Dear Steve and Jon,

At my networking meetings, I hear a lot about “body language.” Could you explain what that means and how to use it in the job interview?

Signed: Missing the Signals

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Steve Hines, consultant, career coach and author of Atlanta Jobs
Dear Missing,

Body language is important – I have read opinions that it accounts for up to half of an interview. Greet your interviewer with a firm handshake and do not sit until told to do so. Sit up straight in the chair and do not slouch. Be appropriately animated and seem genuinely interested. Project a positive, optimistic attitude. Maintain good eye contact. Smile!

Jon Harvill CPC, consultant and recruiter with Professional Search of Atlanta

Dear Missing,

Subconsciously we naturally express body language and normally read body language quite well. Similar to improving your listening skills, improving your power of observation can be a tremendous advantage in interviewing. Not only will you observe when the interviewer unfolds her arms, indicating she is more “open” to what you are saying, you can observe exactly when the muscles around the eyes relax (eyes appear more open with more sparkle), a flushing of the complexion and possibly a slight nodding of the head may signal when the interviewer is excited about what she is hearing or seeing.