After the dance is done and you’ve asked for what you want, you can put everything it took to get you there—newfound confidence, negotiating skill, and a fierce wardrobe—to good use...right after you hear those magical life-changing words: You’re hired!
Tackle your tics
Everyone knows about interview body language: Lean slightly forward to look interested; don’t cross your arms or you’ll look defensive. But what about the quirks you have less control over? Are you a hummer? A tapper? A leg shaker? Here, nervous habits and measures to combat them from a duo
of pros: Diane Gottsman, a corporate etiquette expert, and Katy Piotrowski, founder of JobWorks.
The Rambler: If a pause in conversation makes you pounce, put the brakes on your babbling by asking, “Are there any questions that I can answer for you?” or “Would you tell me about your expectations for this position?” Keep your comments under two minutes.
The Fidgeter: You twirl a pen while thinking. Make sure you have nothing in your hands, and cross one foot behind the other.
The Interrupter: You finish other people’s sentences or cut others off. Consciously take a deep breath as each question is asked. Curb your enthusiasm by allowing a few seconds of quiet time before answering: Your interviewer will finish her sentence, and you
can gather your thoughts before speaking.
The Hand Talker: You look like you’re putting on a puppet show when you speak. Do a run-through with a friend. If your hands are often up in the air, steady them on your legs.
The Um-er: This filler word marks every sentence. Go for silence instead. A pause shows that you’re thoughtful. But don’t beat yourself up for throwing in a few “ums”—most of us do it.
By Michelle Roberts
(Part 1) | Part 2
