Body language
How you sit and look matters less than you think. These small things help you seem calm and friendly. Do what feels natural for you.
In person
Say hello
Smile, say their name if you know it, and offer a handshake if they offer one. A nod or a wave is fine too.
Sit up, lean in a little
Sit back in the chair with both feet on the floor. Leaning slightly forward shows you're interested.
Look at them, on and off
Look at their face while they talk, and look away naturally while you think. If eye contact is hard for you, looking at their eyebrows or nose works just as well.
Keep your hands easy
Rest them on the table or your lap. Using them a little while you talk is natural. If they shake, holding a pen can help.
Smile when it fits
At the start, the end, and when you talk about something you enjoyed. You don't need to smile the whole time.
Dress one step smarter
Wear something clean and a little smarter than people wear in that job every day. Comfortable matters too.
Video interviews
Practise with Camera check in the answer box to see how you look on screen.
Camera at eye level
Put your laptop or phone on some books so the camera is level with your eyes, not looking up at you.
Light in front of you
Face a window or a lamp. A bright window behind you turns you into a shadow.
Look at the lens
When you speak, look at the camera, not at their face on the screen. That's what looks like eye contact to them.
Quiet and clear
Find a quiet spot. Headphones with a microphone make you easier to hear. Mute notifications first.
Test it 10 minutes before
Open the link early, check the camera and sound, and close other apps. If the call drops, rejoin calmly and carry on.