1. Body LanguageBody Language
How to present
yourself
in a job interview

2. Outline
 introduction/ basic information
- importance of body language
- interpersonal distance
- signs of nervousness
 greeting / saying goodbye
– first impression
– handshake
– posture

3. Outline
 in the interview
– sitting position
– arms/ hands
– eyes
 6 golden rules

4. Basic information

5. Significance of body
language
38%
55%
7%
non verbal
intonation
content
Basic information

6. InterpersonInterperson
alal
distancedistance
• 0 – 0.5 m: intimate distance
• 0.5 – 1.2 m: personal distance
• 1.2 – 3.5 m: social distance
• 3.5 m and more: public distance
Basic information

7. Don’t let it show!
Basic information

8. Signs of
nervousness
 Less control
o restlessness
o fast eye movement, winking
o no straight eye contact
o shaky and wet hands
o changed, high pitch of voice
o fast, less controlled speech
o sweating
o pulling hair back
o fidgeting with jewelry
o shy smile
Basic information

9. Being conscious of your own
body language is the first
step to succeed in a
job interview!
Basic information

10. Greeting

11. The first impression
 the first
3-7 seconds
 decisive
Greeting

12. Legs
closed legs
• uncommunicative
• cramped
• uncertain
crossed legs
• no fixed position
(frequent change)
• uncertain
Greeting

13. open legs
• clear position
• self assured
one leg forward
• open
• communicative
• curious
Greeting

14. The “right“ handshake
Greeting

15. Strong
handshake
 confidence
 competence
Limp handshake
 insecurity
 incompetence
Greeting

16.  “bone breaker”
 “touching fingertips”
Greeting

17.  stiff arm
 pulling arm
 two-handed
Greeting

18.  grasp elbow
 grasp upper arm
 grasp shoulder
Greeting

19. In the interview

20. Sitting position
 taking the whole seat
 feet steady on the floor
 sitting up straight
 slightly leant forward
 taking the seat before it has
been offered to you
 wiggling
 nervous movements
In the interview

21. Sitting position
 Sitting at the edge
 to be in a hurry
In the interview

22. Sitting position
 to lean back
passivity
 arrogance
 disinterest
In the interview

23. Sitting position
 feet crossed under chair
 not steady on floor
 uncertainty
In the interview

24. “body barriers” 
In the interview

25. “hiding hands”
 not showing your hands
 uncommunicative
 “keeping secrets”
In the interview

26. Eyes
Keep eye contact
without staring
 self-confident
 attention/ interest
 to avert the eyes
 uncertainty
 disinterest
In the interview

27. 6 golden rules
1. straight posture
2. appropriate distance
3. frequent eye contact
4. strong handshake
5. natural gestures
6. moderate pitch

28. Thank you
for your attention!