Unit - 2

Oral Communication - Meaning, Advantages and

Limitations
Oral communication implies communication through mouth. It includes individuals conversing with each
other, be it direct conversation or telephonic conversation. Speeches, presentations, discussions are all
forms of oral communication. Oral communication is generally recommended when the communication
matter is of temporary kind or where a direct interaction is required. Face to face, communication
(meetings, lectures, conferences, interviews, etc.) is significant to build a rapport and trust.

Advantages of Oral Communication

● There is high level of understanding and transparency in oral communication as it is
interpersonal.
● There is no element of rigidity in oral communication. There is flexibility for allowing changes in
the decisions previously taken.
● The feedback is spontaneous in case of oral communication. Thus, decisions can be made
quickly without any delay.
● Oral communication is not only time saving, but it also saves upon money and efforts.
● Oral communication is best in case of problem resolution. The conflicts, disputes and many
issues/differences can be put to an end by talking them over.
● Oral communication is an essential for teamwork and group energy.
● Oral communication promotes a receptive and encouraging morale among organizational
employees.
● Oral communication can be best used to transfer private and confidential information/matter.

Disadvantages/Limitations of Oral Communication

● Relying only on oral communication may not be sufficient, as business communication is formal
and very organized.
● Oral communication is less authentic than written communication as they are informal and not as
organized as written communication.
● Oral communication is timesaving as far as daily interactions are concerned, but in case of
meetings, long speeches consume lot of time and are unproductive at times.
● Oral communications are not easy to maintain and thus they are unsteady.
● There may be misunderstandings as the information is not complete and may lack essentials.
● It requires attentiveness and great receptivity on part of the receivers/audience.
● Oral communication (such as speeches) is not frequently used as legal records except in
investigation work.

What is Non Verbal Communication?

It is communication of feelings, emotions, attitudes, and thoughts through body movements / gestures /
eye contact, etc.

The components of Non Verbal Communication are:

▪ Kinesics: It is the study of facial expressions, postures & gestures. Did you know that while in
Argentina to raise a fist in the air with knuckles pointing outwards expresses victory, in Lebanon,
raising a closed fist is considered rude?
▪ Oculesics: It is the study of the role of eye contact in nonverbal communication. Did you know
that in the first 90 sec - 4 min you decide that you are interested in someone or not. Studies
reveal that 50% of this first impression comes from non-verbal communication, which includes
oculesics. Only 7% of comes from words - that we actually say.
▪ Haptics: It is the study of touching. Did you know that acceptable level of touching vary from one
culture to another? In Thailand, touching someone's head may be considered as rude.
▪ Proxemics: It is the study of measurable distance between people as they interact. Did you know
that the amount of personal space when having an informal conversation should vary between 18
inches - 4 feet while, the personal distance needed when speaking to a crowd of people should
be around 10-12 feet?
▪ Chronemics: It is the study of use of time in non-verbal communication. Have you ever observed
that while AN employee will not worry about running a few minutes late to meet a colleague, a
manager who has a meeting with the CEO, a late arrival will be considered as a nonverbal cue
that he / she does not give adequate respect to his superior?
▪ Paralinguistics: It is the study of variations in pitch, speed, volume, and pauses to convey
meaning. Interestingly, when the speaker is making a presentation and is looking for a response,
he will pause. However, when no response is desired, he will talk faster with minimal pause.
▪ Physical Appearance: Your physical appearance always contributes towards how people
perceive you. Neatly combed hair, ironed clothes and a lively smile will always carry more weight
than words.

Remember, “What we say” is less important than “how we say it” as words are only 7% of our
communication. Understand and enjoy nonverbal communication as it helps forming better first
impressions.

Use of Body Language in Communication

All must understand kinesics or study of body language. Whether it is an interview or a presentation,
one must be aware of how to use body language effectively.

Read on to understand more about various nonverbal components of communication...

