Interview Resource - Keller ISD Schools

INTERVIEW RESOURCE | 11
Gesture with your whole body—watch your friends as they talk to you. No one moves just a
hand while saying something. People incline their entire bodies, twist their shoulders, lift
eyebrows, nod and shake their heads, and tilt their faces (the degree to which they do this varies
from culture to culture). Just don’t sway back and forth or tremble. Anything else is fair game.
Swoops and circular motions are better than linear movements—as a general rule, avoid
drawing jagged lines and diagonals with your hands. Try to roll them forward instead of jutting
them. Picture an invisible orb around which your hands are unfolding, and always remember
that curves look graceful instead of abrupt.
Think about what your gestures draw attention to—This seems silly, but watch what you’re
doing with those hands. Video is a huge help here. If your gestures are too low—below about
elbow level—judges will be looking there instead of at your face. This leads to them not paying
as much attention to what you’re saying. In general, unless you are making a specific point, bring
your gestures up just a little, as long as it still looks natural.
Don’t underestimate the shrug and rolled eyes—shrugs and eye-rolls are wonderful, casual
whole-body gestures which can be made to look alert, inquisitive and light-hearted. But only at
the appropriate moments—don’t use them in a way that makes it look like you’re dismissing
something important.
Relax—you shouldn’t be gesturing actively from beginning to end. Let your instincts guide you.
Sometimes, for dramatic impact, just clasp your hands and speak. Don’t think that you need to
put on some kind of interpretive dance; just be yourself and gesture the amount you would in
any other conversation. Anything else will look forced.