how does one sit in the interview?

[hopeful_MD]

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i mean to not look like a total *****!!

1. sit back against chair back
2. sit up away form back listening intently
3. cross legs (for men)
4. fold arms
5. hang arms
6. cross hands

well you get the idea!

i have never been to even a job interview.....what is the correct posture?

 

[BucsFan813]

i mean to not look like a total *****!!

1. sit back against chair back
2. sit up away form back listening intently
3. cross legs (for men)
4. fold arms
5. hang arms
6. cross hands

well you get the idea!

i have never been to even a job interview.....what is the correct posture?

I think this is where non-traditional students have an advantage...You should also search the internet for general interview techniques/etiquette.

1. Start out with back against the chair and keep your derriere in the back of the seat.
2. A slight lean is good when listening.
3. Don't ever cross legs (men or women)
4. Don't fold arms (means you're "closed off" to communication)
5. If the chair has arms, it's good to start with your arms there. You can alternate arms on the chair with the steepled hand technique

 

[hopeful_MD]

I think this is where non-traditional students have an advantage...You should also search the internet for general interview techniques/etiquette.

1. Start out with back against the chair and keep your derriere in the back of the seat.
2. A slight lean is good when listening.
3. Don't ever cross legs (men or women)
4. Don't fold arms (means you're "closed off" to communication)
5. If the chair has arms, it's good to start with your arms there. You can alternate arms on the chair with the steepled hand technique

wow! thanks for the advice.....i start searching now!

ps. i hope you mean buckeyes (college) and not buccaneers (pro)!!

 

[Law2Doc]

I think this is where non-traditional students have an advantage...You should also search the internet for general interview techniques/etiquette.

1. Start out with back against the chair and keep your derriere in the back of the seat.
2. A slight lean is good when listening.
3. Don't ever cross legs (men or women)
4. Don't fold arms (means you're "closed off" to communication)
5. If the chair has arms, it's good to start with your arms there. You can alternate arms on the chair with the steepled hand technique

You can cross legs, actually.

The key is to be comfortable, not look posed, not look too casual. Don't fidget. Don't cover your mouth with your hands. Keep eye contact. Once you have done this enough it all comes natural. But if you have access to videotape, a mock interview will let you see what things you do that look awkward.

 

[jojocola]

Don't cover your mouth with your hands.

I do this. haha. damn. I need to stop.

 

[musiclink213]

If you are a female wearing a skirt, you might want to close your legs so you don't get some indecent exposure. Personally, I crossed my legs at hte ankles, but my interviewer was across the table from me, so my legs were under the table anyway. But don't slouch! Bad posture doesn't look good in an interview. And make sure you stand straight when you go into the room, a good first impression never hurts.

As my skating coach says the key to good posture: stomach in, tushy in, bosom out because it's all got to go somewhere.

 

[Shejeboshease]

I do this. haha. damn. I need to stop.

is it ok to have cuffs in my suit pants? i hear its more common not to have them.

 

[Law2Doc]

is it ok to have cuffs in my suit pants? i hear its more common not to have them.

Both are fine.

 

[psipsina]

If you are a female wearing a skirt, you might want to close your legs so you don't get some indecent exposure. Personally, I crossed my legs at hte ankles, but my interviewer was across the table from me, so my legs were under the table anyway. But don't slouch! Bad posture doesn't look good in an interview. And make sure you stand straight when you go into the room, a good first impression never hurts.

As my skating coach says the key to good posture: stomach in, tushy in, bosom out because it's all got to go somewhere.

Yeah if you're a chick in a skirt totally cross your ankles and not your legs, otherwise you may be showin a whole lotta thigh! 😱

 

[Knickerbocker]

But if you have access to videotape, a mock interview will let you see what things you do that look awkward.

That's a good idea - most schools offer mock interviews for their students. I was forced to do one for a class, but it was my easiest interview ever because there was no job at stake.

You know what else might work? Try applying for real jobs and go to real interviews. You don't have to take the jobs if you get them (though you should try one if you've never worked in your life).

 

[alwaysaangel]

Yeah if you're a chick in a skirt totally cross your ankles and not your legs, otherwise you may be showin a whole lotta thigh! 😱

Yeah this is why I got a skirt that hits the bottom of my knee cap when sitting - I can still cross my legs at interviews and not worry about flashing my interviewer.