1. Eye Contact: Always maintain eye contact with your audience. However, a person must ensure
that he / she should not fix his gaze at one person for more than 5 seconds. Too much fluttering
of eyes could indicate lack of confidence. Staring at a person could be daunting and hence is not
such a good idea.
2. Hand Shake: While shaking hands especially in a professional environment, the handshake
should be firm and not loose. An iron handshake [very strong handshake] can indicate that a
person is trying to dominate.
3. Crossing your Arms: Crossing your arms could imply that a person is not open to new ideas /
opinion especially in case of giving a presentation. However, in a one-on-one interview if the
interviewer has his / her arms crossed, the candidate could do the same.
4. Sitting Posture: Leaning on a chair is not a good idea. One must sit upright though in a relaxed
position. Sitting back in your chair implies lack of interest or rejection.
5. Gesture: Gesture refers to a type of non-verbal communication, which uses a part of the body
with or without verbal communication. Gestures include facial expressions, nods [which is a sign
of approval in most cultures], head bobbling / shaking.
6. Facial Expression: The face is a best reflection of what a person feels. More often than not, it is
easy to recognize if a person is happy, sad, anxious, irritated, or excited. It is very important that
in a professional scenario a person must control his / her facial expressions. For e.g. If a
presenter gets a feel that his presentation is not going on very well, he / she should not show the
sign of losing of hope and instead try for a greater involvement from the participants.
Guidelines for Effective Communication

Effective communication is a part and parcel of any successful organization. A communication should be
free from barriers to be effective. Communication is a two way process where the message sent by the
sender should be interpreted in the same terms by the recipient. The characteristics of effective
communication are as follows:

1. Clarity of Purpose: The message to be delivered must be clear in the mind of sender. The
person to whom it is targeted and the aim of the message should be clear in the mind of the
sender.
2. Completeness: The message delivered should not be incomplete. It should be supported by
facts and observations. It should be well planned and organized. The receiver should make no
assumptions.
3. Conciseness: The message should be concise. It should not include any unnecessary details. It
should be short and complete.
4. Feedback: Whether the message sent by the sender is understood in same terms by the receiver
or not can be judged by the feedback received. The feedback should be timely and in personal. It
should be specific rather than general.
5. Empathy: Empathy with the listeners is essential for effective verbal communication. The
speaker should step into the shoes of the listener and be sensitive to their needs and emotions.
This way he can understand things from their perspective and make communication more
effective.
6. Modify the message according to the audience: The information requirement by different
people in the organization differs according to their needs. What is relevant to the middle level
management might not be relevant to the top level of management. Use of jargons should be
minimized because it might lead to misunderstanding and misinterpretations. The message
should be modified according to the needs and requirements of the targeted audience.
7. Multiple Channels of communication: For effective communication, multiple channels should
be used as it increases the chances of clarity of message. The message is reinforced by using
different channels and there are less chances of deformation of message.
8. Make effective use of Grapevine (informal channel of communication): The employees and
managers should not always discourage grapevine. They should make effective use of grapevine.
The managers can use grapevine to deliver formal messages and for identification of issues
which are significant for the employees. The managers can get to know the problems faced by
the employees and can work upon it.

How to make a Great Presentation?

Here are few tips to ensure a great presentation...

1. State the Objectives: A presenter must ensure that he / she understands the purpose of the
presentation. Sometimes a good presentation fails to make an impact because the audience is
not clear what the presentation is about. A good way to start a presentation is to clearly state /
mention / include the objectives in the presentation.
2. Analyze your audience: The presenter must find more about his / her target audience. Whether
the audience has a specific educational background or whether they are from upper middle class
or middle class. Basis the topic / theme of the presentation, it is very important to know some
specific details of the target audience. This also helps to create a rapport with the audience
during the presentation.
3. Avoid heavy text on PowerPoint slides: Usually presentations are associated with PowerPoint
slides; however, it is always advisable to use a blend of various forms of learning. It could be a
fun activity, a short quiz, or small story. More often than not, these learning methods generate
interest of the target audience. If you still wish to use slides, write 10 or less words in each slide.
Use bullet points wherever possible. More words on one slide carry a risk with them - the
audience will get busy in reading what is written than what the presenter is saying or the audience
might just get bored by seeing many words.
4. Rehearse... Rehearse... and Rehearse: The feeling is quite different while a presenter is
presenting LIVE than when he / she is just practicing in a closed room. It is a good idea for the
presenter to practice at the venue [if possible]. This helps him get familiar with the place and the
surrounding. In addition, a presenter should make as many notes as possible and think of
possible questions that might come up during the course of presentation.
5. Revisit the objectives: Once the notes have been made, a presenter must critically analyze the
presentation with respect to the objectives of the presentation. He should ask himself questions
like - "Does this presentation match the objectives stated?", "Is this presentation flowing
logically?" In today’s market scenario, if a person is able to think, write, and present persuasively,
he has won half the battle.

