Master your body language for successful Canadian job interviews through this informative blog. Learn about the various tips to overcome job interviews in Canada through body language perfection. Before uncovering the multiple tips, let us delve deeper into understanding the nuances of body language.
Newcomers often arrive in this country to seek employment opportunities, and therefore, they need to stand apart from the crowd in job interviews. Every new immigrant must prepare well before participating in any interviews. Most importantly, candidates must understand the critical factors contributing to their selection or rejection for a Canadian job interview.
While several immigrants might feel an interview is all about accomplishments and communication skills, that is untrue. The truth is employers also focus on a candidate’s non-verbal communication. This type of communication is a part of soft skills under which the body language factor comes into effect.
Master your body language for successful Canadian job interviews
A Canadian employer will primarily observe the way you sit and your facial and body expressions, even when you’re quiet for moments. Non-verbal communication or body language tells way more about an individual’s personality, mood, and caliber than verbal skills.
Moreover, an employer tends to determine your level of honesty, commitment, and potential through how you conduct yourself. Let’s say if your shoulders are bent, it signifies a lower confidence level, while sitting up straight is a better posture, indicating high confidence. In addition, having eye contact is highly essential for individuals.
Good body language is something that indicates the job seeker’s optimistic attitude. Your body language shouldn’t make you appear over or under confident, dishonest, or nervous. Instead, it must make you emerge as a stronger person who is interested in the job role and is active.
Best body language tips to get success in job interviews in Canada
Giving job interviews in a foreign country can be quite a challenging task and might make you nervous, anxious, or underconfident. However, it is normal to feel such things, and there are several tips to help you appear confident and relaxed. Mastering your body language can help you achieve your dream job.
Begin your interview smartly
If you’re going for an in-person interview, you must understand that the moment you enter the interview premises, you are under scrutiny. Hence, you must greet the receptionist properly with a smile and remain active hereafter. Even though your interview might begin after some time, try not to look engaged with your phone. Also, avoid staring at your watch every few seconds to prevent passing on a wrong message.
In addition, check your walking style, the way you shake hands with people, and the way you sit. You must make eye contact with those you encounter, shake hands firmly, and walk without looking down. Keep your shoulders straight, too, while you arrive in the room.
Eye contact is crucial
Making eye contact can be tricky in an interview because you need to do it the right way. It shouldn’t appear as though you’re staring at the person, making him or her uncomfortable. On the other hand, it is crucial to maintain eye contact throughout the discussion. Looking at them humbly and making eye contact will suggest that you’re curious about the interview. Also, it will portray your confidence and honesty.
Wear suitable clothes and prepare in advance
From the preparation point of view, the best thing to do is to plan your clothes in advance for your interview. This way, you will have enough time to check what is going to work for you and what is not. You can’t dress casually for an interview, but you must also ensure that you don’t end up feeling uncomfortable during the process. Touching your hair, face, accessories, or clothes repeatedly will distract your interviewer and end up sending the wrong message about your confidence level. Your footwear must look neat, and your clothes must be well-ironed.
Let them feel that you’re paying attention to what they’re saying
Giving the interviewer the impression that you are listening is way too essential. So, how can you non-verbally express interest in what others are saying? Try to lean forward, but don’t overdo it. Time and again, nod or tilt your head from one side to the other to show your interest.
Be careful with your hand gestures
Placing your arms casually by your side or simply on your lap is enough to show interest in the conversation. However, what you must avoid completely is sitting with your arms crossed, as it indicates dishonesty and also a lack of interest. Some of the candidates might feel nervous, and they can avoid showing it by interlocking their fingers or placing their hands on each other. Ensure that your hand movements aren’t too loud, as it will appear indecent.
Body language tips for a virtual interview
Virtual interviews are not unusual and often appear to be easier than physical interviews. You will not have to travel to another place, and there’s no stress to reach somewhere early. In addition, you won’t be fully visible on screen during the process. However, the downside is that it will allow more misconceptions to creep into an interviewer’s mind. Here are a few body language tips to avoid misinterpretations in an interview:
- Appear confident with the right posture by adjusting the chair’s height as well as the camera’s position. Doing so will make more comfortable and elevate your confidence.
- Limit your hand gestures but don’t completely do away with them. Ensure that the interviewer can see you without any obstructions. Make all the adjustments prior to the interview and don’t keep adjusting while the interview is going on. This can be a big turn-off for the person and they might lose interest in the conversation.
- Greet with a smile and nod whenever essential as the person will observe your facial expressions throughout the interview.
- Avoid opening any other notes or window for anything while the interview takes place. Ensure the interviewer’s video is just below the camera so that you can make proper eye contact with them.
Understanding the interviewer
While you prepare yourself with these tips to face your job interviews in Canada and establish a career, you must also notice the interviewer’s body language. This will eventually speak about their response to the ongoing interview. If they raise their eyebrows, think back to what made them do so. Typically, it could be a positive signal for you. However, it could also be a sign of something that has shocked them. Therefore, you must understand the signs with the context. If they cross their arms or keep on moving their body or face, this may show a lack of curiosity. Additionally, if they avoid making eye contact with you, they are probably not interested. Therefore, you must catch up by asking a question or two about their company to ignite their interest.
Contrarily, interviewers might purposely test you by showing such signs, thereby making you nervous. So, don’t get bogged down with these non-verbal signs; instead, give your best. You must remember that such things require consistent practice, and before you step in, you must be well-prepared. Do it with someone familiar, like your friend or family member, so that you don’t feel overwhelmed. With the above information, you will be able to master your body language for successful Canadian job interviews.
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