Posture during interview

[dabumba]

Hey folks. HELP.
Especiallly those who are accepted to the program.

Here is the question, during the interview:

- What is the proper posture of your hands? On the conference table? Under the conference table? On your lap?

Thanks. 😕

 

[nerdystar]

Whatever feels comfortable for you. I think it's just best for you not to look awkward.

 

[BiOGoly]

Didn't you take public speaking? Over half of your communication during the interview comes in the form of body language, your hands should be gesticulating like an Italian after his morning cappuccino. If you watch a presentation without gesticulation (hands on your lap) and then the same presentation again with gesticulation, the difference is remarkable. However, it's much more important that you be relaxed and confident...body language isn't going to help you much if you're flubbing the interview questions.

 

[KUMoose]

How do you talk to your friends? That's how you should hold your hands.

I guess the easiest thing is to simply focus on the answers, sit up straight and look the interviewers in the eyes. Let your facial expression and hand placement/motion take care of itself.

 

[bananaface]

There isn't any one right answer. You definitely should avoid sitting with your arms crossed, slouching, or putting hands in pockets.

Sometimes I speak with my hands. But, if it happens too much it can be distracting. For simple questions, I'd be most likely to have my hands folded in my lap. I had to go to a Catholic elementary school, so it's second nature. Everyone is different, though.

 

[n0estoy]

whatever you do, don't fold your arms or appear closed off in any way.

 

[RoyalBean]

I didn't even think of posture before or during my interview, and afterwards, I realized I was reclining as far back as the chair would go, and once in a while rocking back and forth a bit, since I was sitting in an office type chair. Maybe they thought I was relaxed, but I was really just nervous.

 

[freshbeatschris]

Whatever you do, avoid looking like a politician during a speech. Those guys tick off musical meters with their hands and look as though they have practiced which specific word each downstroke of their hands fall on.

Avoid picking nose or butt during the interview. 😉

Seriously, don't waste any energy worrying about what your hands are doing. Just be yourself and think about what they are asking you and answer them sincerely.

...at least that's what I'm gonna try and do.

Chris

 

[Genuine]

I didn't even think of posture before or during my interview, and afterwards, I realized I was reclining as far back as the chair would go, and once in a while rocking back and forth a bit, since I was sitting in an office type chair. Maybe they thought I was relaxed, but I was really just nervous.

 

[ultracet]

do not play with your rings or pick at your fingers

the one beneficial thing i've seen about having a notebook is it gives people something to hold on to while interviewing and thus their hands are not free to fidget

 

[Smilescali]

There isn't any one right answer. You definitely should avoid sitting with your arms crossed, slouching, or putting hands in pockets.

Sometimes I speak with my hands. But, if it happens too much it can be distracting. For simple questions, I'd be most likely to have my hands folded in my lap. I had to go to a Catholic elementary school, so it's second nature. Everyone is different, though.

Thats funny because my husband told me to fold my hands as well because I tend to speak with my hands. During my interview I was thinking to myself...keep hands still, keep hands still..... finally I just had to give in while I was discussing an episode of how I handled a disgruntled passenger right after I spilled a bottle of red wine on him in first class (while I was a flight attendant)!

 

[twester]

having a notebook . . . gives people something to hold on to while interviewing and thus their hands are not free to fidget

But it also would have given me something with which to whack the obnoxious interviewer. My chances at that school are already slim enough.

 

[bananaface]

Thats funny because my husband told me to fold my hands as well because I tend to speak with my hands. During my interview I was thinking to myself...keep hands still, keep hands still..... finally I just had to give in while I was discussing an episode of how I handled a disgruntled passenger right after I spilled a bottle of red wine on him in first class (while I was a flight attendant)!

That sort of thing makes an impression on them, in a good way. It's not the same as someone who can't answer a question without looking like a windmill.

 

[bananaface]

But it also would have given me something with which to whack the obnoxious interviewer. My chances at that school are already slim enough.

Oooh! That sounds dangerous!