Body Language in Job Interviews

Gone are the days when the job seeker has to write the handwritten

application letter to earn that job interview. In this age of computers and cyber

technology, most employers prefer applicants who apply online, and more job

seekers are looking to the net for their job opportunities. But one thing remains

the same - the body language of the applicant during job interviews and how they

make the first impression as they step inside that interview room.

Your Type of Person

Based on your body language, an interviewer may know whether you are

confident or not, if you are the shy type or the friendly type, if you are a loner or a

team player, or even if you are telling the truth or not. They can tell if you are

capable of handling the job, if you are devoted, or if you’re someone who can get

along with other employees. Based on their questions, the interviewer will not

only pay attention to what you say, but also on how you say it. The interviewer

generally will find responses from you that match their qualifications. How you

can decode the body language of your interviewer in relation to your own body

language will determine the thin line if you get that job or not.

Be Punctual

This is the most important aspect of the job interview – arriving on time.

The job interview is deemed as a very important appointment, and being late is a

cardinal crime with gravity that may cause you to lose that job opportunity. Your

attitude regarding time will send the wrong messages to the employer, and will

tell a lot about your lack of professionalism. Being stuck in traffic is a very lame

and downright unforgivable excuse. It is better to be early by one hour than to be

a minute late.

The First Encounter

When the interviewer comes to the room to meet you, do not offer your

hand for a handshake unless the interviewer offers his hand. Shake hands firmly,

but do not squeeze. Maintain eye contact.

Proper Body Posture

Body posture is important during job interviews and you can adopt the

following stance. At the beginning of the interview, sit up straight in your chair,

with your back leaning against the back of the chair. Do not slouch or move

sideways in your chair because it might be perceived by the interviewer as a lack

of interest or boredom. On the other hand, sitting on the edge of your chair can

impart a message that you are a little nervous and that you feel uneasy with the

situation.

When the interviewer says something, it is advisable to lean forward a

little. This shows interest and attention in what the interviewer is saying. You can

tilt your head a little to show that you are listening closely.

Proper Gestures

Do not cross your arms because this might be perceived as a defensive

move. Just place your hands loosely on your lap or just put them on the armrest

of your chair. By doing this, you will also be able to make hand movements to

support what you are saying.

While speaking, you may nod your head occasionally to expound on a

subject or to give more meaning to what you are saying. Hand movements can

also help to spice up the conversation. The interviewer would think that you are

comfortable with the interview process if you make hand gestures.

Too much hand movements at the beginning of the interview may not be a

good idea. The proper way is to add them gradually throughout the interview.

Be aware of your interviewer’s hand movements as well. If they use their

hands a lot to make a point or to clarify something, you can do the same thing as

well (Remember mirroring?). When they don't make many movements, do the

same thing as them. It is important to adjust your gestures to that of the

interviewer to establish rapport.

Be alert to unintentional gestures that you may make sometimes due to

tension. Some of the acts that may irritate the interviewer could include:

 Tapping your fingers across the desk.

 Shuffling your feet.

 Biting your nails.

 Toying with a pen.

The Panel Interview

Being interviewed by one person could be a piece of cake for many. But

being interviewed by a group could be a confusing ordeal, especially when it

comes to who you should look at during the interview.

It is important to maintain eye contact with all the interviewers at an equal

extent. By looking uniformly at them, you will establish their trust and you will

gain composure throughout the interview process.

When one of the interview partners asks or says something, maintain eye

contact with him until he ceases speaking. This will indicate that you're listening

attentively. While he is speaking, he may also look at the other interviewers.

When he looks at you again, you can nod your head to encourage him to

continue speaking.

When you answer a question, look first at the one who asked. But while

you are answering, you should take turns looking at each of the other

interviewers as well. You should direct yourself again to the person who asked

the question when you want to prove a point, when you want to emphasize

something, and when you are done answering.

Body Language of Your Interviewers

Observing the body language of your interviewers is as important as being

aware of your own body movements. The body gestures of your interviewers can

give you an indication of how well you are coming across to them. This can serve

as a signal to change your approach at an early stage before they give you the

thumbs down.

