1.3 Body language

In Knight’s top tips at the beginning of Section 1, she spoke about sitting up straight and walking with your chest held high. Not only will this make you look more confident, it will make you feel that way too. Try sitting up straighter now – do you feel more professional and confident now?

When trying to create a good first impression, other body language cues that it can be useful to be aware of include:

• crossed arms and legs – these present a physical barrier and can indicate that you are resistant to the other person’s ideas or that you are feeling insecure or defensive; avoiding this type of body language will help to show that you are interested in the conversation you are having
• posture – slouching in your seat will suggest boredom or a lack of confidence, whereas leaning in towards someone (not too close!) can demonstrate an interest in what they are saying
• gestures – waving your arms around can be distracting for the other person but using your hands to stress specific points can add impact to what you are saying.