Cheeky Logo
Ready To Get Hired?
Apply To Book A Free Call With Our Transition Specialist Team

Is Your Body Language Costing You The Job?

I ran into an old colleague a few days ago – literally.

We actually collided going into the same coffee shop. 

As luck would have it, we both had some time to kill, so we took a seat and started visiting.

I told him all about the work I do, connecting PhDs with the strategies to get hired in industry. 

He’d since gone on to work in human resources as a manager at one of the Global 500.

We talked about things we wish we’d known after graduation – the importance of things like networking and creating a powerful resume for industry.

“You must talk a lot about body language in your methodology, right?” he asked.

I thought about it. 

“I’ve touched on it, definitely,” I told him. “What do you mean, exactly?”

My old colleague, it turns out, is passionate about educating others on the impact their body language has on others’ perceptions of them.

He explained that, working in talent management, he’d become something of a human lie detector with the help of body language analysis. 

“When I first started out,” he explained, “my major litmus for what makes a good candidate was who came prepared.”

“But now, in my tenth year in HR, I know that job interviews are a little like playing poker: everyone has tells.”

“Their hands, their eyes, their posture – it’s all part of the performance. People show how much they believe in their own answers through eye contact, posture, and hand gestures.”

I kept thinking about what he’d said after we shook hands and parted ways. 

And the more I thought about it, the more I realized that body language is a part of the job interview process that we don’t talk about enough.

Body Language Says What Words Won’t

Many PhDs understand the importance of preparing what they are going to say in networking and interview situations.

But no matter how much research you do about the company or how much you practice giving great answers, it won’t count for anything if you’re coming across as unlikable.

Subtle body positioning, the way you move and gestures you make unconsciously can cast even the most qualified candidate in an unflattering light.

Psychologist Albert Mehrabian’s communication theory reveals that the success of an in-person interview breaks down to 55% body language…

…38% paralanguage or intonation (things like sighing or pauses between answers)…

…and a mere 7% verbal communication.

This means that the actual words you say account for 7% of your likability. Meanwhile, 55% of your credibility is determined by body language.

Your appearance, facial expressions and hand gestures all work in tandem to paint a picture of you. 

The effects of nonverbal communication extend beyond what others think of you.

There’s also a direct correlation between how you express yourself nonverbally and how much confidence you have in yourself.

A report by Forbes, for instance, demonstrated that people who have good posture and sit up straight don’t just project more confidence, but actually feel more confident.

Focus On Controlling These 5 Elements Of Your Body Language

You may have already known that body language gives others clues about who you are, how they can expect you to act and your emotional state. 

But did you know that this happens on both a conscious and a subconscious level?

Experts estimate that the average person’s behavioral vocabulary consists of about 138,000 nonverbal and visual cues. 

Those same specialists estimate that we can only control about 150 to 200 of those expressions – and we can only do that about 15 to 20% of the time.

And most people are completely unaware of these small habits.

They don’t know that their stride comes across as arrogant or that they restlessly tousle their hair.

I have been told on more than one occasion, for example, that I look angry or annoyed when I am expressionless. 

I would have no idea if someone hadn’t told me. 

So how do you take control of the messages you’re sending with your body language? 

How can you even know which of your thousands of nonverbal cues you’re using and when?

Practice.

Practice makes perfect. 

It might feel remedial, but make no mistake – a job interview is a performance. 

It’s theater, not an oral book report; you need to rehearse to get it right.

To refine your delivery and determine where your hangups lie, you’ll need to either film yourself answering questions or ask a friend to conduct a mock interview with you.

That’s the best place to start. 

Knowing what areas you need to improve on is absolutely key to mastering how you present yourself.

With a little self-awareness and enough rehearsals, your body language will back up what you’re saying, not contradict it.

Before you put your body language under a microscope, let’s review five of the most common nonverbal missteps that can derail an otherwise stellar interview.

Experts say that we have more control of our body language above the waist, so we’ll start there.

1. Eye Contact

Eye contact is important in any social situation, but it’s essential to a successful interview. 

Maintaining eye contact shows the recruiter that you are engaged, and it also helps you establish a connection with them. 

It also conveys your level of confidence and demonstrates that you are not easily intimidated.

Avoiding eye contact is just as powerful. 

If you look down, it’s likely to make you seem untruthful or give the impression that you’re generally insecure.

Glancing around, according to body language experts, signals a lack of interest. 

To strike a balance between looking away too often and flat-out staring, you should try your best to mirror your interviewer’s level of eye contact.

