Did you know that it takes us only seven seconds to form an impression about somebody? Which means, unnervingly enough, the reverse is also true. The moot point is this - you've got very little time to impress all those on the interview panel at your dream company.

As the saying goes, actions speak louder than words and this is especially true of interviews. Most interviewers use body language to assess a candidate's inclination and employability.

Research by Albert Mehrabian, professor emeritus of Psychology at the University of California in Los Angeles, US, states that the relative impact of body language, tone of voice and words you speak is 55 per cent, 38 per cent and 7 per cent, respectively. This is also known as the 7%-38%-55% Rule.

Now that you know how important body language is, here are a few tips.

Posture

Hold yourself ram-rod straight when you walk, it indicates confidence. Sit with your shoulders back and your back straight. Bend your knees at a right angle to the floor, keeping your feet flat. Do not lean back; lean forward. It makes you look more attentive and interested. Nod at the appropriate times. Do not cross your arms or legs.

"While hiring, we look for people who show passion and curiosity through non-verbal gestures such as eye contact, attentive hearing, confidence and assertiveness. These people prove to be good leaders. Companies love to hire those who are honest towards their work and life," says Sangita Bose, HR executive, LexiConn Content Services, a content writing agency with offices in Mumbai and Calcutta.

According to a 2012 study by Amy J. C. Cuddy, Caroline A. Wilmuth and Dana R. Carney at Harvard Business School - The Benefit of Power Posing Before a High-Stakes Social Evaluation - striking a "power pose" (an expansive posture with open limbs) raises testosterone levels by 20 per cent and lowers cortisol (the stress hormone). Adopting this pose for two minutes before an interview can make you more confident and improve performance.

Expression

It is apparently important for men to maintain eye contact with the interviewer but not nod, research states. Nodding is seen as positive in women. Eye contact conveys that you are trustworthy. It can also make you seem reliable, honest and confident. If a panel is interviewing you, look at each member briefly but directly, before returning your gaze to the person who has asked you a question.

Look interested but do not blink less - that may lead the interviewer to deduce that you are lying. Remember to smile when appropriate.

"At my first interview, I kept in mind three things - smile, maintain eye contact and don't slouch," says Kurchi Singharoy, an account strategist at Ittisa Digital, a digital marketing company in Calcutta. "My interviewer told me that I bagged the job because I have a pleasing personality."

Hand movements

Work on your handshake. A weak, limp handshake will tell the interviewer that you may not have the ability to deal with confrontation. If your handshake is too strong, it means you may not be a good listener or have a democratic approach. The happy medium is a firm but not hard grip that covers the interviewer's hand completely. Remember to use your right hand even if you are left-handed and make sure your hands are not sweaty.

If you don't know what to do with your hands during the interview, place them on the table or on the arm rest - anywhere in plain view. Keeping your hands hidden can be read as distrustful. Try not to touch your face too often, especially your nose. It is one of the biggest indications that a person is not telling the truth. Often, people will instinctively cover parts such as their abdomen or throat, when lying.

"I tend to use subtle hand gestures while giving interviews to keep myself from being distracted or fumbling," says Rumaan Rashid, intern with Medlife, an online pharmacy.

Tone of voice

Researchers from the universities of Glasgow, Scotland and Princeton, US, found that people take less than a second to form an impression about someone's personality based on their voice. Experts say a lower pitch makes you sound more authoritative. This can be hard to achieve when you are nervous. To have better voice quality, breathe deeply to stay calm. Don't talk too fast. Enunciate your words clearly.

"A candidate with a firm voice, clear diction and proper communication skills has a higher chance of selection," says Jayeeta Sen, assistant manager HR, ERM Placement Services, a Calcutta-based consulting company.

Mirroring

Postural echo or mirroring is reflecting each other's posture. It can show empathy and agreement. If you're able to subtly copy your interviewer's body language, you'll find it much easier to communicate. Just be careful to not overdo it - that would make the other person uncomfortable.

DON’T

• Fidget with your hair or pen
• Overdo the cologne or perfume
• Keep looking at your watch
• Use your phone, even if the interviewer is busy 
• Be overfriendly with the interviewer