides . This subconsciously sends the signal that you are preparing for battle or are defensive . Take deep breaths and keep your hands loose and relaxed .
START IN THE PARKING LOT
When possible , start all of your nonverbal tips in the parking lot before you even enter the building . There are two reasons for this :
1 . Bosses , colleagues , and interviewers might see you in the parking lot or in the elevator , and
2 . You only get one chance to make a first impression .
I have heard many stories of people who were friendly in an elevator , and that person ended up being one of the people who made a hiring decision .
You want to smile when you first meet the person and shake their hand , when you talk about subjects you are passionate about , and at the end of the interview while saying goodbye . This is especially important for females — smiling too much because you are nervous or trying to build rapport actually does the opposite : it makes females look less smart , not more friendly . +
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Vanessa Van Edwards is Lead Investigator at Science of People . She is the bestselling author of Captivate : The Science of Succeeding with People , translated into 16 languages . More than 50 million people watch her engaging YouTube tutorials and TEDx Talk . Her much anticipated new book Cues was released on March 1st , 2022 . Vanessa shares tangible skills to improve interpersonal communication and leadership , including her insights on how people work . She ’ s developed a sciencebased framework for understanding different personalities to improve our EQ and help us communicate with colleagues , clients , and customers . Vanessa works with entrepreneurs , growing businesses , and trillion-dollar companies ; and has been featured on CNN , BBC , CBS Mornings , Fast Company , Inc . Magazine , Entrepreneur Magazine , USA Today , The Today Show , and many more . Millions visit her website every month for her methods turning “ soft skills ” into actionable , masterable frameworks that can be applied in daily life . Hundreds of thousands of students have taken her communication courses on Udemy , CreativeLive , LinkedIn , and her flagship course People School . Vanessa is renowned for teaching sciencebacked people skills to audiences around the world including SxSW , MIT , and CES . Her groundbreaking and engaging workshops and courses teach individuals how to succeed in business and life by understanding the hidden dynamics of people . She regularly speaks to innovative companies including Google , Facebook , Comcast , Miller-Coors , Microsoft , Amazon , and Univision . She has been a spokesperson for Dove , American Express , Clean & Clear , and Symantec .
Read more at : scienceofpeople . com / media
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