How Important is Body Language During a Video Job Interview?
At its core, a job interview is a conversation between the candidate and one or more interviewers. Traditionally, a face to face final interview has been considered the pentacle of progression in the interview process. Sitting across the table from a hiring manager, we are able to use all of our five senses to read and interpret their body language. In the current state of social distancing, very few, if any, job interviews are being conducted in person and it is uncertain exactly how long this will continue. The entire process from application to job offer is now conducted remotely. It is imperative that the body language you present is viewed positively.
You are being scrutinized very carefully during a video interview. The interviewer is limited to using two of their senses, sight and sound, to analyze and interpret your words, facial expression, energy and hand gestures. Personal attributes that may not be noticed during an interview held in a conference room are highly magnified on video. The face is on full display, the main focus of the interviewer. A soft smacking of the lips in a conference room can be drowned out by the air conditioner but when amplified in a microphone can become annoying. The piece of hair that continues to fall into your eyes can be very distracting when your face fills the computer screen. Better to enhance your professional skills and competencies than the little physical features that can become large irritations.
Below are 4 areas of body mindfulness to enhance your next video interview:
Postural mindfulness
Sit up straight, relaxed and erect. If needed, put a pillow behind your lumbar area to help with sitting up straight. Ensure your shoulders are relaxed, not hunched up or slumped downward. Having your shoulders hunched up makes the neck appear shorter. It can also make you more tense. If you were in the interviewer’s presence you certainly would not slump your shoulders so don't do it on a video call. It causes you to look bored or disinterested, lacking in energy. Some video interviews can last for several hours so finding a posture that evokes positivity and stamina is essential. You don’t want to look like a robot, so relax and if needed feel free to lean in toward the interviewer when making a point just as you would in a face to face interview. Just be sure of where you are in relation to the camera so that one facial feature isn’t prominent in the camera view. Your nose or chin isn’t the star, your entire face is!
It is best to practice how you will be seated before the interview. Have a friend Skype or Zoom with you to determine if you are presenting a proper, relaxed posture that is the appropriate distance from the camera. Ask your friend to help you determine the lighting that flatters you best. You can also use the little square box in the corner on Zoom or Skype that shows your image. Let it be your guide to how you are being seen on camera.
Just as in a face to face interview, posture tells a lot about a person and it is the same with a video interview.
Fidgeting mindfulness
Some people can't sit still. They always wiggle a leg, foot or squirm while sitting. Fidgeting when nervous is also common. Unconscious restlessness can be seen on video and is a huge distraction to the interviewer. A jiggling leg can cause your upper body to slightly sway and can be dizzying. An interviewer could interpret your fidgeting as lack of confidence or lack of knowledge. Neither is a good look. Research has shown that fidgeting is the body's way of telling us it needs activity to rid itself of excess energy.
I had a client who admitted to being a fidgeter. Before any interview, he would do the “ROCKY” dance for about 15 seconds to relieve the nerves. He could then stay still throughout the interview. If you are a fidgeter, find a way to expend some energy before the job interview.
Eye mindfulness
Eye contact is important no matter the method of interview and even more important in a video interview. Eye contact is an indicator of active listening, confidence, relatability and connectedness all important elements of a successful job interview. Looking at the camera on a computer is awkward and makes eye contact difficult. Try to look directly into the camera or slightly below it so that the interviewer feels as if you are really looking at them when you speak. If you are looking into the middle of the screen, the interviewer sees you looking slightly downward. It’s awkward to look into a camera but just as in a face to face interview, lack of eye contact could be interpreted as insecurity, lack of knowledge or worst case, lying.
It is natural for humans to look to one side or the other whenever we are thinking or considering an answer. This is also normal during a video interview. Continuous looking to the side or anywhere but the camera should not occur. It feels odd to the interviewer making them question your honesty and confidence. The interviewer cannot see the rest of you. They can only use 2 of their senses during the interview so don’t give them any reason to assume anything about you and why you are choosing not to look directly at them.
The square box in the corner of the screen is a problem for many. This box contains your image as you are being seen by the interviewer. It’s odd to watch ourselves interact and it’s tempting to check ourselves out, fix our hair etc. Covering this box with a post-it or tape can take this temptation out of the picture allowing you to fully focus on the interview.
Hand gestures mindfulness
Hand gestures are an innate part of our personality. Vanessa Van Edwards and the team at Science of People conducted a STUDY to understand why some Ted talks go viral and others don’t. They found that hand gestures made the speakers more charismatic. Additionally “the talks that had the most hand gestures correlated with the talks that were overall favorites.” For those of us who speak with our hands this is fantastic news… until the video interview is introduced.
Allow your hands to be a part of the video interview. I have observed that my clients have the tendency to lock their hands in position and place them firmly on the table never to be moved. Let your hands be a part of the conversation but monitor them. Overuse can be a huge distraction for the interviewer. Use your hands for emphasis or points of passion.
A video interview is not a face to face interview. It is imperative to make it as personal as possible in order for the interviewer to see you as you would be in person. Let your personality and authenticity shine through using the video platform to your best advantage!
I offer a completely free 30 minute introductory job interview coaching session. Contact me today to prepare for your tomorrow!