Interview: How to understand your body language in 6 lessons?
25 October 2011
Read by 2675 persons
In an interview, at the office, your gestures reveal you, your looks speak volumes, the position of your hands, the orientation of your body... Everything speaks to those who know how to decipher, and betrays your state of mind.
Yes, the spoken word expresses, but there is a parallel, underground language, more encrypted: that of your body language, which complements it, affirms it, or even denies it. Indeed, gesture is often much less controlled, mastered.
It can, therefore, be easy for your interlocutor to read your emotions of the moment.
1. Watch the movement of your hands and legs
Pay attention to the movements of your hands, legs and feet because these are a discourse within your discourse.
The movement of the hands informs about the authenticity or spontaneity of your words:
* a person with stiff hands or close to the body controls their responses.
* a person whose hands remain close to or in perfect contact with the body is not at ease, or even lies.
During an interview, crossing your legs, or even your arms, is a gesture of protection or resistance, of closure, often to the discourse facing it.
Therefore, try not to adopt an attitude that may be perceived as negative.
2. Your gaze speaks volumes
The gaze is what is most expressive in a face. Don't we say, moreover, that it is "the mirror of the soul"? It is also a source of information on the process of your thought. If it is impossible to master it, it is, on the other hand, necessary to orient it slightly.
Thus, looking directly into the eyes of your interlocutor is a good thing if this gaze is frank without being insolent, arrogant or haughty.
Often, it reveals a memory effort, following a given question.
*a gaze directed upwards evokes images already seen.
*a frontal gaze, eyes half-closed, suggests that the person hears familiar sounds or is looking for a voice.
*a downward gaze means that the person is experiencing sensations, emotions and is drawing on their memories.
3. Your body language is associated with your speech
Your interlocutor will not fail to observe you following a question. Indeed, any gesture can be a silent answer.
Thus:
*if a person scratches their head, it is because they are also looking for the answer they do not yet possess.
*if a person rubs their chin, we can deduce that they already have an answer, but that they are not quite sure and are waiting for approval on the subject.
*if a person runs their hand through their neck, it is because they have their answer but fear the reaction of their "opponent".
Other gestures indicate the need to reassure oneself or to relax:
*smoothing a strand of hair in one's fingers,
*rubbing one's hands or sliding them over one's thighs,
*touching one's lips or nose with one's fingertips.
The same goes for people who smoke a cigarette, twist their fingers or bite their nails.
4. "Does it tickle you or does it itch you?"
More discreet but just as detectable and therefore decipherable, people who scratch themselves.
Scratching your arm, for example, is a sign of impatience or even exasperation, a desire to move on.
In other cases, scratching is not just an indication of reflection. It can be the revealer of a situation of discomfort, which suggests that the person is keeping something inside, which they would like, but do not dare, or cannot, express.
5. Note your body posture
Your body posture on the chair speaks volumes about you. Watch your back in particular.
*a tense, nervous person, already defeated, shows an attitude of submission. Their back will be curved, heavy.
*a confident person will stand straight, without being stiff or rigid.
As for the general movement of your body, when directed forward, with arms and legs uncrossed, supple and relaxed, it translates an attitude of sharing, benevolence and openness to others.
Tense towards the back, thrown back a little distance, it is an attitude of flight or fear. To be avoided, therefore.
6. Consider the distance between you and the person facing you
Distance is a clear indication of the intellectual and social proximity you have with your interlocutor. Respect the famous "security bubble" but don't move too far from the perimeter of the exchange.
*a person who faces you looking you in the eyes seeks dialogue and debate. This is a direct and reciprocal communication where each person presents their point of view and seeks to convince, persuade. Note that this is also the typical position of salespeople but also rivals.
*a person who places themselves at an angle is neutral and does not necessarily seek to enter into the discussion.
*a person who positions themselves three-quarters is open without aggression. This position is dear to politicians.
