Now that you know some of the uses and pitfalls of body language, how should you put them into action? Here is a look at one interview from two angles. The differences should be obvious to you as you read through both scenarios, but the important thing is to recognize yourself in either situation and strive to correct any body language that isn't helping you in the job market.

Kate Conquers

Kate has been pounding the pavement in search of her first post-college job. She's been granted an audience with the Human Resources director of the local hospital, and she's a little nervous. But at least she knows to dress appropriately — nothing too tight or too ill-fitting. Her shoes are polished. Her hair and nails are clean and neat, and she looks like a million bucks.

The interviewer calls Kate into his office and offers his hand. Kate takes it, shakes it four times (within the recommended three-to-five-pumps range), and sits up straight in the seat — but only after she's invited to do so. So far, so good.

While she's asked questions regarding her schooling and experience, she sits with her head slightly cocked to the side, her eyes wide open, her legs crossed at the knee but angled toward the interviewer. From time to time, she nods as the interviewer is speaking and smiles when she likes what she hears. When the interviewer leans forward in his chair, Kate leans slightly forward in hers. Her hands are loose in her lap; she's not fidgeting with them. She holds the interviewer's gaze for no more than five seconds before looking slightly off to the side of his head or dropping her eyes for a moment before making eye contact again. (Chapter 7 contains more information on eye contact.)

All in all, she's done some good work here. She came across as cool, calm, and collected with her body language. Hopefully, she had some intelligent things to say, as her body of knowledge will have quite a bit of bearing as to whether she gets this job or not.

Kiss This Job Goodbye, Kate

Let's say Kate was in a mood on the day of the interview. She decided she didn't want this job but she felt as though she should go for the experience, so off she went, still dressed nicely enough, but without the will to land the position.

She walks into the interviewer's office and lightly touches his hand, pumping it once before seating herself. She leans too far back in the chair, stretching her legs out in front of her. She concentrates on the pattern in the rug, looking up at the interviewer only when she's asked a question, and even then her eye contact is fleeting. She doesn't smile. She has her arms crossed over her chest. The interviewer knows she doesn't want this job and resents having to interview her. Kate's wasted her own time as well as the Human Resource director's.

You Can Do Better Than That!

The differences in the two situations are fairly easy to spot. In the first interview, Kate's shown that she's confident and an engaged listener. In the second interview, she didn't make eye contact, she slouched in her chair, she gave a lousy handshake. She came off looking unprofessional, unengaged, and not at all interested in working for this company.

Good interviewing body language doesn't come easily to everyone, but learning it is well worth the effort. If you're completely opposed to using your smile to get ahead in life, try to think of this as a game that everyone else is playing. Sure, you can refuse to join in, but somewhere, sometime, you're going to get left behind. (And then someone else will be sitting at your desk, earning your paycheck.)