Body Language, Nerves, and First Impressions

The intellectual preparation for university interviews — thinking out loud, structuring answers, handling difficult questions — is the most important part. But interviews do not happen in a vacuum. They happen in a room, with a real person, and your physical presence, body language, and emotional state all play a role.

This lesson covers the practical, physical side of interview preparation: managing your nerves, making a positive impression, and ensuring that your body language supports rather than undermines the quality of your thinking.

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What Interviewers Notice (And What They Don't)

Let us start with a reassuring truth: interviewers are primarily focused on what you say, not how you look. They are academics, not casting directors. They are listening to your reasoning, not evaluating your outfit or judging your hairstyle.

That said, certain aspects of your physical presentation can affect how easily they can engage with you:

Things That Help