If there’s more than one interviewer, you want to divide your eye contact between them. Obviously look at the person speaking, but spread your eye contact out to include anyone else sitting in once you begin answering their questions.

2. Facial Expressions

There’s no better way to publicize what you really mean than a passing expression that you didn’t mean to cast.

Mirroring is a less effective tactic when it comes to facial expressions, so as a rule you want to focus on conveying a friendly, approachable attitude with yours.

Your nonverbal communication comes into play starting with your face. 

Smiling, of course, is the most common suggestion body language experts give to help put others at ease. 

A genuine smile will set a tone of gratitude for being invited to an interview and excitement to be there, all without ever having to say so. 

Nodding in agreement can show that you are listening or simply understand what was just said – perfect for situations where you’re just listening to facts about the company and the position.

You can also use facial expressions to show you are actively listening. Tilting your head to the side suggests you are processing what’s being said. 

Raising your eyebrows implies interest or conveys that you’re impressed. 

Obviously, you’ll want to avoid negative facial expressions. This includes things like frowning, furrowing your eyebrows, chewing the inside of your cheek or biting your lip.

These behaviors give the impression that you are stressed, upset or trying to self-soothe. 

They don’t give the impression of a calm, cool-under-pressure employee who can’t wait to start work.

Laughter in an interview is a double-edged sword. On the one hand, if your interviewer is cracking jokes, it’s great to share in their mirth.

But sometimes nervous laughter can get the better of us. 

If you find yourself laughing frequently, you may be trying to force the good feelings that you associate with laughter onto your interview. 

Try to bring your focus back to the moment. Let your laughter settle into a smile and focus on being attentive, not jovial. Nod, tilt your head, and allow the situation to reset itself.

3. Posture

It can be easy, when you’re considering the nonverbal cues you’re sending, to assume that your posture is the one thing you don’t need to worry about.

After all, it’s literally standing and sitting. How can you screw that up? 

But according to a survey shared on TopResume, 33% of hiring managers had weeded out a candidates based on the way they carried themselves.

After years of working at a bench or sitting and writing at a desk, PhDs often have poor posture.

This is definitely to your detriment. 

When you slouch, you give the impression that you lack confidence in yourself and your abilities.

But, as a PhD, you are highly skilled. You have many advantages over other job candidates.

Do not let your body language suggest otherwise.

When you take a seat, sit up straight with shoulders relaxed, down, and pulled back. Your chest should protrude just slightly.

Wait for the interviewer to invite you to take a seat, and then sit all the way against the back of the chair. This should help you keep proper posture throughout the interview. 

You also want to lean forward slightly, even if your interview is not in-person. Leaning in when you’re listening or responding to a question demonstrates your interest and engagement. 

Take care not to lean back or to one side – this indicates you are being flippant or feel bored. 

Avoid crossing your legs at the knee – this can come across as uptight or defensive. Also, don’t rest one ankle atop the opposite knee – this posture is a little too casual.

Keep both feet on the ground, and avoid bouncing your leg – it can be incredibly distracting and many interpret this as a sign of anxiety.

4. Handshake

If the culture condones it, a handshake is appropriate for most in-person interviews. 

It’s a respectful greeting, and it is expected in a first meeting.

Your firm, 2- to 3-second handshake should be accompanied by a genuine smile and eye contact along with a verbal greeting such as, “It’s so nice to meet you.”

Before you shake someone’s hand, do a sweat check – are your palms greasy or moist? Be sure to wipe them first. 

Pro tip: A glass of cold water before the interview can help lower your body temperature and keep you from overheating and risking a damp grip.

Do not try and grip too hard – this is perceived as aggressive and can start your interview off on the wrong foot. 

But don’t be too floppy either. A withering handshake sends a message that you are timid and will crumble under pressure.

A third handshake faux paus is the fingers-only variety. This usually happens by mistake, but can be awkward for both parties. Avoid this by making sure the webbed part of your hand (between your thumb and forefinger) is touching your interviewer’s hand before you begin to close it.

Double-handed handshakes are too familiar – reserve these for good friends. 

And a fifth handshake fail is the downward palm. Extending your hand faced down forces your interviewer to meet your grasp with palm up – a gesture of supplication or submission. This is considered an aggressive gesture – don’t do it!

3. Fidgeting And Hand Gestures

During an interview, or while networking in person, make sure you have full, conscious control over your hands and feet. 

You don’t want to be stiff and robotic, but you do want to make sure your gestures are natural and controlled.

Your goal is to communicate that you are open, calm and confident using your body language.