Effective Presentation Skills

Presentation can be defined as a formal event characterized by teamwork and use of audio-visual
aids. The main purpose of presentation is to give information, to persuade the audience to act and to
create goodwill. A good presentation should have a good subject matter, should match with the objective,
should best fit the audience, and should be well organized.

Characteristics of a Good/Effective Presentation

1. The presentation ideas should be well adapted to your audience. Relate your presentation
message/idea to the interests of the audience. A detailed audience analysis must be made before
the presentation, i.e., an analysis of the needs, age, educational background, language, and
culture of the target audience. Their body language instantly gives the speaker the required
feedback.
2. A good presentation should be concise and should be focused on the topic. It should not move
off-track.
3. A good presentation should have the potential to convey the required information.
4. The fear should be transformed into positive energy during the presentation. Be calm and relaxed
while giving a presentation. Before beginning, wait and develop an eye contact with the audience.
Focus on conveying your message well and use a positive body language.
5. To communicate the desired information, the speaker should use more of visual aids such as
transparencies, diagrams, pictures, charts, etc. Each transparency/slide should contain limited
and essential information only. No slide should be kept on for a longer time. Try facing the
audience, rather than the screen. The speaker should not block the view. Turn on the room lights
else, the audience might fall asleep and loose interest. Organize all the visuals for making a
logical and sound presentation.
6. A good presentation must be planned. The speaker must plan how to begin the presentation,
what to speak in the middle of presentation and how to end the presentation without losing
audience interests at any point of time.
7. Rehearse and practice the presentation. This will help the speaker to be more confident and self-
assured. The more the speaker rehearses the better the presentation turns to be.
8. The speaker should encourage more questions from the audience. He should be honest enough
to answer those questions. If the audience puts any biased question forth, rearticulate it before
answering.
9. Summarize the presentation at the end. Give final comments. Leave a positive impact upon the
audience.
10. The speaker must have a presentable appearance while giving a presentation. The speaker
should stand with feet far apart maintaining a good balance. He must use confident gestures. He
must use short and simple words.
11. Try to gain and maintain audience interest by using positive quotes, humor, or remarkable fact.
12. The speaker must be affirmative and optimistic before giving presentation. He should ensure all
tools and equipment to be used in presentation are working well.
13. The speaker must state the objectives of the presentation at beginning of the presentation.

QUALITIES OF A GOOD SPEECH

A speech becomes effective when it fulfills the following features:

1. Clarity
Clarity is an essential feature of a good speech. Speech should be clear and unambiguous
so that the audience can understand it easily. If it is not clear enough to express its
meaning to the audience, it will become ineffective.
2. Definiteness of Message
Message of the speech should be definite and relevant with the subject matter.
3. Conciseness
Audience becomes impatient to long speech. Hence, speech should be as concise as
possible. However, it should not be incomplete.
4. Interesting
Speech should be delivered in an interesting and pleasing way so that the audience is
motivated to pay attention. In order to make the speech interesting, various stories,
examples, quotations and jokes can be cited.
5. Informal Touch
Though speech is a formal address, it should be presented in a personal and informal
way.
6. Considering the Audience
Speech is delivered to a specific audience. Therefore, the speaker should actively
consider the expectations, interest and nature of the audience.
7. Speaking slowly
An ideal speech is one, which is delivered slowly and in usual tone. It helps the audience
to hear and understand the message clearly.
8. Free from Emotions
Another important feature of good speech is that it should be delivered in an unbiased
and un-emotional way. Speaker’s emotion may drive him away from the main theme.
9. Use of Body Language
Good Speech goes with necessary body language. Therefore, at the time of delivering
speech, the speaker should use various nonverbal cues.
10. Ensuring Participation of Audience
A good speech is one, which ensures participation from the audience with the speaker.
That means, the audience will ensure their attention through effective listening,
expressing their solidarity with the speech and so on.
A GOOD SPEAKER
Qualities of the best speakers
1. Stand erect distributing your weight on both the legs. Do not hold onto the mike
or to the podium for support.