For example, when you did something that displeases the interviewers,

they will show their annoyance through body language. When they sigh, shake

their heads, look down, or fold their arms and lean back, you can take this as a

sign of discontentment or irritability. The interviewers might not consciously

notice that they’re exhibiting their body movements at first, so you still have a

chance to shift your strategy.

It’s Okay to be Nervous

Knowing how to act confidently using body language can increase your

chances of passing the interview. You can utilize this knowledge to conceal your

anxiety a little, but this is something you shouldn't worry about too much. Many

applicants are tensed during an interview, and they would not want to let the

interviewer know about their inner feelings. However, it is completely

understandable to be nervous at this stage. It is completely normal.

Your nervousness may even indicate how valuable getting this job is to

you. If you weren't nervous, and you act like a happy-go-lucky person, you might

be perceived as someone who is not very interested in the job.

The interview not only functions as a way of determining who among the

applicants is most capable of performing the job well, but it is also a means of

allowing the interviewer to get to know more about the applicants. It's a first

encounter with an individual that you might soon work together with. If that’s the

case, then the interviewer (who could be your boss) should actually feel the

same way as you are. Nervousness often accompanies excitement.It's human live. I am human. I like Human lives.

Body Language (4)

CHAPTER 4

Body Language in Selling

Studies in Psychology tell us that the effect you have on others depends

on what you say from the mouth (7%), the manner in which you say it (38%), and

by your body language (55%). In addition, how you sound also imparts a

message, so 93% of emotion is also conveyed without saying the actual words.

This is also true in selling. In the real world, we sell tangible items and also

ideas. A concise way on how we can sell effectively is by simply using that old

but very powerful arsenal known as body language.

When you sell, you can use postures, facial expressions, gestures,

mannerisms, and your physical appearance to close the sale successfully. Most

customers tend to buy when triggered by their senses. The key here is to do

everything you can to positively affect their senses.

Most people believed the image projected by Saint Mother Theresa is a

positive image. She used her personality to convey a constant image of holiness

and sincerity. We bought the idea of her image.

Non-verbal communication also connotes that a man of few words is a

man of credibility. It's often not what you say that influences others; it's what you

don't say. The signals that you impart using body movements suggest

comprehension, disposition, morality, and compassion.

In selling, the instant you meet a target client, he is already examining you

based on your image and perception in a span of ten seconds or less. This is a

crucial moment in selling, as his first impression of you will definitely make a

permanent mark.

Whether you make or break a sale can literally depend on the non-verbal

signals that you send during this crucial first contact. It’s a must for readers of

this book to understand the facets of body language especially in selling.

Americans, for example, are somewhat categorized as one of the best in reading

body language, because they espouse thousands of non-verbal signs. This

ability makes them formidable negotiators.

In addition, women are generally considered to be more adept to body

language than men because of their natural built-in instincts. Now you know the

secret why some women are more successful than men in the business or

professional field.

As a rule of thumb, body language is being used most of the time all over

the world. The most common example is a nodding head (meaning “yes”).

But it is not necessarily the case every time. For example, shaking legs

might connote that a person is nervous, while it may just be a person’s natural

behavior. A person’s eyes could evade you because he’s hiding something, or it

could also mean that he’s extremely shy.

Given these intricacies, what’s important is to analyze what the message

really is. You can do it by looking at patterns. Look out for groups of signals that

may have the same meaning in relation to the verbal expressions, and also in

cognizance to the circumstances.

Once you have traced the patterns, it is easier to understand body

language. It will therefore help you make a sale.

Written below are some body language techniques to help make your

sales sizzle:

1. You can immediately analyze a person’s personality by studying his

style in shaking hands. An assertive person holds your hand firmly

when you shake his hand. On the other hand, an individual with little or

no confidence often gives a frail handshake. A person who wants to

win your trust would usually shake your hand with his other hand

covering the shake or holding your elbow. Adopt a handshake that is

firm, yet not crushing. Convey confidence and professionalism, not

dominance.