But you can’t do that if you’re fidgeting. Fidgeting sends an unmistakable message – this person is nervous and has problems with self-control. 

Do not touch your face, rub your neck, bite your lip, clean your ears, or play with your hair. 

These distracting movements give the impression that you are insecure, easily distracted and have trouble concentrating.

There are a few things you can do if you already know this is going to be a struggle for you.

One way to prevent yourself from fidgeting is to fold your hands in your lap. You can also place one forearm atop the arm of the chair (if there is one), or on the table.

However, avoid folding your arms across your chest – this is a sign of hostility.

Showcase Competence By Controlling Your Tics And Mannerisms

Hiring managers conduct interviews to filter out candidates who come across as awkward in person. 

Negative differentiators like poor body language will make you an easy target.

That’s why, if you want to stand out above the 250+ candidates that apply for any given position, you need to take control of your body language.

For many of us, that means suppressing nervous tics and bad habits.

That might sound easier said than done – after all, interviews can be absolutely nerve-wracking. 

You can rest assured that the person interviewing you knows this is a stressful experience.

They know you’re on edge. 

They’re going to cut you a little slack.

But with so much on the line, it can’t be overstated that what you do can raise a red flag to employers. 

Keeping your bad habits in check, at least during your interview, is the key to demonstrating your competence and composure. 

Concluding Remarks

Your body language can tell those around you so much about what kind of person you are. It speaks to your confidence, your personality and your attitude as well as how you feel about others and the things they say. If you’re serious about a career in industry, I seriously encourage you to spend some time familiarizing yourself with your own body language. You don’t know what you don’t know, and it will take some time to recognize your areas of opportunity. Practice with a friend, record yourself or try out a mock interview tool. It can take work, and it might even feel a little ridiculous, but practice really is the best thing you can do to pinpoint what you, specifically, can do to put your best foot forward. Keeping your facial expressions, eye contact, handshake, posture and nervous tics under control will ensure you’re remembered for your strong presence and confidence during your next interview.

If you’re ready to start your transition into industry, you can apply to book a free Transition Call with our founder Isaiah Hankel, PhD or one of our Transition Specialists. Apply to book a Transition Call here.

Book a Transition Call
Get Free Job Search Content Weekly

ABOUT ISAIAH HANKEL, PHD

CEO, CHEEKY SCIENTIST & SUCCESS MENTOR TO PHDS

Dr. Isaiah Hankel is the Founder and CEO of Cheeky Scientist. His articles, podcasts and trainings are consumed annually by millions of PhDs and other professionals in hundreds of different countries. He has helped PhDs transition into top companies like Amazon, Google, Apple, Intel, Dow Chemical, BASF, Merck, Genentech, Home Depot, Nestle, Hilton, SpaceX, Tesla, Syngenta, the CDC, UN and Ford Foundation.

Dr. Hankel has published 3X bestselling books and his latest book, The Power of a PhD, debuted on the Barnes & Noble bestseller list. His methods for getting PhDs hired have been featured in the Harvard Business Review, Nature, Forbes, The Guardian, Fast Company, Entrepreneur Magazine and Success Magazine.

Isaiah Hankel, PhD

Here's What Others Are Saying

"I'm excited to share that I'm starting a new position as Senior Filed Application Scientist at NanoString Technologies, Inc.!"

Alex Woychek

Alex Woychek

Senior Field Application Scientist

at NanoString Technologies, Inc.

"I'm happy to share that I'm starting a new position as Clinical Scientist at Arvinas!"

Ana Luiza C. Zaninotto

Ana Luiza C. Zaninotto

Clinical Scientist

at Arvinas

"I am happy to share that I'm starting a new position as a European Portfolio Manager at Scientific Instruments!"

 Shikha Acharya

Shikha Acharya

European Portfolio Manager

at Scientific Instruments

"I am happy to share I started a new job as a senior research scientist in medicinal chemistry at x-chem Montreal."

Nicolas Wlodarczyk

Nicolas Wlodarczyk

Nicolas Wlodarczyk Senior Research Scientist

at X-Chem

"I landed a dream job as a revenue management analyst at british airways."

James Washak

James Washak

Revenue Management Analyst

at British Airways

"Good news...I've secured a job! Thank you for your support during the job search process and for giving me the courage to transition from academia to industry."

Marlyn Brookins

Marlyn Brookins

Regulatory Submissions Coordinator

"I'm happy to share that I'm starting a new position as Senior Actuary, Pricing at HDI Seguros!"

