Use hand gestures to communicate
Posted: Sun Jan 19, 2025 9:24 am
How you use your hands during your interview may say more about you than you realise. One simple point to pay attention to is the position of your palms - keeping your palms facing up or down can convey two very different messages.
An open palm facing to the sky is often seen as a very honest and open gesture. It shows that you’re a trustworthy and reliable person, and can encourage the listener to be more accepting of what you have to say. Be sure you keep the shoulders relaxed and neutral – shrugging your shoulders with palms open can make you look weak and resigned.
If someone is speaking to you with downward facing palms, then you may probably already feel that the conversation is about to get tough.
Having your palms facing down indicates a position of dominance and firmness. It shows that georgia phone number library you’re not going to be easily moved from your position.
Cultural differences
Not all cultures interpret hand gestures in the same way – if you’re having an interview in another country, it’s a good idea to familiarise yourself with differences across various parts of the world.
For instance, a thumbs up position might seem like the universal sign to show your approval. But in many Asian countries, it can be a seriously offensive gesture to make. And while thumbs down is generally accepted as a negative gesture, in some countries it can be an extreme way to show your disapproval of something, as it can be interpreted as a highly rude and arrogant move.
An open palm facing to the sky is often seen as a very honest and open gesture. It shows that you’re a trustworthy and reliable person, and can encourage the listener to be more accepting of what you have to say. Be sure you keep the shoulders relaxed and neutral – shrugging your shoulders with palms open can make you look weak and resigned.
If someone is speaking to you with downward facing palms, then you may probably already feel that the conversation is about to get tough.
Having your palms facing down indicates a position of dominance and firmness. It shows that georgia phone number library you’re not going to be easily moved from your position.
Cultural differences
Not all cultures interpret hand gestures in the same way – if you’re having an interview in another country, it’s a good idea to familiarise yourself with differences across various parts of the world.
For instance, a thumbs up position might seem like the universal sign to show your approval. But in many Asian countries, it can be a seriously offensive gesture to make. And while thumbs down is generally accepted as a negative gesture, in some countries it can be an extreme way to show your disapproval of something, as it can be interpreted as a highly rude and arrogant move.