2. Have a good posture and appearance. Do not lean on the podium.

3. Be confident, relaxed and energetic. Do not play with your clothes or fingers.

4. Wear clothes that befit the occasion.

5. Convey sincerity, conviction and enthusiasm for the subject.

6. Begin the speech, after pausing for a few seconds, looking over the audience.

7. Open the speech with a striking, catchy introduction looking into the eyes of
the audience.

8. Have a conversational tone.

9. Establish eye contact with the audience.

10. Use gestures to emphasize and clarify your points.

11. Allow your hands, to fall naturally to your sides, when not gesturing.

12. Have enough voice projection.

13. Modulate your voice.

14. Speak at moderate speed. Do not rush through.

15. Pause before and after important ideas.

16. Have pleasant mannerisms.

17. Do not read your speech.

18. Manage time.

19. Close the speech with a striking, impressive, concluding remark.

20. Stop, while the audience is still eager to hear more.

Communication skills

1: Understanding the Basics

It is important to take a systematic approach to communication, given the wide range of channels
that are available, such as emails, marketing materials, presentations, and other written and
spoken forms.

The Communication Process, which covers the basics of using any medium. It explores a six-
step process for organizing and presenting a message, and then learning from the feedback that
you receive in return.
Remember, communication is a two-way process: as well as talking or delivering a message, it is
important to listen to the other person's response. For example, you can learn how to listen
empathically, which demonstrates your attentiveness and understanding of what is being said. It
can also help to listen actively, which involves deferring judgment until you have heard
everything that the other person has to say.
Success in business often depends on your ability to be tactful, developing empathy, and
making the effort to appreciate other people's points of view. The more you arrive at shared
understandings with colleagues and clients, the better you will be able to create high-quality
connections with them. Taken together, these skills can make your workplace happier, more
cohesive, and more productive.

2: Planning Your Communications

The purpose of Communications Planning is to get the right message to the right people, in the
right way. It sounds simple, but many people fail to plan their communications properly. This
can lead to misunderstandings, frustration and missed opportunities.
One effective approach is to use a strategy framework to identify and understand your
audience, and think about how best to reach it. Do not make assumptions. Listen intelligently to
what your audience needs. Ask the right questions in the right way, to get as much information
as possible during the planning phase.
You can also try to engage people's emotions with storytelling. This powerful, persuasive
technique can be used both to inform the audience and to establish some common ground.
Whatever the medium or style that you choose, remember to keep your message simple , and to
avoid using jargon Keep the information that you're presenting tightly organized in self-
contained chunks  that are easy to understand, and let simplicity and clarity be your guide.
3: Communicating Powerfully in Writing

No one wants to waste time decoding badly written emails, rambling reports, or over-
complicated messages. That is why effective writing skills are necessary.
Your written communications compete with many other messages, so you need to grab your
readers' attention and ensure that they get important information as quickly as possible.

Brevity, clarity and use of intelligent subject lines are essential strategies for effective email.
Avoid rambling, using the wrong tone, and other common mistakes. This advice also applies
to instant messaging (IM) , but you must be even more concise with this, because lengthy
blocks of text can be difficult to read and digest on IM.
Longer pieces of writing, such as business reports , also need to be organized clearly and
logically, so that the reader knows exactly where to look for the information that he or she needs,
and isn't put off by a mass of unstructured data.

4: Communicating Effectively Face-to-Face

Face-to-face communication offers the best opportunity to build good

relationships and engage with people personally.
Using small talk can put the other person at ease, but be sure to listen carefully to his responses.
They can teach you a lot about his interests and values, and you can learn what kind of language
to use to build rapport.
It is also worth remembering that you communicate with your appearance and body language
long before you say a word, so it is important to make a good first impression. In fact, when
people are talking about their feelings and emotions, the verbal part of their message may
amount to as little as seven percent of the whole. A skillful communicator learns both to read
and to use body language and visual clues to reinforce his/her message.

5: Running Productive Meetings

A meeting can be a forum for sharing great ideas, making bold decisions, and inspiring one
another. However, in organizations where they are mishandled, people often consider them a
poor use of their time. Effective meetings do not just happen; they require a specific set of
communication skills.

