Interview skills · lesson 6 of 24 · free

Non-verbal signals — Interview skills for students

People read your body before your words. Sitting up straight, a firm short handshake and a calm voice show confidence; biting your nails or shaking your leg shows nerves; leaning forward and nodding show interest; slumping and checking the clock show boredom. When your words and body disagree, people tend to believe the body — so make them match.

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Tip

Sit tall, look, smile — “upright posture, eyes on the speaker, calm hands, a natural smile”

  1. Confidence: sitting up straight, a firm and brief handshake, a calm steady voice, relaxed open hands.
  2. Nervousness: biting nails, shaking a leg, a shaky quiet voice, touching your face a lot. Interest: leaning forward a little, nodding, eyes on the speaker, a small warm smile. Boredom: yawning, slumping, checking the clock, a blank stare.
  3. In an interview: upright with feet flat, hands resting in your lap, eyes on the person asking. Nervous? Slow breaths, feet still.

Use it for: Interviews, presentations, meetings, group discussions and first days at a new place.

Worked example: 🧍 What does this signal usually show: biting your nails? → shows nervousness

  1. Biting nails is a common habit when someone feels anxious.
  2. So it usually shows nervousness.

Check: Try it: sit for a 1-minute mock interview in front of a mirror — upright, feet flat, hands in your lap, looking at “the interviewer” ✓

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✏️ Practice

Work it out in your head or on paper, type the answer and press Check. Stuck? Press “Show me how”.

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🏁 Lesson 6 test

20 questions. Check each answer, then go to the next one. Get 16 or more right to pass.

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🖨️ Communication Skills Worksheet: Non-Verbal Signals

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