Body barriers

It's natural to hide behind barriers when we want to protect ourselves, but an interview is not the time to come over all shy and retiring. Folding your arms across your chest conveys a nervous, negative and even aggressive attitude that will only get your interviewer marking crosses way down the clipboard. You could say the same about leg crossing, but most experts agree that it's your upper torso that really says most about you. So aim to be open and honest, in mind and body.

Learn how not to act in your job interview.

Face touching

Children often cover their mouths when they're telling lies, and this is a habit that extends into adulthood. It's just as we get older so our body language becomes a bit more refined. Hand covering becomes nose touching or cheek brushing, but it'll still invite suspicion on the part of your interviewer.

Shifty eyes

Don't keep turning your attention to the floor or the ceiling. It might be a blank canvas for your thoughts, but it appears as if you're evading a question.

Fidgeting

You might be tempted to lose that nervous energy through the floorboards, but watching your knee bouncing up and down is one distraction your interviewer doesn't need. If you're really finding it hard to sit still then channel it into hand gestures that back up what you're saying.

Lint picking

Plucking dust from your sleeves or your knees conveys an element of boredom or distrust, because in some ways it's an excuse to form another body barrier. Even if you're certain there's a speck on your leg, just leave it alone. Nobody else will have noticed it but you.

Updated: 01/08/2011