2. Posture is another aspect of body language. A slouching shoulder with

your eyes looking on the ground can indicate lack of interest. Standing

straight with your weight balanced on each foot gives you a more

assured and relaxed look. Always maintain a straight body, whether

you’re standing or sitting.

3. Match the straight open posture with a genuine facial expression.

Dispose of the sunglasses. The client may think that you are hiding

something, as he can’t see through your eyes. When he looks straight

in your eyes, he can tell if you are lying, so be transparent. Lay down

your cards and throw the shades away. But be sure to avoid piercing

looks. The client might get intimidated.

4. When doing sales calls and presentations, be sure to use sincere and

open movements all the time. Do not cross your arms, as this can ruin

the trust of your potential customer. The outward and upward gestures

of your hands are recommendable. If you lean back on a

chair and place your hands at the back of your head, it may drive your

clients away as this is a sure sign of arrogance and a false sense of

confidence. Meanwhile, if you place your hands on your waists, you

are exuding positive confidence.

5. "Don't point.” Pointing at a client is equivalent to death wish in selling. It

is as if you’re waving your sales opportunity goodbye. Pointing is an

aggressive act that can be interpreted as hostility, so throw this gesture

out the window if you really want to sell.

6. In sales, here are signs that you are open for negotiations and are

willing to compromise. Unbuttoning your jacket means you are ready to

talk and to listen to a counter offer. Removing your jacket or rolling

your sleeves up is a very good sign for the client, as this means you

are ready to decide or to give in to the final price.

You, as the seller, may also use body language as a tool to recognize and

counteract any potential objections by the client. The usual scenarios include the

following:

1. If the client’s arms are crossed, it means he is disinterested. Use

counter measures like positive movements to cause them to uncross

their arms, and for you to begin the sales approach. When his arms

and legs are uncrossed, and his hands are open, this is the best

scenario, as they are open to your ideas…and a sale is more likely to

happen.

2. Another good sales scenario is when the client mimics your gestures

like when you fix your hair and the client follows. It shows he is very

receptive to your ideas and open to buy your idea or product. If this is

the case, throw all your barrage of features and benefits, and close the

sale! This point is crucial as you can make or break the sale.

3. If the client covers his mouth, touches his nose, or the part near the

eye, there’s a probability that you are losing the sale. Something you

said or did might have discouraged him. But don’t despair. Do the

selling process again; but this time, do it differently. Reassure the client

that he is getting a great deal and encourage him to open up and share

ideas. Open your palms and unconsciously let him see you

occasionally putting your palm to your chest (this signifies honesty).

Then try to reach that positive sales atmosphere again and close the

sale.

4. Always be alert to the signs the client is exhibiting. If the client shows

interest through his body movements, give the final sales blow and

close the sale. The client's body language may change from positive to

suspecting. In this case, take it easy, gather your wits, read your

client’s moods, and try to win him back. Always exhibit openness and

sincerity. When the client crosses his legs and arms, this is a warning

signal. Use mirroring techniques (discussed in the previous chapter).

You must make every effort to earn the trust of the client, so that you

ultimately can close the deal.

5. In worse cases where you are unable to close the sale, try to be

professional and diplomatic at all times. Thank the client for listening

and shake his hand with sincerity. Sales cannot be achieved overnight

and you generally win some and lose some. Closing the presentation

on a positive note will leave a good impression of you. Who knows, he

might be your next positive client at some other time.

Use your body every way you can in the selling process. Always be

enthusiastic. If you truly believe in the high quality of your product or service,

other people will be positively affected by your enthusiasm. Body movements can

convince prospects to become believers in what you are offering.

Body Language (3)

Chapter 3

Body Language in Negotiations

In almost every point in your life, you unconsciously do the art of

negotiations. From haggling with your favorite flea market sales lady, to lobbying

for a well-deserved increase from your boss, negotiations are being made daily in

your life. And would you believe almost all aspects of the negotiation process

involves body language?

In terms of the actual negotiation in business, body language is a very

important aspect. Reading body movements of your counterparts and making the

right gestures may spell the difference between success and failure in the

negotiation process.

