Body language and employment: check out these tips

Human beings can communicate in different ways in any situation. One of the most efficient forms of communication, after good oral communication, is body communication, which can even be used in the corporate environment.

When used well, body language can increase the chances of success. On the other hand, a weak handshake, inappropriate facial expressions, or lack of eye contact can make you lose points both in a job interview and in relation to your manager at the company.

With that in mind, we’ve brought you a list of tricks and tips to help you make the most of body language in the corporate environment, and if you do well, whatever your goal.

But before we move on to the tips, let’s understand a little bit about what body language means.

Body language concept

In summary, body language is related to non-verbal communication. That is, it manifests itself from our posture, gestures, facial expression, and even in the look.

Through non-verbal communication, we can identify the real meaning of a message. Or even, convey it in the best way so that we can communicate what we really want.

It may even be that you don’t consciously realize that when communicating, your body is expressing exactly what you want to express. But, does your speech match what your body says?

And this is exactly the danger when we talk about the corporate environment. We don’t always say what we feel, and our body can express that, harming your performance in a job interview, for example.

That way, we separate some important tips for you to become aware of. These details can make all the difference in your work environment, or if you are having difficulties repositioning yourself in the market.

Have you ever stopped to think that this delay in reaching your goals could be the result of bad posture? Or a failure of non-verbal communication?

So, check out the body language tricks we’ve separated for you below.

Body language and employment tips

Now that you know what body language is, check out the tips we’ve separated for you. Grab a pen and paper and write down everything you think is important for your progress. We want to help you achieve more and more of your goals.

Good reading!

1. Body language: handshake

It all starts with a handshake, whether in a job interview or in a meeting, as soon as you arrive in your manager’s office for a performance appraisal, for example.

The handshake can even influence how you will negotiate a contract with a customer or make a new sale. Through the handshake you can convey confidence and security to the interlocutor, or the exact opposite, such as insecurity and nervousness.

In other words, touch through a firm handshake is a positive way not only to start a conversation, but also to end it. In the same way, a weak and timid handshake can, right away, take away some points and give a negative first impression about your professional image.

Therefore, your handshake should be firm – but not so strong that it hurts the other person. Also, consider how long the handshake lasts. This should last just long enough for the fulfillment. Do not, under any circumstances, try to prolong this moment, as this could cause embarrassment.

Also, avoid greeting over a table as much as possible. Approach the interviewer, in case of a job interview, and shake the interlocutor’s hand.

2. Look

If your manager or your interviewer is talking to you, look at him. This attitude is a way of showing that you are interested in what the interlocutor is talking about. If you don’t have this habit, start testing it in your work environment, or with any of your interpersonal relationships and see the change happen.

Looking away while the other talks can be interpreted in a negative way, as disinterest, fear or insecurity. This posture, especially in front of an interviewer, can harm your performance.

Likewise, be careful not to give people a defiant, aggressive, or snooty look, causing a bad impression.

Also avoid staring without blinking at your interlocutor, this can also give a bad impression and cause some discomfort. The idea is to make everything as natural and welcoming as possible.

So make eye contact at the right times, especially while you’re listening to a question or when you’re answering. If your interviewer is explaining about the company or how the selection process will be, for example, avoid lowering your head or looking away.

3. Body language: smile

In addition to showing sympathy and empathy, smiling is one of the most beautiful forms of non-verbal communication. That is, the smile is a positive form of body expression.

In this way, try to smile naturally, whether to serve customers, start a conversation with your manager or when entering a room where the most important job interview of your life will take place.

After all, when you enter the room, the first message you pass is on your face. So smile when greeting the team. This will demonstrate security and friendliness. In addition, the smile can help create an immediate interpersonal bond with the interlocutor.

Of course, sometimes nervousness helps you forget these details. To help you, train in front of the mirror. Your smile should be spontaneous, never fawning, ironic, or forced.

Try this every day, try it out naturally with people on the street when you say hello, or with your co-workers, and you’ll notice how much better you’ll feel, and even more excited to overcome the challenges at work, getting even more confident in front of the interviewer in case of an interview.

The test is also valid with a friend. Ask him to notice if you are giving a positive or negative body expression.

4. Posture

The way you sit, walk, stand up, as well as the position in which you hold your back and chest can make a big difference in how the interlocutor sees you.

For example, if in a conversation you want to convey a positive and optimistic message, but you are sitting with your shoulders slumped and your spine crooked, the words will certainly not have any effect, and you will not attract the attention of your interlocutor.

However, if you use the same speech, but with a straight spine, chest out and head high, you will certainly convey a much more confident and positive image, managing to adequately convey what you want.

Also, another negative image is clinging to the arms of the chair or using the backpack/purse as a shield. These attitudes show your defense and how nervous or anxious you are in the face of that situation.

So, especially in front of an interviewer, keep your spine straight. Or, lean slightly toward the speaker to show interest, humility, attention, willingness, and openness to the message the speaker is giving.

5. Hands, arms, legs and head

During a conversation or a presentation it is important to pay attention to your hands, arms, legs and head. For example, keeping your arms crossed while listening to an explanation from your manager can make a bad impression. In addition to denoting insecurity, impatience or defense. Crossing your arms in front of your interlocutor can give the impression of a shield, and that’s not what you want in a conversation.

The ideal is to keep your arms uncrossed and your hands on the table to demonstrate openness and reception towards your interlocutor.

You can and should gesture while speaking and expressing yourself. However, take due care so that the gestures do not steal attention from your speech, that is, do not exaggerate. Everything should look very natural.

The same goes for anxious and restless people who have the habit of moving their legs or moving the pen while listening, this shows nervousness and can lose points because of this attitude.

Therefore, avoid gesticulating in an exaggerated way, or sitting too comfortably in the chair. Also avoid stretching, or rubbing your hands.

Finally, it is also worth making discreet nods, showing interest and facilitating the connection with the interviewer, manager or co-worker. The same goes for the position of the head, avoid having your head down, giving an impression of discouragement.

6. Body language: facial expression

Our face expresses feelings and emotions that we are often not even aware of. Are you the type that tends to make all kinds of faces when you say or hear something unpleasant? If the answer is yes, then you need to pay attention to your facial expressions, especially in front of an interviewer.

Of course, we won’t always agree with everything the other tells us. However, you must respect and convey a professional image to your interlocutor. In this way, the ideal is to maintain a neutral and reliable facial expression so as not to risk losing points in a job interview, for example.

7. Habits that show nervousness

Some body expression habits are universal and demonstrate nervousness. Like, for example, biting your nails, fiddling with your cell phone, biting the end of a pen, playing with props, or tapping your feet on the floor.

I know that in many moments nervousness and anxiety take over. However, it is necessary to know how to control these small attitudes that can give a bad impression to the interlocutor. Therefore, avoid habits that show nervousness as much as possible.

If you can’t keep your hands on the table, keep them in your lap or at your sides, resting on the arm of the chair.

8. The way you leave the room

Are you at a job interview, when it’s over do you walk out the door in a hurry and relieved that it’s over? If yes, then this tip is especially for you.

To avoid the impression that you are “running away” from the place, calmly get up, shake hands firmly and say goodbye and thank them for the opportunity. Or if you’re talking to a leader, thank them for the announcement anyway, and confidently leave the room.

Finally, if the door is closed you have two options: ask if you should close it when you leave or if you should keep it open. End the meeting with a friendly smile and eye contact. By ending an interview or conversation in this way, you convey an impression of friendliness and security to the person left in the room.