Don't forget that if it is true that your body language expresses what you feel, this is no less true for the person who is in front of you...
Article written by The ReKrute.com team
Posted online October 25, 2011.
Yes, the spoken word expresses, but there is a parallel, underground language, more encrypted: that of your body language, which complements it, affirms it, or even denies it. Indeed, gesture is often much less controlled, mastered.
It can, therefore, be easy for your interlocutor to read your emotions of the moment.
1. Watch the movement of your hands and legs
Pay attention to the movements of your hands, legs and feet because these are a discourse within your discourse.
The movement of the hands informs about the authenticity or spontaneity of your words:
* a person with stiff hands or close to the body controls their responses.
* a person whose hands remain close to or in perfect contact with the body is not at ease, or even lies.
During an interview, crossing your legs, or even your arms, is a gesture of protection or resistance, of closure, often to the discourse facing it.
Therefore, try not to adopt an attitude that may be perceived as negative.
2. Your gaze speaks volumes
The gaze is what is most expressive in a face. Don't we say, moreover, that it is "the mirror of the soul"? It is also a source of information on the process of your thought. If it is impossible to master it, it is, on the other hand, necessary to orient it slightly.
Thus, looking directly into the eyes of your interlocutor is a good thing if this gaze is frank without being insolent, arrogant or haughty.
Often, it reveals a memory effort, following a given question.
*a gaze directed upwards evokes images already seen.
*a frontal gaze, eyes half-closed, suggests that the person hears familiar sounds or is looking for a voice.
*a downward gaze means that the person is experiencing sensations, emotions and is drawing on their memories.
3. Your body language is associated with your speech
Your interlocutor will not fail to observe you following a question. Indeed, any gesture can be a silent answer.
Thus:
*if a person scratches their head, it is because they are also looking for the answer they do not yet possess.
*if a person rubs their chin, we can deduce that they already have an answer, but that they are not quite sure and are waiting for approval on the subject.
*if a person runs their hand through their neck, it is because they have their answer but fear the reaction of their "opponent".
Other gestures indicate the need to reassure oneself or to relax:
*smoothing a strand of hair in one's fingers,
*rubbing one's hands or sliding them over one's thighs,
*touching one's lips or nose with one's fingertips.
The same goes for people who smoke a cigarette, twist their fingers or bite their nails.
4. "Does it tickle you or does it itch you?"
More discreet but just as detectable and therefore decipherable, people who scratch themselves.
Scratching your arm, for example, is a sign of impatience or even exasperation, a desire to move on.
In other cases, scratching is not just an indication of reflection. It can be the revealer of a situation of discomfort, which suggests that the person is keeping something inside, which they would like, but do not dare, or cannot, express.
5. Note your body posture
Your body posture on the chair speaks volumes about you. Watch your back in particular.
*a tense, nervous person, already defeated, shows an attitude of submission. Their back will be curved, heavy.
*a confident person will stand straight, without being stiff or rigid.
As for the general movement of your body, when directed forward, with arms and legs uncrossed, supple and relaxed, it translates an attitude of sharing, benevolence and openness to others.
Tense towards the back, thrown back a little distance, it is an attitude of flight or fear. To be avoided, therefore.
6. Consider the distance between you and the person facing you
Distance is a clear indication of the intellectual and social proximity you have with your interlocutor. Respect the famous "security bubble" but don't move too far from the perimeter of the exchange.
*a person who faces you looking you in the eyes seeks dialogue and debate. This is a direct and reciprocal communication where each person presents their point of view and seeks to convince, persuade. Note that this is also the typical position of salespeople but also rivals.
*a person who places themselves at an angle is neutral and does not necessarily seek to enter into the discussion.
*a person who positions themselves three-quarters is open without aggression. This position is dear to politicians.
Don't forget that if it is true that your body language expresses what you feel, this is no less true for the person who is in front of you...
Article written by The ReKrute.com team
Posted online October 25, 2011.
