Mastering Video Interview Body Language

EP 3046 Practical tips for candidates on how to project confidence and engagement through nonverbal cues such as eye contact, posture, gestures, and facial expressions. ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTERPeople hire Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter to provide No BS job search coaching and career advice globally because he makes job search and succeeding in your career easier. Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about one-on-one or group coaching during your job search at ⁠www. TheBigGameHunter.us. You will also find great info and job search coaching to help with your job search at ⁠⁠JobSearch. Community⁠⁠ You can get free copies of 25 Interview Questions and Answers, How to Craft a Compelling Elevator Pitch in 20 Seconds or Less, Get Ready for the Job Jungle, Diagnosing Your Job Search Problems, No BS Resume Advice, and Prove Your Worth First, Then Negotiate. Receive free weekly suggestions and more. Subscribe to No BS Job Search Advice Radio, the #1 podcast in Apple Podcasts for job search with more than 3000 episodes. Connect on LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠ We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to ⁠www. TheBigGameHunter.us⁠ and notice is provided that it is provided by Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to ⁠www. TheBigGameHunter.us⁠ makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay. Please contact us to negotiate the use of our content as training data.

• 0:00Speaker 00

  You're tuning into another Deep Dive and today, well, we're tackling something that's probably on your mind during job interviews.

• 0:06Speaker 01

  Mm-hmm.

• 0:07Speaker 00

  What is that interviewer actually thinking behind their, you know, poker face? We want to give you a bit of an insider's peek.

• 0:14Speaker 01

  Yeah, exactly. We're talking body language, those non-verbal cues happening right there, whether you're in the room or on a video call.

• 0:22Speaker 00

  It's like a whole silent conversation going on.

• 0:24Speaker 01

  It really is. So, our goal today is to help you maybe recognize and interpret some of those key signals. Think of it like adding another layer to figuring out how things are going.

• 0:36Speaker 00

  Okay, but let's be clear upfront. This isn't some kind of mind-reading superpower we're offering.

• 0:41Speaker 01

  Oh, definitely not. Body language is, well, it's complicated, nuanced.

• 0:45Speaker 00

  Right. What one gesture means can change based on, I don't know, personality.

• 0:50Speaker 01

  Culture.

• 0:51Speaker 00

  All of that. But knowing the common signals can still give you really valuable clues. Clues about engagement, how they're receiving what you're saying.

• 0:59Speaker 01

  Okay, so where do we start breaking this down? Seems like a lot to cover. Let's kick things off with the part you're most likely to see clearly, especially on video calls. The head, the face, and the eyes.

• 1:12Speaker 00

  Makes sense. Okay, eyes first then.

• 1:14Speaker 01

  Eye contact.

• 1:15Speaker 00

  Feels pretty basic, but crucial.

• 1:17Speaker 01

  It really is. Generally speaking, if the interviewer is making pretty steady, direct eye contact, that's usually a good sign.

• 1:25Speaker 00

  Good how? What does it suggest?

• 1:28Speaker 01

  It often signals things like confidence, sincerity, and just genuine interest. They're actually listening to you.

• 1:35Speaker 00

  Okay, like they're engaged.

• 1:36Speaker 01

  Exactly. Think about when you're really listening to someone, you tend to look at them.

• 1:40Speaker 00

  True, so what about the flip side?

• 1:41Speaker 01

  Mm-hmm.

• 1:41Speaker 00

  If they're constantly looking away, maybe over your shoulder in person or off-screen on a call?

• 1:47Speaker 01

  Yeah, if they're frequently breaking eye contact, it could suggest a few things. Maybe they're distracted.

• 1:52Speaker 00

  Bored.

• 1:52Speaker 01

  Or bored, yes. Or maybe impatient, wanting to move on. But, and this is important for virtual interviews.

• 1:58Speaker 00

  Oh, right. The setup.

• 2:00Speaker 01

  Exactly. They might just be looking at your resume on another screen or, you know, taking notes. So, a quick glance away isn't necessarily bad.

• 2:07Speaker 00

  So, it's more about the pattern, like consistent looking away?

• 2:11Speaker 01

  Spot on. If it feels like their attention is just... Generally elsewhere, that might be a little nudge for you to maybe switch things up.

• 2:18Speaker 00

  Like ask a question or change the pace a bit.

• 2:20Speaker 01

  Yeah, try to reengage them somehow. It's just feedback.

• 2:23Speaker 00

  Okay, that's helpful. What about a head tilt? Sometimes you see people do that slight tilt when listening.

• 2:29Speaker 01

  Ah, the head tilt. That's often a really positive cue.

• 2:32Speaker 00

  Positive. How so?

• 2:33Speaker 01

  It tends to mean they're actively listening, really considering what you're saying. It can show empathy, engagement, like they're leaning in with their mind.

• 2:42Speaker 00

  Interesting, like a non-verbal. Hmm, tell me more.

• 2:46Speaker 01

  Pretty much. Now, smiles, they seem obvious, but maybe they aren't always what they seem.

• 2:51Speaker 00

  Right, I was gonna ask about that. A smile's good, but are there different kinds?

