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Body Language Tips for Your Job Search

Body Language Tips for Your Job Search

Body language is often misunderstood – and its potential impact commonly underestimated – in the context of a job search, particularly among legal professionals.

 

The hiring process is a multi-phase process in which different facets of your overall desirability as a candidate are assessed in different ways. In the initial phase, your résumé is indicative of your professional qualifications, while your cover letter serves as a further elaboration of these qualifications and is expressive of your personality, goals, and interest in the position itself. Later, during the interview phase of the hiring process, your actual, in-person character traits and “fit” for the workplace will be assessed. Your success in this regard will depend largely on your ability to project charisma through words and body language.

 

Substantial evidence supports the idea that body language – or nonverbal communication – is an important component of human communication. Though experts disagree on the specifics, most agree that nonverbal communication plays a particularly dominant role, with some studies reporting that as much as 70% of human communication is transmitted through body language alone.

 

Given the importance of body language to communication, your ability to successfully express professionalism and confidence through body language will almost certainly help with securing your next attorney position.

 

In the interview phase, generally speaking, you want to project a positive, confident image to the interviewer. Here’s some body language tips to keep in mind as you begin your job search.

 

Consistent Eye Contact

 

Consistent eye contact is absolutely necessary in order to project a positive image during the hiring process, as it is expressive of trustworthiness, engagement, and a high level of comfort, all of which are advantageous associations. Though it is perfectly reasonable to break eye contact every once in awhile as part of the natural ebb-and-flow of conversation, if you break eye contact too frequently, you may be seen as dishonest or suffering from low-confidence. When maintaining eye contact, however, do try to avoid staring too intensely (as it may come off as inauthentic, or in some cases, even aggressive).

 

Maintain Open Body Language

 

Open, relaxed body language effectively communicates confidence, comfortability, and friendliness. Avoid crossing your arms, putting your hands together in your lap, or scrunching your shoulders. These – and other nonverbal positions – reflect various negative personality traits (for example, crossing of the arms is commonly associated with aggression, defensiveness, and inflexibility).

 

Lean Forward to Intimate Interest

 

Maintaining a consistent forward posture may be negative in the sense that it could be perceived as unprofessional, but during the natural ebb-and-flow of conversation, leaning forward can intimate heightened interest and curiosity. Use it wisely. Leaning forward with a genuine smile and a nod can demonstrate authentic interest in the conversational subject, which can give you a substantial advantage if you are attempting to convince the interviewer that you have a special interest in their firm, their work history, etc.

 

Respect Personal Space

 

In the United States, most people – particularly in the professional setting – expect a reasonable amount of personal space. Many find that the correct amount of space is about one and a half arm’s length distance. Try to maintain this distance when in direct conversation, as it demonstrates your genuine engagement and keeps the conversation within comfortable bounds.

 

Do be aware, however, that what constitutes reasonable personal space changes significantly depending on a person’s cultural background and upbringing. If an interviewer does not adhere to the mainstream American conception of personal space, briefly establish rapport, then naturally distance yourself to the correct amount of space.

 

Demonstrate Curiosity

 

Law firm and corporate hiring can take a toll on you after awhile as the lines begin to blur between interviews. One law firm pro bono program may have minute differences from another law firm pro bono program, and so on. Though many of your interviews may seem like a retread of other interviews, try not to let this realization affect your positive body language. During an interview, your body language should project curiosity when appropriate.

 

In body language terms, raised eyebrows and a slightly tilted neck demonstrate curiosity. Of course, there are other nonverbal cues that demonstrate curiosity. Nodding your head (though not excessively) expresses a desire to have the speaker continue, implying curiosity.

 

 

The key to successfully projecting a positive, professional, and charismatic personality through body language is to simply be mindful of your nonverbal communication. Actively managing your body language can lead to inauthentic movements and positions. Instead, try to be mindful of your expressions over the course of an interview, and make sure that your expressions match the intended effect.

 

If you’re an attorney looking for a new position, speak with a Los Angeles legal recruiter at Garb Jaffe & Associates. We have extensive experience placing attorneys with prestigious law firms and large corporations located across California, and will advise throughout the recruitment process so that you can secure an ideal placement.

 

Call us today at (310) 207-0727 for a free consultation.

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