(ThyBlackMan.com) Regardless of whether you’re just starting your career and you’re going on job interviews, or you’re an experienced professional who wants to find ways to propel your career ahead more quickly, body language is an essential component.
Unfortunately, even people who have been in the workforce for decades may not have a grasp of what good body language really is, and it in many ways can sabotage their careers as a result. Body language is so important companies like Firmex create in-depth video guides like their “Body Language for Dealmakers” to highlight the role it plays in whether or not a business deal goes through.
So how do you know if your body language is all wrong to achieve your professional goals? Below are some red flags 
you should look out for if you think you might not have a solid grasp of strong workplace body language.
Too Much Eye Contact
You might be saying, too much eye contact is a problem? It seems like body language 101 highlights the importance of eye contact, but holding it too long can seem aggressive or threatening. Of course, you shouldn’t avoid it either, but try to find the right balance between appearing engaged and genuine, and holding contact for an uncomfortably long period of time.
Touching Your Hair or Face
We all typically have some time of fidgeting response that stress can elicit in us, but they’re all usually viewed negatively. This can be particularly true if you tend to play or touch your hair or face during significant interactions. Doing this becomes a distraction for the person you’re talking to, and it can signify you don’t have a lot of confidence in the particular situation you’re in. Along with touching your hair or face, really any nervous gesture or motion you might have should be avoided at all costs. It just doesn’t make a good impression.
Perching
If you’ve ever been around someone who tends to “perch” you know why this can be a problem. Perching involves sitting on the edge of your chair during an interview or in a business-related situation. When you perch, it can make you seem anxious and uncomfortable, and that energy can rub off on the people you’re speaking with. On the other hand, don’t get too comfortable so that you look like you’re slouching because that can show that you’re so relaxed you don’t care. Try to find a nice way to sit with good posture, showing your confidence and enthusiasm.
Touching Things Around You
As a final note as what not to do in terms of business-related body language, don’t fixate on things around you. You may not even realize your tendency to sit down and immediately start playing with something on the table in front of you, but the people in front of you likely notice. If you can’t even focus during a meeting, an interview or while trying to close a deal, why would the person you’re with think you would display focus in any other area of your life or work?
Staff Writer; Jason Harris