Claudia Wehrhahn

Claudia Wehrhahn

Senior Actuary, Pricing

at HDI Seguros

"Hi Isaiah - I just want to inform you that I've accepted a job offer from Sandoz, Inc. I want to say a special thank you to you and your dedicated staff for all your help and support throughout the job search stage."

Odeniel Sertil

Odeniel Sertil

Manager, Regulatory Affairs Biosimilars

at Sandoz, Inc.

"I am happy to share I am starting a new position!"

Mary Hidde

Mary Hidde

Clinical trial manager

at Medspace

"I just accepted an offer to be a Clinical Researcher Coordinator for a pain clinic near me. I'll be helping them run their clinical trial that uses a device to stimulate nerves to relieve patients pain. I start next Wednesday. So excited! I wanted to say thanks to Isaiah and all the members of the Cheeky team for your help! I really appreciate it!"

Natasha Fowler

Natasha Fowler

Clinical Research Coordinator

at Columbia Pain Management, P.C

"I'm happy to share that I’m starting a new position as an associate computational scientist at md anderson cancer center!"

James Jennings

James Jennings

Associate Computation Scientist

at MD Anderson Cancer Center

"Thank you so much for all the help. I got so much help and inspiration by joining Cheeky!"

Hasala Lokupitiya

Hasala Lokupitiya

Senior Polymer Scientist

at Lyten

"Thank you for the assistance from the CSA these last couple of months. I was offered the position with a life science investment firm this week and I happily accepted the offer. Growth with the company is guaranteed and I hope that this will be the last time I have to interview in NYC (lol)."

Ilke Roelofse

Ilke Roelofse

"I am happy to share I am starting a new position as Principal Fatigue Specialist at Qantas!"

Gemma Paech

Gemma Paech

Principal Fatigue specialist

at Qantas

"I signed with ASML for 117k! (asked for 120 and they came up from 110) plus a 10% target annual bonus."

Andrew Dawes, PhD

Andrew Dawes, PhD

Senior Applications Engineer

at ASML

Similar Articles

5 Interview Questions PhDs Always Get (and 5 Questions They Should Ask Employers)

5 Interview Questions PhDs Always Get (and 5 Questions They Should Ask Employers)

By: Isaiah Hankel, PhD

By the time I started my industry job search, I was desperate. I was nearing the end of my PhD and my proverbial plate had never felt so full. Between final experiments, last drafts, and defense presentations, I had dedicated virtually no time to my job search. The little effort and time I was able put into it felt very arbitrary and unfocused I wasn’t even sure what job I wanted. All I knew was that I needed a job – and fast. Needless to say, when I finally did find myself seated in front of a hiring manager, I…

How PhDs Can Avoid The Overqualified Label To Get Hired

How PhDs Can Avoid The Overqualified Label To Get Hired

By: Isaiah Hankel, PhD

“We regret to inform you that we will not be moving forward with your application due to concerns that your qualifications exceed those required for the role.  We feel it would not be a good fit. Thank you for applying.”  Oof, that’s part of a rejection email a PhD sent me. An employer had sent it to them after the first interview.  Another PhD told me this recently… “I feel like I’m both overqualified and underqualified for the jobs I apply to Isaiah.”  Which do you feel is more of a problem for you? I asked.  “At first I thought…

How To Answer “Why Are You Leaving Academia?” (& 4 Scientific Ways To Convince Employers To Hire You) 

How To Answer “Why Are You Leaving Academia?” (& 4 Scientific Ways To Convince Employers To Hire You) 

By: Isaiah Hankel, PhD

“‘Why do you want to work here more than anywhere else? And why are you leaving academia?’ Those are the questions I got stuck on, Isaiah.  I told them why I liked their company, mainly because it was aligned with my values, but I also wanted to be fair and ethical so I told them that I was considering other companies. Then I explained that academia was no longer a good fit because I wanted to do more than write grants all day.”  “Okay, I replied, anything else? What did you say after that?” “I asked them a few clarifying…

Should You Apply To More Than One Job At A Company? (& 3 Other Tough Job Search Questions Answered)

Should You Apply To More Than One Job At A Company? (& 3 Other Tough Job Search Questions Answered)

By: Isaiah Hankel, PhD

“Isaiah, I applied to ThermoFisher two weeks ago and a hiring manager got in touch with me and I had my first interview…. But then a second hiring manager reached out to me about another job I applied to there.  I started talking to this second manager and they asked if I applied to any other positions there.  I couldn’t lie so I told them about the other job and the other hiring manager.  Now, neither of the hiring managers will get back to me.  What should I do?”  This is what a PhD told me over the phone last…

