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After weeks of uncertainty and waiting, Alice was finally invited for a job interview. She read and researched all there was to know about the job and the company practiced her interview questions and answers. Although the role she interviewed for was a highly competitive role, she went prepared. She didn’t stumble on her words and answered the questions thrown at her correctly. But what she didn’t know was that the interviewer had this to say on her performance report sheet.

“Alice has the paper qualifications for the role, but she left an impression that she does not have an open personality and may have a hard time relating with clients and vice versa considering this is a customer service role.”

The above is an illustration of how a jobseeker lost a job opportunity because of a negative body movement she probably didn’t even know she was displaying.

Your body language can knowingly or unknowingly affect your chances of getting hired. Considering there are tons of qualified candidates vying for the same job you are, it behooves you to leave no stone unturned as you step into that interview room.

Here are body language mistakes you may be making and should avoid next time you attend an interview.

Keeping an expressionless face – Don’t get the recruiter feeling uncomfortable with your aura as this may give them the impression that you may not be a trustworthy person. Let a little enthusiasm and excitement/passion be seen in you.

Shifting or slouching in your seat – Even if you can’t wait to finish the interview and skip over to the part where you know your fate. Do not give the interviewer the impression that you are bored or tired even if he goes on and on with several lines of questioning.

Avoiding eye contact -This can make the interviewer think you are dishonest or nervous. Appropriate eye contact speaks of confidence and self-esteem.

Biting your lips – When you bite your lips while talking to an interviewer, it shows you are anxious or nervous.

Scratching your head – If you do this anytime the interviewer asks you a question, he/she will take it that you are confused and don’t know what you are doing.

Flaring nostrils – This will only make the interviewer think you are angry and frustrated with the whole process.

Folding your arms – Don’t do this in an interview, if you do not want to be perceived as being angry, defensive and negative

Raising eyebrows – This will make the interviewer think you are unimpressed, surprised or unprepared

Tapping feet – This will pass the message that you are impatient, bored, anxious or nervous

Good luck on your next interview. As you tell the interviewer how much of an asset you will be to them, do not let your body tell them something else.