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PwC Employability E-learn Interview script - Body language

Video – Body language:

It is said that the majority of our communication is conducted through non-verbal communication, or in other words, our body language. So, your body language says a lot about you and it’s important to think about how you present yourself in an interview situation.

Let’s have a closer look at our three candidates.

Here’s Jessica. Note how she is engaged with the interviewer - nodding and maintaining a good level of eye contact when being asked the question. This shows us that she is actively listening to the question.

Now look at the difference body language makes. Let’s do this by watching another clip from Jessica and one from Simon.

Here, Jessica shows signs she is nervous as she is fidgeting with her hands and looking down when the interviewer asks her a question. Simon, behaves similarly too, look at how he is looking down, crossing his arms and biting his nails suggesting he is uncomfortable.

Can you see the difference your body language will have on how you come across to the interviewer? In these two clips Simon and Jessica indicate to us that they’re not listening to the question. The start of the interview - is a great opportunity for you to demonstrate your active listening skills by looking at the interviewer and acknowledging the question that you have been asked. Consider what you might do to improve on this aspect when preparing for your interview.

Here is another example of when body language may impact on what you’re saying.

In this clip Simon is covering his mouth and his arms are across his body implying he is uncomfortable in this situation and is clearly very nervous. This is a shame because it completely detracts from what he is actually saying.

In the next clip you’ll see the difference your body language can make to your response.

Here, Jessica is sitting upright and is calm and poised ready to listen to the question asked and respond appropriately. Her body language implies confidence as well as active listening through her nodding (0.31).

 In the next example, we can see Jessica’s engagement with the interviewer as she leans in when speaking. I think you’ll agree she seems to be enjoying the experience and is relaxed in her response which is visible through her fluid body movement.

She is enthusiastic in her response as we can see through her use of hand gestures in the next clip.

Remember, we do a lot of our “speaking” with non-verbal communication, so consider how you could emphasise some of your key points and demonstrate your engagement. Do what feels natural to you. Try rehearsing your response in a mirror to see how you communicate, and if you need to; why not ask your friends to give you their opinion.

Have a look at another example from Jessica and think about what she is “saying” with her body language here.

Here Jessica looks uneasy. Her avoidance of eye contact implies a lack of conviction in her response. This doesn’t mean you can’t break eye contact with your interviewer but try to spend more time looking at your interviewer than looking away. This might be easier if you’re being interviewed by more than one person, as you can look at different people. Making eye contact will help you really engage and build a relationship with the person or people you are having a conversation with.

As you’re watching the next clip, think about how Simon might come across to the interviewer.

I bet you noticed his crossed arms? Crossing your arms creates an imaginary barrier between you and your interviewer and will do little to help you build rapport with them. Consider where you put your hands in relation to your body; sit comfortably but demonstrate you’re open to the experience.  

You can see the difference here in how Sonia’s sitting – she looks open and ready to answer the questions, she’s sitting upright and conveys confidence through this.

A few nerves can often be a good thing, they keep you on our toes and let’s face it, it’s a nerve-racking situation so you’re never going to be completely relaxed. However, we’ve seen how nerves can affect you negatively. So, if you’re feeling nervous - smile, this will help you to feel more at ease and you’ll look more in control too. Think about how this would have helped Jessica in the earlier examples.

Watch the next two clips for some examples of the difference this can make.

Simon and Jessica are both smiling when giving their responses in these two clips. This helps them to build rapport with their interviewers; did you find yourself smiling back at them? If so, imagine what difference that will make if the interviewer feels the same. Smiling is a natural thing to do – remember, the interviewers want to see what you’re really like, and you’re not expected to be a robot just because you’re doing an interview!

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