Body Language Mistakes That Make You Look Unserious, Weak, or Easy to Manipulate
I learned this the hard way.
It was my first ever job interview as a fresh graduate. I entered the room and the hiring manager looked at me like I didn’t belong there. She glanced at my resume and nodded politely, but I could tell something was off.
After 20 minutes of awkward exchanges, she leaned forward and said, “Thank you for your time. We’ll be in touch.” I never got the job.
I replayed that moment in my head a hundred times. My answers were solid. My credentials were good. So why did I feel like I’d flunked the audition? Then it hit me: my body language.
I’d fidgeted like a kid waiting for recess. My eye contact was shaky, my shoulders slouched, and I didn’t own my space. Without saying a word, I had told her, “I don’t belong here.”
Most of us think communication is about what we say. The truth is that how you carry yourself often speaks louder than your words.
If your body language doesn’t match your intentions, people won’t take you seriously—no matter how brilliant you are. In most cases, you’ll be manipulated and taken advantage of.
Here are 8 body language mistakes that make people think you’re not serious, and how to fix them…
