Under the scrutiny of a prospective employer, most of us can get pretty nervous. We try not to fidget or squirm, all the while attempting to make polite conversation and maintain a controlled expression. But what should you do with your hands?
You've heard the expression, "Sit on your hands," aimed at those who fidget with their fingers or flail their arms in the air to make a point. You don't want to literally straddle your hands, but you need to find some constructive use for them. Try the following tips:
1. Take something with you to hold. For a job interview, you may want to carry a folder with your vita inside. Or you can bring along your job application that was mailed to you earlier. Another possibility is to download company information from their Web site, look it over beforehand, and take it with you for the interview. Holding a folder in your lap provides a job for your hands so they won't be unoccupied and get into trouble. Let each hand hold either side of the folder squarely in your lap. If the employer makes reference to materials in the folder, open it with the left hand and sort through materials with the right.
2. Park your arms on the chair's armrests. This won't work if you are seated in a chair without arms or on a sofa, but many office chairs have trim or plump arms that will support yours. Set down your briefcase or purse beside the chair, sit back squarely to face your interviewer, and rest both arms on the chair's sides. Let your fingers hand lax or let them gently clutch the ends of the chair's arms in a relaxed manner.
3. Fold your hands in your lap. This can be done in a number of ways, with the hands evenly laced, with one hand overlapping another, or with one hand loosely grasping the other. Practice a variety of holds at home first so you will feel comfortable doing this at the interview. Be sure your hands and fingernails are clean. Women may want to coat their nails with a clear gloss of polish for added protection and a professional appearance. Avoid more than one or two rings, and cover unsightly moles, bruises, or other disfigurements that may be distracting.
4. Cross your arms. Do this sporadically, and don't maintain this position for long, as it can make you appear defensive. Lightly cross one arm over the other or clasp the alternate elbow or midpoint of the arm. This can help you look reflective or relaxed, although you may be asked if you are chilly. Don't cross your arms over your chest, as this may convey the look of a corpse.
5. Rest your hands separately in your lap or on your thighs. Again, this should look very relaxed and poised. If you take a careless approach, you might appear informal or uncaring. Hands should face palm down, and one may grasp a finger from the other. Basically you appear to be unclenched and not tense. This may take some practice, so try it in front of the mirror at home first.
Occasional hand gestures are fine. Just don't use them as part of your conversation all the time. Give them, and your listener, a rest.
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