Chances are you have sat through meetings that drifted off topic, did not have a clear objective,
or were dominated by overbearing attendees. That can be tiresome, frustrating and unproductive,
but it does not have to be that way.
There is often a trade-off between paying attention to detail and keeping meetings streamlined.
As a result, not every meeting will run to plan. If your meetings tend to wander off topic, you can
use Dialogue Mapping to "restore order." This involves a facilitator, who records new ideas and
comments on a whiteboard. Having a record of what was said is useful for future meetings. In
addition, when people see their statements written down, they feel that their points have been
heard and do not need to repeat them.
You also have a better chance of enjoying brief, productive meetings if an experienced facilitator
or chairman runs them. He is usually skilled at:
● Designing and planning a meeting.
● Getting people involved with suitable icebreakers.
● Guiding the dynamic of the meeting.
● Recording the key points efficiently.
● Making sure that the participants understand what they need to do after the meeting.

There are a number of pitfalls to avoid with group communication. The foremost danger is that
constructive disagreement may turn into conflict. Learning how to manage conflict will make
you a more confident manager and can ensure that the conflict is resolved positively. You should
also avoid groupthink and cognitive bias.

6: Delivering Great Presentations

Being able to deliver a presentation is a key communication skill for managers, or for anyone
with leadership ambitions. Moreover, even if you consider yourself an experienced "performer"
in front of an audience, you should still look at areas where you can develop your skills further.
The first step is to plan thoroughly. You will find delivering a great presentation much easier
if you have taken the time to create what you are going to say. It is also vital to pick a structure
and style that suits your audience. Think about what visual impact you can make, too.
Before you "take the stage," prepare the room and test any equipment or props that you intend
to use. Nothing will break your concentration and distract from your message more than an
unexpected technical glitch!
If your presentation is well rehearsed, your confidence in public speaking will grow, and you
can think more about your body language. Having a calm demeanor means that people can
focus on your message without being distracted by any nervous movements or gestures.
Familiarize yourself with common presentation mistakes ahead of time, rather than learning
about them through bitter experience. Also, remember that even the slickest presenter
experiences presentation nerves, but learns to overcome them.

MEANING OF INTERVIEW
The word interview comes from Latin and middle French words meaning to “see between” or
“see each other”. Generally, interview means a private meeting between people when questions
are asked and answered. The person who answers the questions of an interview is called an
interviewee. The person who asks the questions of an interview is called an interviewer. It
suggests a meeting between two persons for getting each other’s view or for knowing each other.
When we normally think of an interview, we think of a setting in which an employer tries to size
up an applicant for a job.

According to Thill and Bovee, “An interview is any planned conversation with a specific
purpose involving two or more people”. Therefore, an interview is a formal meeting between two
people (the interviewer and the interviewee) where questions are asked by the interviewer to
obtain information, qualities, attitudes, wishes, etc. from the interviewee. Thus, interview can be
defined as an attempt to secure maximum amount of information from the candidate concerning
his/her suitability for the job under consideration. It tries to achieve an accurate appraisal of the
applicant in terms of his/her educational qualification, training, family background, previous
work experience and judge the applicant’s certain qualities like manners, appearance,
conversational ability, meet other people pleasantly, etc.

PREPARING FOR THE INTERVIEW: STRATEGY AND CONTENT

The most important thing to remember about any interview is that it is a two-way
process. It is as much about you finding out whether you want to work for the company
as them finding out whether they want you. This means it is important to present yourself
as you really are, not pretend to be something you are not.

Preparing For The Interview

Your preparation before the day of the interview needs to be on two main fronts:

Research the Organization

Find out as much as you can about the company.
Look at their website, and any information that they have sent you, and see if you can find their
mission, objectives, any value statements and the like. It is helpful to be familiar with the
organization’s guiding principles. Also, try to find out how the job that you have applied for fits
into the organization.

Make a list of the questions about the organization, ideally around work, such as the
team you will be working with, or the work that you will be doing on a daily basis. It is OK to
ask about the on-site gym and the holiday allowance, but do not sound as if you are only
interested in getting away from work!

It is probably not a great idea to ask whether you will be able to work part-time at this stage.
Either you should already have done that before applying, or you need to be prepared to work the
hours stated.

About you
You need to sit down with the person specification and your application, and develop some new
examples of how you meet at least a few of the requirements. It is fine to talk about the examples
on your application form or CV/covering letter, but it is useful to have a few new ones too.
Describe the situation in one sentence or less, and focus on your actions, the results that you
achieved, and how you knew you were successful.

It is also helpful to prepare answers for some of the standard icebreakers, such as ‘Tell me a bit
about your current job’, or ‘Tell me why you’ve applied for this job’. Your answers should focus
on your skills, and how you can use them in the new job, again based around the person
specification. Do not learn them off by heart, but have a good idea of what you want to say.

