Advertisement

Help
You are here: Rediff Home » India » Get Ahead » Careers
Search:  Rediff.com The Web
  Email this Page  |   Write to us

Back | Next

Sitting

April 29, 2008
Keep your posture confident and relaxed. A good trick is to take a deep breath when you sit down and lower your shoulders. It will make the interviewer response positively to you. Make sure you do not slump down in your chair or lean back away from the interviewer. It will look as if you are not interested. Instead, sit back into the chair so that you are well supported and, if you can, rest your elbows on the chair arms.

Personal space
Be aware of rules on personal space. Make sure your chair is positioned so that you can chat easily without invading the interviewer's territory. If you break the unwritten space rules, you could scupper your chances of success.

Open body language
Avoid leg and arm barriers and closed body language -- you will just look defensive or submissive. Keep your gestures open and relaxed.

If there is a desk between you and the interviewer, sit back slightly so you have room to move freely. If you want to emphasize a point, keep your palms open and towards the interviewer to look friendly.

At the same time, be aware of how relaxed or formal their interviewer is. Stay in tune with them and let them set the tone for the interview. If you relax too much and are far more laid-back than they are, you will appear either sloppy or overconfident. If, on the other hand, you are too formal, they will find it hard to relate to you.

Photograph: Chris Hondros/Getty Images
Also read: Performance appraisal dos and don'ts

Back | Next

© 2007 Rediff.com India Limited. All Rights Reserved.Disclaimer | Feedback