4. Pay attention to your behavior and your interactions

 PART 4

The personal presentation is above all a story... Of people. It is therefore crucial to make an excellent first impression, and this depends both on the content of your speech and on your behavior itself. So this is a point that should not be ignored.

The importance of body language

Body language is as important as the words we speak, because without us being aware of it, our body sends many signals to our interlocutor. Therefore, it is crucial to keep our posture to a minimum and make sure that we convey positive messages during an interview.

First, make sure you are standing up straight and your feet are apartment on the floor. Whenever possible, your hands should be visible, preferably open. Avoid pointing your finger at your interviewer, as this could be interpreted as an attack. Also, if possible, avoid any nervous tic that might transmit your nervousness to your interviewer.

Seek eye contact, but avoid too long a contact, which makes some people uncomfortable, and do not hesitate to smile when appropriate.

Find the happy medium between arrogance and modesty

Your personal appearance must strike the right tone, avoiding arrogance and excessive modesty. If there is one time when you need to know how to present yourself, it is at the interview. But it's also not about showing off or demonstrating that you are the best at all costs. Stay realistic without underestimating your successes or exaggerating them.

Avoid statements like "Without bragging..." or "I do not want to sound arrogant/coarse/inappropriate, but..." which have the exact opposite effect. You will never make a better impression than when you are completely yourself, honestly.

Adopt “small-talking”

You can begin the interview by practicing "small talk," the art of making light and entertaining conversation; it is also called the art of schmoozing. Like any life skill, small talk requires a little practice.

To break the ice, favor open-ended questions that require a more complex answer than "yes" or "no" and encourage dialog. Choose your topics carefully and avoid potentially controversial topics such as politics, money, religion, rumors, etc.

Be careful, the art of conversation is also about listening! Pay attention to your conversation partner's words, but also to their gestures and body language: if you see them repeatedly looking at their watch, it's a sign that it's time to end the small talk. This art is practiced everywhere, so do not hesitate to prepare for your interview. It's up to you to make the best impression possible!