Subtle Things That Are Harming Your Interview Chances, According to Experts

Good news: You’ve got your application reviewed at your dream company. With your foot now in the door, the company wants to set up an in-person interview with you (yay!). You start preparing, making sure you know all the important things about a company, as well as common questions that come up in interviews. But some things – like knowing how much eye contact to make with an interviewer –can be a little harder to prepare for.

According to Undercover Recruiter, 33 percent of hiring managers will know in just 90 seconds if they want to hire you or not. And yes, while dressing appropriately, looking professional, and coming in prepared is important, so are subtle body language behaviors. For example, the same study revealed that 67 percent of hiring managers agree that the failure to make eye contact is a pretty common mistake.

Aside from eye contact, however, there are other subtle factors that can influence your interview performance. From fidgeting to hair-twirling, we spoke to experts to get some insight on what prospective employees should avoid during an interview.

A Weak Handshake

The first thing you do when you show up for an interview is also one of the most important. Research published in the Journal of Applied Psychology found that interviewees with firm handshakes were considered to be more hireable by those doing the interviewing, while those with limp handshakes were seen as “timid and less impressive,” according to the study.

To start the interview off on a good note, be sure to offer up a firm – not bone-crushing – handshake while making eye contact and offering up a smile.

Leaning Forward

Leaning forward too much (while sitting across from the interviewer’s desk) throughout the conversation can often go unnoticed by the job candidate, but it certainly stands out to potential employers.

While leaning forward once in a while can show your potential employer that you are engaged in the discussion, leaning forward too much may impact your overall interview performance, as there’s a chance you may be getting *too* close into the interviewer’s personal space. Career advice expert Amanda Augustine tells Business Insider:  “Remember, you want to indicate your interest, not invade the interviewer's space.”

Too Much Eye Contact

Eye contact is obviously key in building connections with anyone – especially your potential employer. However, be careful not to go too overboard with all the staring. Human behavior expert Steven Keyl shared tips on how to maintain the perfect eye contact balance in a job interview.

“Ideally, you should meet someone’s eyes ⅔ of the time and the rest of the time is spent scanning their face in the triangle formed between their eyes and their mouth,” Keyl says. What’s more, he recommends that if you follow his “two-thirds” rule, you’ll appear more engaged than the typical applicant, which is always a good thing.

Hiding Your Hands

You don’t have to keep your hands to your side or under the table when interviewing. In fact, this body language behavior can actually negatively impact your interview. "When you’re really nervous, you tend to want to hide your hands because they express your anxiety," body language expert Patti Wood tells Mashable.

Instead, mask your anxiety by using your hands to gesture while you respond to the interviewer’s questions. Moreover, hand gestures indicate that you’re invested and engaged in the conversation, and/or that want to place emphasis on a particular point.

Playing With Your Hair

Playing with your hair is more than just a nervous habit: It can actually be a deal-breaker when it comes to sealing your fate in an interview, too. “It’s a stress comfort cue that can make you look childish,” Wood tells Forbes.

Sometimes, you may not even realize you’re doing it and then all of a sudden, you find yourself over-twirling in the middle of an important interview. To avoid the chance of distracting your interviewer with your hair-twirling, try wearing your hair in a polished bun or sleek ponytail – both equally professional hairstyles to rock in the office.

Fidgeting With Your Jewelry

It’s easy to find yourself fidgeting with your ring/watch/necklace when you’re anxious (RE: during job interviews!). However, if you’re looking to kick the nervous habit, the solution is simple: Just avoid wearing them all together.

“If it’s not there, you won’t play with it. If you don’t play with it there’s no chance of distracting your interviewer, which will keep his attention where it should be: on your conversation,” public speaking expert Matt Eventoff tells Forbes.

Moral of the story: The ins and outs of body language are way more complex than just “don’t fidget.” To complete your interview prep, be sure to pay close attention to your own habits and address them before the big day. These might sound like small things, but you never know what could help your chances when you sit down for the interview.