Early Signs

The first step in using body language in a negotiation begins the moment

you walk into the negotiation room. Be keen in observing their body language by

focusing on the whole body - the head, arms, hands, chest, tummy, legs and

feet. If you achieve this, you will be able to listen better. You will also be more

perceptive in reading their body language.

Personal Space in Negotiations

In the negotiating table, each person creates his own personal space, his

own territory. By business practice, people of higher status (e.g. president of a

company) command more personal space, and are usually conferred by other

people in the negotiating table.

For example, the authority over the most dominant chair (usually the head

of the table) is the apparent symbol of power. If this person occupies the

dominant chair, a good negotiator can repel this by strategic seating arrangement

of teams or allies in the negotiating table. You may sit in a way that you surround

that person, or any seating arrangement where you may comfortably get

leverage.

First Impressions Last

In the negotiating table, the first move is the most crucial. Just like in the

game of chess, if you play the white piece, you get the built-in advantage

because you draw first blood, and the opponent’s next move and game plan for

that matter is dependent on that crucial first move.

So make a good, firm, and calculated move. Begin with a positive body

language. Radiate your enthusiasm. In a meeting for example, look in the other

person's eyes with sincerity. Your eyes are the windows to your soul. If you can’t

maintain eye contact, they might think you’re hiding something or you’re not

sincere.

Give a solid handshake. Hold the hand firmly but don't squeeze it. A

common fallacy is that we should squeeze the hand during this monumental time

of the handshake. This is certainly not advisable.

Press the hand one time while looking the person straight in the eye.

Pressing the hand once or twice may indicate excitement or vitality, but anything

more than that can make the other person uneasy.

Put Your Body Language Know-how to Use

During the negotiation process, observe their gestures. In the first chapter,

you were taught how to recognize if people are interested in what you are saying,

if they are casting doubts on you, if they are more open to accept your proposal,

and even when they are lying.

Be alert in recognizing these signals. Moreover, also be aware of your

own actions. You might be exhibiting signs of nervousness without you knowing

it, and your counterparts (who might also know body language) might take

advantage of the circumstances.

Body Language (2)

Chapter 2

Mirroring

Who would you rather be with? Your best friend who loves pizza as much

as you do, who's crazy about basketball like you are, who watches the same

programs on TV as you; or your next-door neighbor who's a vegetarian, hates

sports, and watches those shows that will bore you to dreamland?

The answer is obvious. You would want to be around people who have the

same behaviors, attitudes, and values as yours.

Birds of the same feather flock together.

Bookworms like each other's company because they share a common

bond - their love for books. Basketball fanatics flock together because they can

RELATE to each other's interests and ideas.

If you really want someone to like and trust you, you've got to exhibit the

same qualities as that person. And there’s no better way to do this than by using

body language. Here’s how it goes:

Match their facial expressions, gestures, posture, speech, styles, actions,

breathing patterns, values and beliefs. Put yourself in their shoes. In other words,

BE THEM.

By doing this, you are also matching their way of thinking. You may easily

adapt to their inner thoughts and views.

You may also do some crossover matching. For example, you talk at the

same rate as their breathing. Or you can scratch your chin every time their eyes

blink. Get the idea?

Be genuinely interested and curious with everything you can find out about

them. Discover their attitude. Know their life story.

This is what we call mirroring.

But mirroring should not be confused with mimicry. You should act with

courtesy and caution. Never let the person you're mirroring be aware of what

you're doing. Just imagine acting out shamelessly what the other person is doing.

Every time he stands, you stand. When he scratches his head, you also scratch

your head. That would be insulting. Never let the person you’re mirroring have

any chance to think that you are mocking him.

Your main objective should be to influence the subconscious. Even if a

person is not aware that you're mirroring him, his subconscious mind realizes it.

The person will subconsciously be at ease when you duplicate his

manners indirectly. He will feel very comfortable if you're both on the same level.

Correspond with Their Moods

If a person you’re mirroring have lots of problems, don't come to him in a

joyous mood and say, "Don't worry about it. Let's watch a movie so that you'll

forget about whatever's bugging you."

He’s in a foul mood. He expects you to feel for him, to empathize with him.