 

[MasterMD]

Yeah this is why I got a skirt that hits the bottom of my knee cap when sitting - I can still cross my legs at interviews and not worry about flashing my interviewer.

it's actually considered proper etiquette to always cross at the ankles if you are wearing a skirt... and anyway crossing at the legs is bad for circulation! 😉

 

[defrunner]

Yeah this is why I got a skirt that hits the bottom of my knee cap when sitting - I can still cross my legs at interviews and not worry about flashing my interviewer.

With your stats, you should be just fine.

I'm sure some people might 'accidentally' flash their interviewer though -- if they're guys, that is... 'oops!'

 

[Law2Doc]

With your stats, you should be just fine.

I'm sure some people might 'accidentally' flash their interviewer though -- if they're guys, that is... 'oops!'

I suspect the Basic Insinct maneuver has gotten more than one person into med school over the years.🙂

 

[alwaysaangel]

it's actually considered proper etiquette to always cross at the ankles if you are wearing a skirt... and anyway crossing at the legs is bad for circulation! 😉

Eh as long as I'm not flashing them I doubt they care where I cross my legs.

And I've been doing it for so long I doubt its a habit I'm ever going to break. Kind of like my heels - I've been wearing 2-3" heels for so long I almost can't wear flats anymore - so bad for the achilles tendons but I'm too lazy to change it😳

 

[45408]

I suspect the Basic Insinct maneuver has gotten more than one person into med school over the years.🙂

I came into this thread to make a Sharon Stone comment. I commend you for having such good (dirty) thoughts.

 

[thegymbum]

Don't cross your legs? Even girls? I'm never gonna remember that one 😉

Err, question. I talk with my hands a lot. Even more so when I'm excited or nervous. I'm working on limiting that, heh. Would it really "doom me" to use a moderate amount of hand gestures...? I'd sit on my hands but then they'd really think I was nuts 🙄

 

[spospo]

Don't cross your legs? Even girls? I'm never gonna remember that one 😉

Err, question. I talk with my hands a lot. Even more so when I'm excited or nervous. I'm working on limiting that, heh. Would it really "doom me" to use a moderate amount of hand gestures...? I'd sit on my hands but then they'd really think I was nuts 🙄

good question. i really don't know the answer, but in my speech class, my prof always emphasized hand gestures because they are natural. i've seen videos and know i look silly if i am keeping my hands at my sides. no, you probably don't want fist pumps or super strong hand motions, but i would think you would at least want some movement. anyone else with advice? i know i won't be able to keep mine still. i think motions are better than fidgetting with rings or something

 

[Avalanche21]

Don't cross your legs? Even girls? I'm never gonna remember that one 😉

Err, question. I talk with my hands a lot. Even more so when I'm excited or nervous. I'm working on limiting that, heh. Would it really "doom me" to use a moderate amount of hand gestures...? I'd sit on my hands but then they'd really think I was nuts 🙄

I think you should limit talking with your hands, the reason being that when people talk to me and wave their hands around non stop, I'm thinking more about how much I want to smack them than listening to what they're saying. Hand gestures are good as long as they're not overused.

 

[alwaysaangel]

Err, question. I talk with my hands a lot. Even more so when I'm excited or nervous. I'm working on limiting that, heh. Would it really "doom me" to use a moderate amount of hand gestures...? I'd sit on my hands but then they'd really think I was nuts 🙄

I do too - but I think as long as it logically follows what you're saying and isn't distracting from what you're saying you'll be fine. I did a mock with my pre-med counselor and she said it was fine.

If you're really worried I suggest you set up some sort of mock interview - either officially through your school or with a friend. If you can borrow a videocamera and videotape yourself then you can see for yourself if its distracting.

 

[Avalanche21]

I do too - but I think as long as it logically follows what you're saying and isn't distracting from what you're saying you'll be fine. I did a mock with my pre-med counselor and she said it was fine.

If you're really worried I suggest you set up some sort of mock interview - either officially through your school or with a friend. If you can borrow a videocamera and videotape yourself then you can see for yourself if its distracting.

I think using hand gestures is like highlighting. You use hand gestures to emphasize what you're saying. I love it when I look into someone's book and they've highlighted 95% of the page. They fail to realize that they've just defeated the purpose of highlighting. Likewise with hand gestures, you have to use your hands at appropriate times. Moving your hands around all the time just annoys and it is distracting.

It's similar to when people who are talking say "um" every five seconds. Eventually people stop listening to what you're actually saying. Instead they start counting how many times you say "um."