Attending the Interview

Some General Dos and Don’ts

Do:

● Arrive in good time. The interview panel may be interviewing many candidates so do not
keep them waiting.
● Dress appropriately. Some organizations, especially technology companies, have a very
casual dress code but, for most, a suit will be appropriate interview wear. Remember that you
are being judged on the appearance that you present.
● Act appropriately, which usually means following the interviewer’s lead. If you are offered a
hand to shake, then shake it, but do not offer your own hand if nobody else seems interested.
● Engage with the interviewers. Smile, make eye contact, and build rapport.
● Answer the questions that are asked, using relevant examples where at all possible.
Don’t:

● Be afraid to blow your own trumpet a bit. After all, nobody else is going to blow it for you;
however do not lie or exaggerate. If you want the job, be enthusiastic and positive.
● Be over-familiar or share too much information. For example, the interviewers do not want to
know how you are going to manage your childcare.

How Many Interviewers?

The letter inviting you to interview will probably state who will be interviewing you. It is often
three to five people, because that removes any individual bias, so do not be surprised to walk in
and find a roomful of people. One will probably take the lead, and explain who will be asking
questions as well as the role of the others.
When you are asked a question, reply to the person who asked the question. The others may
intervene, either during or after your answer, in which case you will also need to reply to the
intervention. Again, reply to that person and not to the group generally.

Types of Questions
Interviewers often like to start with an easy ‘ice-breaker’ question, such as ‘What do you do
in your current job?” or “Tell us why you applied for this job?” If you have done your
preparation, you will be ready for this.

Modern interviews tend to be ‘competence-based’, which means that they focus on your skills,
and how you can demonstrate them.

Therefore, questions will often be in the form of:

● Tell us about the time when you…

● Can you give us an example of a time when you…
● From your previous experience, how would you deal with a situation like …
If you do not have much work experience, do not worry. Be prepared to say, “Well, I haven’t
actually had to do that yet, but this is what I would do in the situation”. If you are being
interviewed for a job where you do not have much experience in the field, the interviewers will
usually try to help by giving you hypothetical questions and asking you how you would approach
a problem. They know you do not have much experience, but they are trying to give you a
chance to show that you can do the job.

The interviewers are not trying to trip you up as a rule so; if you get a question that you do not
understand, just say so and ask them to expand a bit.
There are still interviewers around who believe in the benefits of asking ‘off the wall’ questions
like ‘If you were a car, what type would you be?’ and ‘What are your best and worst traits?’ Just
humor them! Have a fairly bland and generic reply prepared such as ‘Well, I’m not sure what
type of animal/car/bird/whatever I’d be, but I do know that I set myself high standards and am
not happy unless I’m working hard!”

At The End
At the end of the interview, you will probably be asked if you have any questions.

It is usually a good idea to ask a few questions about the organization or role at this point.
However, if you really do not have any questions, perhaps because you spoke to someone from
the organization before the interview and they have answered all your questions, then it is fine to
say so. Do explain that it is because you spoke to [name] and they were able to answer all your
questions ahead of time.

It is also acceptable to ask when the organization will expect to let people know the outcome of
their application.
It may also be worth asking if there is anything that they feel that you did not address as well as
you could have done, or that was not entirely clear. It gives you a second chance if you were a bit
nervous and did not answer as well as you could have done early on.

Remote Interviews

The ‘rules’ for remote interviews are generally very similar to face-to-face interviews. For
example, you should dress appropriately—and that really means from head to toe. You may
think that you can get away with wearing pyjama bottoms, but that will probably make you feel
less professional—and that will come across. It is also more or less guaranteed that you will
forget, and go to shut the door to keep the cat out. You should also ‘arrive’ on time, which in
practice means being ready, checking your technology ahead of time, and connecting to the call a
few minutes early. Obviously, you should also engage with the interviewers.

Finally, do not forget to remove distractions. If you are using a laptop, turn off your phone, and if
you are using your phone for the interview, turn off notifications.

However, there are also some important differences.

First, be alone. The internet is currently full of horror stories about people whose parents or
friends were sitting next to them in remote interviews feeding them answers. It is obvious, even
if you are very slick at muting and unmuting yourself. You will be better able to manage—and
present yourself as you—if you are on your own, and answering for yourself.

