Avoid This Behavior When Interviewing

Displaying low energy is a common mistake candidates make when interviewing. Behaviors such as, slumped shoulders, poor eye contact, not smiling, and a seemingly overall lack of confidence do not win interviewers over. Whether it’s nerves or lack of awareness – it’s important to appear enthused. If you are naturally more introverted, you might have to work a bit harder to acknowledge your interest.

The first step to negate the feeling or appearance of apathy is to smile. Smiling can trick your brain into happiness. The act of smiling activates neural messaging that benefits your health and happiness. It also instantly lifts your mood and boosts your confidence. As you’re walking to meet your interviewer, your smile is a welcome gesture.  It reassures them that you are excited about being at their company.

If you are exhibiting low energy, the interviewer may interpret it as a lack of interest, respect or boredom. However, there are ways to avoid giving the appearance you are less than enthused;

• Your posture – As soon as you arrive, square your posture; shoulders back and down, lift your head up, just a bit.
• How you sit in your seat – Avoid sitting all the way back in your chair. Depending on the type of chair you are offered, placing your back against the chair may be a bit constraining or could make you look too casual. Sit instead, just halfway and more towards the front.
• Ask questions – if the interviewer asks if you have any questions and you keep saying no, they are going to think you are disinterested. You can ask to hear more about a certain responsibility or job duty, why the role is open or a more thorough description of the department you’ll be working in.
• Eye contact – If maintaining eye contact is tough for you…practice! Make sure you look at the interviewer when you are responding to a question. You can always break away momentarily when thinking of your response and then resume, if holding it for longer periods is difficult.

As with most things, moderation is the key. Let your enthusiasm come through in whatever way that means for you. Leaning slightly forward toward the interviewers conveys interest, asking additional questions outside the back and forth structured format and even verbally expressing interest upon the close of the interview. You will be hired for who you are and the way your skills and talents can contribute to the company. Now, who wouldn’t get excited about that?