Match his disposition first, then say something like, "I feel bad for you. If there's

anything I can do to help, just let me know." All he wants right now is to be with

someone who has the same mood as he has.

A word of warning though. If someone has some really big emotional

problems, and you mirror that person, you run the risk of actually absorbing his

emotions. So do this activity in a low-risk situation.

Developing Rapport

The ultimate goal of mirroring is to build rapport. It's the time when you

and the people you’re mirroring feel so close and in synch with each other that

you feel like you've known each other for years.

So how would you know if you've built rapport?

Mirror them. Match whatever characteristic, value, or behavior they

possess that you would like to copy.

After some time, touch your nose or cross your legs. If they do the same

thing, mission accomplished! You've already lowered their defenses to the point

where they are more receptive to your suggestions.

You can even build rapport even if a person you're mirroring is far away.

Here’s how to do it:

1. Just relax. Clear your mind of all negative thoughts and create a bond

by focusing on the entire body of the person you wish to mirror. Make

his image so real and vivid.

2. Use your subconscious to enter his world. Feel the connection. Give

out positive projections uniting his entire persona into yours.

3. Think of what he may be doing at the moment. Then replicate his

actions, behaviors, and principles.

With this exercise, you can even emulate your role models. Let's say you

want to be as successful as your boss who is always traveling around the world.

Do the above exercise and you'll soon see some astounding results.

Body Language (1)

What is Body Language?

Body language is the unspoken or non-verbal mode of communication that

we do in every single aspect of our interaction with another person. It is like a

mirror that tells us what the other person thinks and feels in response to our

words or actions. Body language involves gestures, mannerisms, and other

bodily signs.

Would you believe that in real life situations, 60% to 80% of the messages

that we convey to other people are transmitted through body language and the

actual verbal communication accounts for only 7% to 10%?

Our ability to use body language in a positive way and to read other

people's minds through their body language separates the men from the boys (or

women from girls), and can be a powerful tool to our overall personality

development. Imagine creating a great impression for work, business, and love

by being knowledgeable in this not-so-common yet powerful field of study. It is

the unspoken tool to a successful life.

So read on and find out how you can read and utilize body language - the

most used yet most misunderstood secret language in the world.

Chapter 1

Reading the Signs

We use body language everyday in our lives to get our message across,

to achieve positive feedback in our lives, and to get whatever we want. We use

this language all the time, but we may not be aware of it. Moreover, this language

doesn't only involve the mouth but the whole body as well.

Could you even imagine the awesome power of applying it? With it, you'll

be able to interpret other people's inner emotions even if they're not directly

expressing it. You'll also be able to modify your behavior to fit the situation. You'll

get them to like and trust you. What words cannot do, body language can.

In this chapter, we shall explore the various body gestures or movements

conveyed by people in different scenarios. Let’s begin.

Suggesting Interest

It is important to know if people are interested in what you are saying;

otherwise, you are just wasting your time.

Just imagine you are a chemistry teacher. You have always been

interested in chemistry, so you assume that your students feel the same way as

you do. But are they really interested? Are your teaching methods good enough

to arouse their interest? Unless you can recognize the different body signals your

students are conveying, you would never know how they are adapting to the

subject matter. And unless you find out if staring continuously at you without

blinking the eyes is a sign of interest or an indication of being in dreamland, you

simply could not take the necessary steps to adjust to their learning needs.

Here are some of the movements exhibited by people who are interested

in what you are saying:

 They maintain eye contact more than 60% of the time. The more wideopened

the eyes are, the more interested the person is. In fact, a

person maintains eye contact more when listening than when talking.

 Their heads are inclined forward.

 They are nodding their heads. Such action means that they're agreeing

with you. That means they're attentive and listening.

 Their feet are pointing towards you.

 They smile frequently. But take note, not all smiles convey the same

feeling. An oblong smile is not genuine. It is used to show courtesy, but

not necessarily happiness or friendliness. The lips are withheld

completely back from the upper and lower teeth, forming the oblong

shape. This is usually the smile that many people exhibit when they

feign to enjoy a lame joke.