How LinkedIn Ranks Job Seekers With PhDs, EdDs & Other Degrees

How LinkedIn Ranks Job Seekers With PhDs, EdDs & Other Degrees

By: Isaiah Hankel, PhD

“Be real Isaiah, there’s not a government bureau keeping track of how our resumes perform.”  This is what a frustrated job seeker said to me recently.  “What do you mean I have a reputation score?” they asked.  “Of course there’s not a bureau dedicated to this, at least not yet” I said.  “But you absolutely are being scored and ranked” I went on, “and your ranking is used to indicate how reputable you are as a job seeker.”  This is what I’ve explained to countless people looking for a job in today’s job market, most of whom were getting initial…

How The Academic PhD Job Market Was Destroyed

How The Academic PhD Job Market Was Destroyed

By: Isaiah Hankel, PhD

“I spent over a year looking for a job in academia and flew to multiple interviews. I didn’t get one offer.” A PhD told me this recently and many other PhDs have told me similar stories.  Of course, the stories involve more than just looking for a job for a year.  They involve living on a meager academic budget, trying to support themselves and their families, often in very expensive cities where many of the biggest universities are located.  They involve decisions to never go on a vacation, to feed their kids cheaper, less healthy food, and to work all…

Give Yourself The Gift Of Leaving Academia Forever

Give Yourself The Gift Of Leaving Academia Forever

By: Isaiah Hankel, PhD

My last year in academia, I didn’t have enough money to fly home for Christmas. So I spent it in Iowa City, mostly alone.  I was broke (of course) so I decided to shovel snow out of driveways for $10 per driveway. I remember thinking how ridiculous it was to be a PhD shoveling snow for money. “What I wouldn’t give to have a better job”, I thought.  That was the gift I wanted for Christmas and the holidays.  A better job.  Not to be a student or a postdoc or an academic PhD getting paid less than I was…

The Ideal Keyword Density For Targeting Your PhD Resume To An Industry Job Posting

The Ideal Keyword Density For Targeting Your PhD Resume To An Industry Job Posting

By: Isaiah Hankel, PhD

Writing a resume for an industry job is one of the biggest sticking points I see with PhDs entering the job market.  What worked even a year ago is not working today due to recent and rapidly accelerating advances in Applicant Tracking Systems.  These systems, called ATS or just AI today, are software tools used by companies to filter resumes.  They scan for specific keywords related to the job role, abilities, credentials, and qualities desired in a candidate.  As a PhD seeking very competitive roles, including relevant keywords in your resume is essential to pass through these systems and get…

AI Is Replacing Recruiters. Here’s How PhD Job Seekers Should Adapt

AI Is Replacing Recruiters. Here’s How PhD Job Seekers Should Adapt

By: Isaiah Hankel, PhD

“I had a recruiter reach out to me, Isaiah, and after I gave them my resume and answered their questions, they never got back to me. What should I do?”  I hear this a lot.  I also hear, “Isaiah, I was on the phone with a recruiter and as soon as they heard that I needed a visa, they hung up” …”or as soon as they heard I had no industry experience, they hung up.”  Man, I personally hate this. What a waste of time. The recruitment industry is broken.  The good news is its being devoured by Artificial Intelligence,…

Our Members Get Hired At Top Industry Companies

Top Industry Career eBooks

63 Best Industry Positions For PhDs

63 Best Industry Positions For PhDs

Isaiah Hankel, PhD & Arunodoy Sur, PhD

Learn about the best 63 industry careers for PhDs (regardless of your academic background). In this eBook, you will gain insight into the most popular, highest-paying jobs for PhDs – all of which will allow you to do meaningful work AND get paid well for it.

Industry Resume Guide for PhDs

Industry Resume Guide for PhDs

Isaiah Hankel, PhD

Learn how to craft the perfect industry resume to attract employers. In this eBook for PhDs, you will get access to proven resume templates, learn how to structure your bullet points, and discover which keywords industry employers want to see most on PhD resumes.

AI & ATS Resume Filters

AI & ATS Resume Filters

Isaiah Hankel

In today's competitive job market, understanding the impact of AI is crucial for career success. This involves ensuring your resume stands out in the digital realm, mastering your online presence, and being aware of how AI assigns reputation scores. Discovering how to leverage AI to your advantage is essential, as it plays a pivotal role in shaping professional opportunities.

Complete LinkedIn Guide For PhDs

Complete LinkedIn Guide For PhDs

Isaiah Hankel

The LinkedIn tips & strategies within have helped PhDs from every background get hired into top industry careers.