Are You Trying to Improve Your English for Professional Purposes? Many people worldwide are adding English to their list of professional skills because it is the most widely used language in business.
However, a job interview in English—or any foreign language—can be an especially intimidating experience. Questions like “What if I make mistakes? What if I forget what to say? How can I handle the interview if my English isn’t perfect?” often pop into our minds as we prepare for the big day.
Job interviews are already stressful, and adding a second or even a third language into the mix creates the perfect storm for maximum stress—potentially impacting your performance!
So, how can you stay calm and make a great first impression in this critical interaction?
Experts say that first impressions are formed within the first 7 seconds of a meeting. Hundreds of non-verbal signals are subconsciously exchanged in just a few seconds, influencing our judgment—whether accurate or not.
Factors contributing to first impressions include clothing, tone of voice, facial expressions, hairstyle, the firmness of a handshake, walking style, and general posture.
These details reveal much about the person in front of us: their reliability, assertiveness, confidence, competence, motivation, kindness, intelligence, lifestyle, educational level, and other personal traits. Remarkably, all these details shape future relationships even before words come into play!
Some experts estimate that these first impressions and non-verbal signals are four times more important than what you actually say during a first meeting!
This is good news for those learning a new language! Now you know you can leave a positive impression on your future employer, despite any language mistakes you might make.
BUT HOW DO YOU MAKE AN IMMEDIATE POSITIVE IMPRESSION?
Try these tips to create the best possible first impression during your next interview—without saying a word:
Smile
When we smile, our facial expressions change completely. Smiling sends a warm signal of openness and kindness, making us approachable and friendly.
Maintain Eye Contact
A helpful trick: try guessing the eye color of the person you’re meeting. Eye contact conveys your personal “energy wave” and demonstrates sincerity and interest in the conversation.
Maintain Good Posture
Posture communicates two key things: status and power. To others, this translates as confidence and competence. Stand tall, with shoulders back and your head held high! Avoid slouching, looking down, or fiddling with your clothes, hair, or belongings.
Raise Your Eyebrows Slightly
But be careful not to overdo this highly effective technique! When making eye contact, slightly raising your eyebrows is perceived as a sign of recognition and familiarity.
Shake Hands
One of the oldest known non-verbal signals, the handshake remains a powerful way to build a connection with a new person. This socially accepted form of physical contact conveys energy and says a lot about your confidence.
Lean In Slightly
While listening and speaking with your interviewer, show interest and respect by maintaining about one meter of distance but leaning slightly forward during the conversation. This demonstrates attentiveness and signals that you are motivated and dynamic.
Adjust Your Attitude
Perhaps the most important of these seven non-verbal signals: people can sense your attitude faster than you can speak. Before entering the room or meeting someone for the first time, take a moment to be mindful of your attitude and make necessary adjustments. To achieve this, recall a time when you felt proud of yourself or succeeded in a project, then walk into the room with this memory fresh in your mind!
Mastering these non-verbal messages will help you make a great first impression during your next English job interview, overcoming language barriers in any situation!
Of course, improving your English skills and expressing yourself effectively can also be crucial for kickstarting your career. But if the employer sees a dynamic, intelligent, and trustworthy individual in front of them, they are more likely to overlook small mistakes!
What do you think—are first impressions always accurate?
What can you tell about a person within the first 7 seconds of meeting them?
Do you agree with experts that non-verbal signals matter more than words?
Share your thoughts with us—we’d love to hear about your experience learning English!