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Here’s Exactly What You Should (and Shouldn’t) Do With Your Hands in an Interview

Updated 6/19/2020
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Your body language on job interviews matters. This Business Insider video explains how your hand signals can show if you're the right person for the position.

If you’ve never thought about your hands during an interview, chances are you’re pretty confident in yourself and your demeanor—and I applaud you.

But if you’re like me, and figuring out where to rest them while speaking to someone is (for some strange reason) a difficult decision, don’t fret—it’s actually a pretty important aspect of your body language. This part of your body can show sincerity, confidence, and trust, but can also display dominance, secrecy, or impatience, depending on how you present yourself. A.k.a., your hands can say a lot about who you are—and if you’re the right person for the job.

So really everyone should probably watch this Buisness Insider video because there’s a handful of signals you might be sending off just from the waist up.


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Previously an editor for The Muse, Alyse is proud to prove that yes, English majors can change the world. She’s written almost 500 articles for The Muse on anything from productivity tips to cover letters to bad bosses to cool career changers, many of which have been featured in Fast Company, Forbes, Inc., CNBC's Make It, USA Today College, Lifehacker, Mashable, and more. In addition to being an avid writer and reader, Alyse loves to dance, both professionally and while waiting for the subway. You can follow her work on her website, Twitter, or LinkedIn.

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Here’s Exactly What You Should (and Shouldn’t) Do With Your Hands in an Interview | The Muse | The Muse