Second, choose your space and your background wisely. Your bedroom may be your
only private space—but think about what you may be showing your interviewers. A neutral
space is better if possible.

Finally…
Before you leave, thank the interview panel for the chance to attend the interview and say
that it was nice to meet them. Smile, gain eye contact and shake hands if appropriate.
Always leave a good final impression.

INTERVIEW PREPARATION TIPS: BODY LANGUAGE DURING

INTERVIEW

Body language during interview plays a very important role in making or breaking your career.
The expression “actions speak louder than words” holds very true, especially during job
interviews. The way you present yourself leaves a significant impact on your interviewer.
Everything – right from your outfit to your hairstyle, accessories, and all other things you might
be carrying – are judged! From the moment you enter through the company’s front door,
different people perceive you with different opinions.
Following are some useful tips for you to ensure you have a perfect body language to leave a
good impression.

Eye Contact
Body language during interview should have you make eye contact with the other person. One of
the most vital aspects of your body language during job interview, making and maintaining eye
contact is necessary. It not only shows you are actually paying attention to your interviewer but
also suggests your engagement with the situation.
However, that does not mean you pointlessly keep staring at your interviewer. However, you
may try to hold eye contact for a couple of seconds at a time. If you have to face more than one
interviewer at once, address to the person who asked the question, but be sure to make eye
contact with each one of them.

Sit up straight

Again, sitting up straight in your chair gives an automatic signal of confidence and reliability. It
is recommended not to slouch forward or backward, as such a position suggests you have a very
casual and “not-really-bothered” attitude.
If you are unable to sit straight, try pulling up yourself from the head. Push down on your
shoulders and maintain a steady balance of your upper body while sitting should be your body
language during interview. 
Carry the upright straight posture from the moment you arrive in the reception area. When you
are asked a question, lean forward a bit to show your curiosity and engagement.

Hand gestures

Job interview body language suggests making use of your hands by way of subtle gestures. Hand
movements like touching your fingertips, clasping palms, and moving your fingers as you speak
– are signs of honesty and openness. You can also try resting your hands in your lap at a time.
Clenching fists and waving hands while speaking opines you are nervous and unpredictable.
Biting your nails during the interview is a strict no-no, as it will make you seem nervous and
distracting at the same time.

Avoid touching your face

Candidates who touch their face frequently are considered dishonest and untrustworthy.
Touching the face in the form of playing with one’s hair or rubbing nose is not considered as a
good body language technique.
Similarly, rubbing your head or neck makes the other person think of you being bored or not
interested. Crossed arms and legs make you look unapproachable and defensive. Instead, keep
your shoulders relaxed and facing the interviewer to show your involvement in the interview.
 
Smile!                                                                                                                                                 
Wherever and whenever appropriate, improve body language during interview and do smile so
that there is positivity in and around the interview room. Smiling once at a time also shows you
are comfortable with the flow of the interview. Maintain a balanced smile – neither too timid to
seem timid or too exaggerating to seem ridiculous.
It is explicitly understood that you should listen attentively and try not to interrupt the
interviewer. If possible, laugh when the interviewer does while saying something catchy or
offbeat. That would mean you are all ears and attentive to what is being said.
Stay at one spot

Precisely, from your fingertip movements to your legs, try to keep yourself at one spot.
Otherwise, if you keep fidgeting, it maybe comprehended, as you are getting bored or impatient
with the interview process. This way you will not only have your posture straight but your focus
would be on the interviewer and not elsewhere. It will help you seem more focus and interested
in the session.

Mirror image

Last but not the least, be the mirror image of your interviewer. It is one of the best job interview
body language tips to do as the other person does. Well, but that does not mean you purposely
imitate your HR manager and have the entire process backfired.
Match with their positive body language to quickly get in the good books of the interviewer.
However, do so carefully so that you are not too bold or showy that you are trying to “copy”
them. Nod if they nod, or subtly shift posture as they do to share a common body language.
The most important thing is to be respectful and professional personal attitude towards the
interviewer. Right from the initial hello handshake to the graceful goodbye, show dignity
towards the other person to earn brownie points.
Quick pointers:
● Sit straight and tight in your chair
● Have and maintain passive eye contact
● Occasionally use hand gestures to express yourself
● Improvise on your posture – no slouching
● Nod your head as you’re listening

Follow above simple yet effective job interview tips to have that perfect job you have always
dreamt of!