Indications That They're More Open to Agree with You

When you were a young child, have you ever tried to decode what your

parents’ facial expressions mean when you ask them to buy you a new toy or to

take you to Disneyland? A frown would likely be a “No!” But a nod would make

you jump with joy. As you grow older, it has become a necessity to be able to

detect if other people will agree with your decision or proposal. This is an ability

that will truly help negotiators, employees, and even lovers to succeed in their

ventures because they would be able to change their approach early enough to

adjust to a specific situation.

There are certain hints to indicate if people are more receptive in

accepting your ideas. Some of these are:

 Their hands are flat on the table.

 Their palms are open.

 If they're stroking their chin, they're thinking. They may agree with you

after careful evaluation.

 Their heads are inclined forward.

 They are nodding their heads.

 Their legs are spaced out from each other.

 They smile frequently.

 They unbutton their jackets. This indicates friendliness and willingness

to collaborate with you.

 Their hands are open. This also indicates genuineness.

 They place their hands in their chest. This signifies openness and

conveys sincerity, honesty, or dedication. However, a woman putting

her hands in her breast is a defensive position and may indicate that

she is surprised or astonished.

Indications That They are Thinking

People think all the time. But different individuals make different body

movements based on the type and intensity of their thinking. Some of their

actions are written below:

 They’re stroking their chin. This means they are assessing the

advantages and disadvantages of the proposal/idea being presented.

 They take their glasses off, after which they may either (1) clean them,

or (2) put the tip of the frame in their mouth. They are buying

themselves some time to think things over. A frame in the mouth would

also likely indicate that they need more details and they are willing to

listen.

 They are pinching the bridge of the nose most likely with eyes closed.

People doing this are engaged in very deep thought. They may be

involved in a difficult situation, where they are aware of the

consequences that may occur as a result of making crucial decisions.

 They put a palm below the chin, index finger pointed and extended

along the cheek, while other fingers placed beneath the mouth. This

gesture more likely indicates thoughts that are criticizing or

antagonizing other people.

 They walk with the head down and hands behind the back. People who

walk this way are probably worried about their problems, and they are

thinking of ways to solve them.

Indications That They Are Frustrated/ Dismayed

A basketball coach whose team loses by a point may say “Aaarrrrrrr!” or

he may just keep quiet while making certain body movements that indicate how

disappointed he is. Here are some hints that indicate frustration.

 They are scratching/rubbing the hair or the back of the neck.

 You often hear the word “Tsk.”

 They kick the dust or air.

Indications That They Are Action-Oriented

People who are goal-oriented and highly motivated may not only be

recognized by how they speak. Their actions actually speak louder.

 They walk at a fast rate while swinging their arms loosely.

 They put their hands on their hips, usually with legs apart.

 They walk with hands on their hips. This may indicate a spurt of vitality

at the moment, but may be followed by sluggishness.

Indications That They Are Defensive/Hiding Something

The mouth might keep a secret, but certain gestures could indicate that

people are hiding something they don’t want others to find out, such as:

 They walk with their hands in their pockets.

 They cross their arms.

 They hide their hands any way they can.

Indications Of Boredom

Imagine your boss is doing a presentation and all employees are required

to listen. You noticed that many of them are clicking their pen, tapping their feet,

and drumming their fingers. After the meeting, you hear the boss ask them, “Did

you enjoy the presentation?” They would say “Definitely!” But you know better.

Their actions indicate just how bored they are. It feels good to know body

language, doesn’t it?

Some signals conveyed by people who are bored and disinterested

include:

 Head supported by the palm, often accompanied by drooping eyes.

 They show inattentiveness by staring at a blank space (eyes not

blinking) or by looking around frequently.

 They are pulling their ears. This may also signify that they want to

interrupt while another person is talking.

 They are clicking a pen non-stop.

 They are tapping their hands or feet.

 They yawn incessantly.

 Their feet or other body parts are pointing to the exit, as if they are very

eager to leave.

 They move restlessly in their seats. This could also mean that they are

not cozy or at ease, or they might just be exhausted.

 They cross their legs and constantly kick their foot in a very slight

motion (particularly done by females).

