During the job search process, interviews are arguably the most stressful stage. To emerge victorious in an interview, thorough preparation is essential—even seemingly minor gestures should not be overlooked. American psychologists recently highlighted six negative habits to avoid during interviews.
Fiddling with clothing while speaking. Due to nerves or discomfort, job seekers may unconsciously tug at their shirt hem or fiddle with buttons during conversations.This gesture readily signals your anxiety to the interviewer, conveying an impression of immaturity and restlessness.
Crossing your legs or folding your arms. Constantly switching leg positions indicates impatience, while maintaining a crossed-leg posture may be perceived as impolite. Folding your arms across your chest further conveys a sense of rejection or refusal.Therefore, maintain proper posture during job interviews: sit upright with feet flat on the floor and stay relaxed. Fiddling with hair. Frequently brushing hair from your forehead reveals sensitivity and nervousness, while also making others feel disrespected. To prevent this habit from affecting your interview outcome, tie back long hair or keep it neatly styled. This looks sharp and prevents unconscious hair-tugging.
Exaggerated body language. While appropriate gestures can help clarify your points during an interview, overly animated or dramatic movements may create an impression of instability. Therefore, maintain a steady and composed demeanor throughout the interview.
Shifty eyes. Darting your gaze around during an interview can make the interviewer feel you're an insecure candidate who lacks trust in anything. The best approach is to smile, maintain eye contact with the speaker, and tilt your head slightly.