 

[Haemulon]

At my first interview questions started to be asked as I was sitting down, so I never had a chance to really position myself. Just went into a more aggressive question answering posture I think with my portfoilio opened in front of me and my hand on the desk (at different times). I occassionally sat back into a more relaxed posture, particularly at the end when it was my turn to ask questions. But having to think so quickly in response to questions I didn't really take much time to monitor my body positioning. Its something that I will be more mindfull of next time. I do not think it is a huge deal though as long as one does not slouch, curl up in an introverted posture, fidget, or look nervous.

 

[Orthodoc40]

Make sure you fidget and also twirl your hair mindlessly. 😉

 

[peterpansy]

Eh as long as I'm not flashing them I doubt they care where I cross my legs.

And I've been doing it for so long I doubt its a habit I'm ever going to break. Kind of like my heels - I've been wearing 2-3" heels for so long I almost can't wear flats anymore - so bad for the achilles tendons but I'm too lazy to change it😳

Actually, every etiquette (sp?) workshop I've been to instructs women to only cross their legs at the ankles when wearing a skirt or not at all. I'm more comfortable crossing my legs one over the other, too, but it looks unprofessional. That said, some people won't notice or won't care, but with people on this forum worrying about things as miniscule as the proper color and width of stripe for their tie, or the amount of product to put in their hair, I'd say posture should be on the list of things to consider.

Edit: Also, heels shouldn't be taller than an inch or inch and a half.

 

[LarissaC]

the easy thing that i've been told to do is mirror the interviewer's body language (provided they are sitting like a normal person)

 

[alwaysaangel]

Actually, every etiquette (sp?) workshop I've been to instructs women to only cross their legs at the ankles when wearing a skirt or not at all. I'm more comfortable crossing my legs one over the other, too, but it looks unprofessional.

Eh, the interview I've been to so far I've been at a table anyway - so unless they're filming underneath to tell how I am crossing my legs; I think by the grace of God, I'm gonna be ok 😉

That said, some people won't notice or won't care, but with people on this forum worrying about things as miniscule as the proper color and width of stripe for their tie, or the amount of product to put in their hair, I'd say posture should be on the list of things to consider.

Haha fair enough, but tell them - because I am definitely not one of thos people.

Edit: Also, heels shouldn't be taller than an inch or inch and a half.

I disagree - I think it should be what you're comfortable in. Anything an inch or less makes me feel childish (not saying it looks childish, but I've been wearing heels so long it makes me feel that way). I am quite comfortable walking in 2" and thats what I wear. With that said - there is a line where it looks like you're wearing stripper shoes, but that is far after 3".

 

[JonnyG]

I think one thing not pointed out here is DO NOT have a pen in your hands. You will not need it for the interview. Have one in your pocket just in case. The pen can easily be played with subconsciously and serve as a distraction for the interview. More irritating then talking with the hands.

You really only need to bring yourself to these interviews. You should know what is onyour resume and in your file well enough to talk about that so you do not need to bring them. If the interviewer doesnt have your resume, they probably aren't suppose to (closed file interview). Never write anything down while they are talking to you. Its rude. You can remember something for 20 minutes till you get out of there. About all you need to write down is their email address for a thank you note.

The one good ting my undergrad taught me was how to interview and then applied it to when i interviewed people at my old job. Its all decided in the first five minutes.....................I kid you not.

 

[Haemulon]

I think one thing not pointed out here is DO NOT have a pen in your hands. You will not need it for the interview. Have one in your pocket just in case. The pen can easily be played with subconsciously and serve as a distraction for the interview. More irritating then talking with the hands.

You really only need to bring yourself to these interviews. You should know what is onyour resume and in your file well enough to talk about that so you do not need to bring them. If the interviewer doesnt have your resume, they probably aren't suppose to (closed file interview). Never write anything down while they are talking to you. Its rude. You can remember something for 20 minutes till you get out of there. About all you need to write down is their email address for a thank you note.

The one good ting my undergrad taught me was how to interview and then applied it to when i interviewed people at my old job. Its all decided in the first five minutes.....................I kid you not.

Agreed. I brought my leather portfolio and notepad and had it ready, but found that the only thing I needed to write down was their names at the end of the session.

 

[steppwolf]

what is the correct posture?

If you want to make a lasting impression, sit on top of the table in the lotus position.

 

[hopeful_MD]

If you want to make a lasting impression, sit on top of the table in the lotus position.

would the horse also be acceptable?

 

[ChymeChancellor]

would the horse also be acceptable?

In a word.... yes... 😴

 

[mintendo]

sit like a budda

 

[hopeful_MD]

In a word.... yes... 😴

awesome.......hey why do you use the sleepy head (wink, wink)!