• 2:56Speaker 01

  Absolutely. The key difference is often between a genuine felt smile and maybe a more, uh, social or polite one.

• 3:04Speaker 00

  And how do you tell?

• 3:05Speaker 01

  Look at the eyes. A really genuine smile, psychologists sometimes call it a Duchenne smile, involves the muscles around the eyes crinkling up.

• 3:12Speaker 00

  Ah, the crow's feet.

• 3:14Speaker 01

  Exactly. Those little crinkles, those eye muscles, are harder to control consciously, so it's a more reliable sign of real positive feeling.

• 3:23Speaker 00

  Okay, so eye crinkles, good. What if it's just the mouth smiling? No eye action?

• 3:28Speaker 01

  Well, a mouth-only smile might just be politeness, they're being courteous, or potentially it could be a bit forced if they're maybe feeling awkward or not truly pleased.

• 3:39Speaker 00

  So again, don't just look at the smile in isolation.

• 3:42Speaker 01

  Never. It's always about the cluster of cues, the whole picture.

• 3:46Speaker 00

  Okay, got it. Let's move down a bit. Arms and hands. What can they tell us?

• 3:50Speaker 01

  Sure. Arms can be quite telling. If they're open, maybe resting on the chair arms or the table, that usually suggests openness from the interviewer.

• 3:58Speaker 00

  Like they're relaxed, receptive?

• 3:59Speaker 01

  Yeah, relaxed, approachable, willing to hear what you've got to say. It projects a welcoming vibe.

• 4:04Speaker 00

  Okay, that makes sense. But what about the classic crossed arms? That always feels a bit standoffish.

• 4:10Speaker 01

  It often is interpreted that way, yeah. Crossed arms can be a sign that someone's feeling closed off, maybe a bit defensive or just not really engaged. It's like a physical barrier.

• 4:19Speaker 00

  But not always, right? You mentioned context before.

• 4:22Speaker 01

  Crucial point. Context is everything. Someone might just be cold, or maybe that's just how they comfortably sit.

• 4:28Speaker 00

  So how do you know?

• 4:29Speaker 01

  Look for other signs. Are the crossed arms combined with, say, avoiding eye contact, or a frown, or leaning back? If you see a cluster like that, then it's a stronger signal they might be disengaged or resistant.

• 4:42Speaker 00

  Okay. Look for the pattern again. What about hand gestures?

• 4:46Speaker 01

  Hand gestures can add emphasis. Big, open, expansive gestures might show enthusiasm or passion for what's being discussed. Could be positive, could be negative, depending on what they're gesturing about.

• 4:56Speaker 00

  And smaller movements, like fidgeting.

• 4:59Speaker 01

  Right. Things like tapping fingers, playing with a pen, constantly adjusting things, that could signal some nervousness.

• 5:06Speaker 00

  On their part.

• 5:07Speaker 01

  Interesting. Yeah, or maybe impatience. Remember, interviewers can feel pressure, too.

• 5:12Speaker 00

  True. What about face touching? Rubbing the chin, touching the nose. Does that mean anything?

• 5:17Speaker 01

  It can. Sometimes touching the face, like the chin or mouth area, indicates someone is thinking, processing information.

• 5:24Speaker 00

  Okay, like contemplating.

• 5:25Speaker 01

  But frequent touching, especially near the nose or mouth, is sometimes linked to discomfort, stress, or even, in some theories, deception. But honestly, don't jump to that conclusion.

• 5:37Speaker 00

  Like, don't assume they're lying just because they touched their nose.

• 5:40Speaker 01

  Please don't. It's just another tiny piece of data to consider alongside everything else.

• 5:43Speaker 00

  Okay. Arms, hands, face touching. Check. How about posture? The way they're sitting overall.

• 5:52Speaker 01

  Posture's a big one. It speaks volumes about confidence and engagement. If they're sitting up relatively straight, shoulders relaxed, torso open towards you, that usually signals they're feeling confident, comfortable, and attentive.

• 6:05Speaker 00

  Sounds like a good baseline. What if they're kind of slumped, hunched over?

• 6:08Speaker 01

  A slumped posture could mean a few things, maybe low energy, lack of interest, could just be tired, honestly, especially after back-to-back interviews.

• 6:16Speaker 00

  Or maybe defensive?

• 6:17Speaker 01

  Or potentially defensive or disengaged, yes. Again, look at the context.

• 6:21Speaker 00

  What about leaning? If they lean in a bit while I'm talking?

• 6:24Speaker 01

  Ah, leaning in is generally a great sign.

• 6:26Speaker 00

  Yeah. Why's that?

• 6:27Speaker 01

  It physically shows they're interested, engaged, they want to hear more, they're connecting with what you're saying. It's a very positive, nonverbal cue.

• 6:35Speaker 00

  Cool. And I've heard about mirroring, where they sort of copy your posture.

• 6:40Speaker 01

  Yes. Mirroring is fascinating. It's often unconscious. When people feel a connection or rapport, they might subtly start to mirror each other's posture, gestures, even head angle.

• 6:51Speaker 00

  So if the interviewer starts sitting like me, that's good.