If you’re the one making the presentation and you discerned that your

audience are displaying signs of boredom, don't start talking faster or louder.

Restrain from such act even if your instinct tells you to do so. Instead, say, "Hold

on. I feel that I’m losing your attention. What's up?" Hear what they have to say.

You may discover what's actually preventing them from keeping up with you.

Signals Conveying Excitement or Interest

If you have experienced getting a promotion, receiving a special gift, or

winning a contest, I bet you’ve done any of the acts made by excited people

when you first discovered about your blessing. Some of the movements made by

excited people include:

 They rub their palms against each other.

 They clap their hands.

 Their heads are tilted forward.

 Their cross their fingers (usually comes with the hope that something

big or special will happen).

Signals Exhibiting Confidence/Authority/Power

People with a high degree of self-confidence are normally more likely to

be successful than those who have low self-esteem. Moreover, those who exhibit

authority or dominance usually come out on top because they subconsciously

make other people feel weaker. So how do they move?

 They maintain firm eye contact and rarely looks on other body parts

underneath the nose.

 They speak with a low-pitched, slow-paced, downward-inflected voice.

 Chin tilted upwards.

 Chest projected outwards.

 They maintain an erect posture, whether standing or sitting.

 They sit in reverse, with the back of the chair serving as their support

or shield. People who sit in this position are known to be bossy and

aggressive.

 Their hands are clenched behind the back.

 Their hands are placed beside the hips.

 Their feet are on top of the table.

 They have a firm handshake, palms pointing downwards.

 They lean back with both hands supporting the head.

 They move with precision and with no hesitation.

 They walk solidly with forceful arm swings.

 They join the fingertips of both hands together (small finger of both

hands joined together, ring finger of both hands joined together, and so

on). Palms of both hands are not in contact with each other. The higher

the hands are elevated, the more confident they are.

 They extend one leg over the arm of a chair they’re sitting in. When

they do this, it may also mean that they are apathetic, disinterested, or

unconcerned. They may be exhibiting the “I don’t care” attitude.

Moreover, you can declare your domination over other people by rising or

elevating yourself from them. It is not unusual to see taller people being in control

over the situation. Choose a chair or location where other people will have to

“look up” on you. They will subconsciously think they are weaker and can easily

be manipulated.

Signals Of Anger/Resistance

Many people rarely let their anger go out of control. They are more likely

to restrain their raging emotions. You must therefore be able to recognize any

gesture that signifies wrath or resistance to prevent any possible chances of the

fireworks exploding. Here are some hints:

 Their fists are clenched.

 Their hands or feet are tapping.

 One hand is clutching the other hand, arm, or elbow.

 Their arms are crossed over the chest.

 Their eyes are blinking constantly.

 Collar pulled away from the neck, like letting some air in during a hot

day in the summer.

 They kick the dust or air.

 Their arms are vertically placed on the table while the hands are

gripping the edge. Beware when they do this because it might mean

something like “You better get this done or else!” or “Better listen or

you’ll regret this!”

Signals Of Nervousness/Tension

Nervousness can be a turn-off. If you’re going to be interviewed in a

television show (hey, who knows?), you should be aware of your body

movements. Signals conveyed by nervous people include:

 Their fists are clenched.

 Their hands or feet are tapping.

 The bottom edges between the fingers of one hand are clenched with

the bottom edges between the fingers of the other hand. This is the

position of the hands when praying.

 Hands are interlocked (flesh between thumb and index finger of one

hand joined with flesh between thumb and index finger of another

hand) and pressing each other.

 They speak in a high-pitched, fast-paced, stuttering voice.

 They whistle to conceal and fight their nervousness.

 They are often clearing their throat.

 One hand is clutching the other hand, wrist, arm, or elbow.

 Their arms are at the back, where one hand is pressing the wrist or

arm.

 Their arms are crossed, but they are gripping their biceps.

 Their legs are crossed while standing.

 They have a wilted handshake, palms pointing upwards.

 Their eyes evade you.

 Their ankles are locked or glued to each other. When accompanied by

clenched fists, this may indicate that they are holding back strong

emotions or feelings.

