Little unintentional signals can be interpreted by your interviewer to make you seem like the real deal OR the imposter. You need to be aware of a few rules and learn to take control of your physical style.

This tutorial gives you the rules for managing your body language at interview

We all know that despite Tony Blair claiming to stand shoulder to shoulder with George W Bush for example, we often witnessed shots of him looking uncomfortable, being ushered into aeroplanes and doorways by the far more assertive President Bush. He was clearly number two to the US rooster in this particular pecking order.

Now imagine if Blair was buying and Bush was selling, but the body language remained constant. Would Blair buy? Who knows, but I expect he’d feel uncomfortable.

So, if you’ve been taught to give an aggressive hand-shake, to laugh at every mildly amusing point, to pat someone on the back, or to NOT fold your arms, REMEMBER, it really is a case of horses for courses. And what does a successful horse do? Adapts to the particular circumstance.

That’s why mirroring your interviewer’s body language is the most effective method. You are adapting and in doing so, putting your interviewer at ease.

Mirroring examples:
1: If the interviewer sits upright, close to the table – do the same
2: If the interviewer sits side on – sit at a similar angle
3: They will give you eye contact – make sure you maintain good eye contact
4: If the interview gesticulates – feel free to do this in your answers

Take Away Points

> Copy the body language of your interview and be aware of the impact your physical behaviour can have.
> Make your interviewer feel comfortable by being the one to adapt, rather than making him or her adapt.