• 6:54Speaker 01

  It can be, yeah. It often suggests they feel comfortable with you, that there's a sense of connection or agreement building. It's like their body is saying, I'm on the same page.

• 7:02Speaker 00

  Wow, okay. Solid agreement. Love it. Now, legs and feet. You said they're harder to see, especially online, but still potential clues.

• 7:11Speaker 01

  Exactly. Less visible, but if you are in person and can see them, they can offer hints.

• 7:16Speaker 00

  Like what?

• 7:17Speaker 01

  Well, where are their feet pointing? If both feet are pointed generally towards you, it reinforces that idea of engagement and openness. Their whole body is oriented your way.

• 7:26Speaker 00

  Okay, and if one foot is like pointing towards the door.

• 7:29Speaker 01

  Mm-hmm. Huh, yeah, the escape route foot. It can sometimes suggest a subconscious desire to wrap things up or move on, especially if paired with other cues, like checking the time or shifting restlessly.

• 7:41Speaker 00

  Interesting. What about crossed legs? Is that like crossed arms potentially closed off?

• 7:46Speaker 01

  It can be interpreted that way, suggesting someone's a bit more reserved or guarded. But honestly, crossed legs are probably one of the least reliable cues on their own.

• 7:55Speaker 00

  Why's that?

• 7:55Speaker 01

  So many people just cross their legs out of habit or for comfort. You'd really need other confirming signals before reading much into just crossed legs.

• 8:03Speaker 00

  Ah, yeah, and restless legs, bouncing, tapping.

• 8:06Speaker 01

  That often points to some underlying energy. Could be anxiety, impatience, maybe even boredom, similar to fidgety hands. It's just nervous energy finding an outlet.

• 8:17Speaker 00

  Okay, wow. We've broken down a lot here. Eyes, face, arms, posture, even feet. But the big message seems to be, don't fixate on one single thing.

• 8:27Speaker 01

  Absolutely, 100%. That's probably the most important takeaway. Interpreting body language isn't like reading a dictionary. It's not precise.

• 8:34Speaker 00

  So many things can affect it, right?

• 8:35Speaker 01

  Yeah, so many. We mentioned culture gestures mean different things globally. Personality plays a huge role. Some folks are just naturally more expressive or reserved.

• 8:45Speaker 00

  And practical stuff, like being cold, making you cross your arms.

• 8:48Speaker 01

  Exactly. Or having a bad back, making someone slouch. You can't just see one thing and decide, aha! They hate me, or aha, I've got the job.

• 8:57Speaker 00

  So it's about the clusters. See multiple signals pointing the same way.

• 9:01Speaker 01

  Precisely. Look for patterns. Are several cues telling a consistent story? Is the lean in matched with eye contact and nods? That's much more meaningful than just one isolated gesture. And always, always, consider the overall context of the conversation.

• 9:17Speaker 00

  And we also need to remember, interviewers are human too. And they might be consciously trying to seem welcoming.

• 9:23Speaker 01

  That's a really smart point. Many are trained or naturally inclined to use positive body language. Open posture, smiling to put candidates at ease.

• 9:31Speaker 00

  So it's part of creating a good candidate experience.

• 9:33Speaker 01

  Right, which is generally positive. But it doesn't automatically mean they've made up their mind about you based purely on that welcoming body language.

• 9:41Speaker 00

  So, okay, bottom line. Pay attention to these cues. They can offer insights.

• 9:47Speaker 01

  Mm hmm.

• 9:48Speaker 00

  But don't let it distract you from the main event, which is the actual conversation.

• 9:52Speaker 01

  Yeah.

• 9:53Speaker 00

  Answering well, asking good questions.

• 9:55Speaker 01

  Couldn't have said it better myself. Think of this knowledge as just another tool. It adds a layer of understanding, helps you gauge the temperature of the room, maybe adapt slightly. But your focus has to be on communicating your value.

• 10:09Speaker 00

  And it goes both ways, doesn't it?

• 10:10Speaker 01

  Yeah.

• 10:11Speaker 00

  They're reading our body language too.

• 10:12Speaker 01

  Oh, absolutely.

• 10:13Speaker 00

  How they not.

• 10:14Speaker 01

  Constantly, how you sit, your eye contact, your gestures. It all contributes to the impression you make. Projecting confidence and engagement nonverbally is just as important.

• 10:24Speaker 00

  Well, this has been a super insightful deep dive.

• 10:26Speaker 01

  Yeah.

• 10:26Speaker 00

  Hopefully it demystifies some of that silent communication for our listeners.

• 10:29Speaker 01

  Yeah, hopefully it empowers you to be a bit more observant next time and use those observations constructively.

• 10:35Speaker 00

  So when you head into that next interview, definitely keep these nonverbal signals in the back of your mind. But mostly, focus on being yourself, be authentic, and really show them what you bring to the table.

• 10:44Speaker 01

  Well said. And maybe, here's a final thought to chew on. Now that you're more aware of these nonverbal signals, which specific cues from an interviewer might you pay a little closer attention to next time? And more importantly, how by noticing those cues actually shape how you navigate the rest of that conversation?