 They don’t smoke. What?!? You thought people smoke because

they’re nervous. But it is in fact the opposite. People who smoke only

do so when they are not tensed in any way.

When you hear them say “Whew,” it means they are previously nervous

but are now relieved because their problems have been solved or they have

survived a big challenge.

Signals Made When They Are Doubting/Suspecting You

It’s sometimes difficult to assume whether you are being regarded as a

trustworthy person, or you are being thought of as someone who is full of

nonsense. Here are some clues that may indicate suspicion:

 They glimpse sideways from the corner of one eye.

 They are rubbing or touching their eyes or ears.

 Their hands are tucked in their pockets.

 Their arms are crossed over the chest.

 Their glasses are dropped to the lower bridge of the nose, with eyes

peering over them. This movement may indicate that you are being

examined closely (to the point that you get conscious).

There’s one act you usually do when you are the one doubting yourself -

rubbing or touching your nose. This subconsciously occurs when you are

uncertain of how to answer a critical question or when you are concerned of

other people’s reaction to your answer.

Signals Made When They Need Reassurance

Some people have this disorder where they feel that they are always

making the wrong decisions. “Should I really buy this? Maybe I should wait for a

sale.” “Can I really get a better job after I resign from this company?” These

people do certain actions to reassure themselves that they have made the right

choice, that everything will be ok.

 They stick a pen in their mouth.

 They squeeze the chunky part of their hand.

 They rub the back of the chair (while sitting).

 They clamp their hands with thumbs touching against one another.

 They bite their nails (in some cases).

 They touch their throat (for women).

 They jiggle the coins in their pockets. (for those who are concerned

about their riches).

Here’s what certain types of people would do when they want to reassure

others:

 A woman gives reassurance to another female by holding both of her

hands and sometimes hugging her. The facial appearance of the

consoling female matches the solemn mood of the other female.

 A politician who would like to reassure you that he will be doing a good

job when elected in public office would shake your hand with his right

hand and cup it with his left hand.

Indications of Pride

People often show how proud they are of their material possession (for

example, a car) by leaning against it or by touching it. You can see the sparkle in

their eyes and you can sense the thrill in their voice.

How To Know When They Are Lying

People lie for a variety of reasons. It may be to cover up a fault or

embarrassment, to avoid upsetting other people, to encourage when no hope

can be perceived, or to be spared from petty hassles. It may also be due to more

serious psychological problems such as delusional imaging or extreme vanity.

Here are some indications that are conveyed by people when lying:

 They speak in a high-pitched, fast-paced, stuttering voice.

 They are constantly swallowing and clearing their throat.

 They try their best to avoid having eye contact. This applies particularly

to people who want to avoid discussing a certain topic.

 They look somewhere else and glimpse from the corner of their eye.

 They stick their tongue out to moist their lips.

 They are blinking rapidly.

 They rub their throat.

 Their arms are crossed over the chest.

 They are constantly touching parts of their face, especially the mouth,

ear, and nose as if covering them.

 They scratch their head or the back of the neck.

 Their poses are closed, descending, and insecure.

 Their hands or feet are tapping.

 They always look down with shrugged shoulders.

 They are constantly moving from one place to another or changing

their poses.

 They are projecting parts of their body (feet) to an escape route

(door).

Don't Jump to Conclusions

Every person has a unique body language. Although silence usually

denotes that an individual is reserved and relaxed, some people keep their anger

within themselves and stay quiet. (This is very unhealthy because rage kept up

inside can explode furiously anytime, causing serious casualties). A wide open

mouth may indicate shock or astonishment for one person, while another person

who performs this gesture could just be concentrating intently on a task he’s

doing. Constantly touching the mouth may indicate lying, although the real

reason might just be that the mouth is itching. 

One way to overcome this dilemma is to watch out for other signals that

jive with the body language being exhibited. For example, you can confirm if a

person is really nervous if he exhibits many of the qualities of nervousness

described above. Judgment based on one or two gestures only may not be

accurate enough, although they can be dependable. Be aware of the body

language, but also combine your observations with the spoken words to get more

hints regarding the inner feelings of another. Use this power to your advantage.