It’s not what you say, it’s how you say it - is this the hidden cardinal rule of interviews?

Mastery of body language - and understanding what you should and shouldn’t say through it - has long been touted as the secret weapon of job interviews.

Everyone’s heard the claim that “90% of all communication is non-verbal.” While that statistic isn’t entirely accurate, the underlying truth remains: in moments of high emotion, your body language often speaks louder than your words.

What is “body language”?
“Body language is the use of physical behaviour, expressions, and mannerisms to communicate non-verbally, often done instinctively rather than consciously.”
Think about everything you do when you’re not talking:
How you sit. How you stand. Your posture, eye contact, when and why you smile, how you use your hands, the speed and volume of your speech, your facial expressions, tone of voice, sense of personal space, and even fidgeting or fiddling with your collar.

The list goes on - and all of it communicates something.

According to HelpGuide, there are seven types of non-verbal communication. Verywell Mind says there are nine. Regardless of the number, one thing is clear: you’re saying far more than just the words that come out of your mouth.

Your body tells a story.

Body language acts like a compass, pointing toward what you really mean. From the second you step into a room — or onto a video call — your gestures, eye contact, and overall presence begin communicating your attitude and intent.

Awareness of these cues gives essential context to spoken words and provides a deeper understanding of emotion and engagement during an interview.

For the interviewee: your helping hand
By consciously applying body language techniques - some subtle, some overt - you can elevate your interview performance and project confidence, engagement, and composure.

For instance, posture matters. Research shows that sitting with folded arms can make you appear defensive, while facing toward a door or window may signal you’d rather escape.
Awareness is power: simply avoiding these negative cues can make a noticeable difference in how you’re perceived.

For the interviewer: your helping hand
Body language isn’t just for candidates - interviewers also benefit from using it consciously.

Consider tone of voice. What a leader sees as authoritative and commanding may come across as domineering or unapproachable to candidates.
Neither side wants to seem aloof, disinterested, nervous, or rude. Awareness of positive, open, and context-driven non-verbal communication helps ensure the experience is rewarding for both parties.

The dos and don’ts of interview body language
DO – Practice.
Without practice, you risk being a “leaking ship” of nerves, undoing all your verbal preparation. Do mock interviews, record yourself, and ask honestly: Would I hire me?

DON’T – Go overboard.
Too much gesturing can distract, and maintaining eye contact for more than four seconds can feel uncomfortable or even intimidating.

DO – Develop emotional awareness.
Non-verbal cues are emotionally driven. Cultivate self-awareness to better understand your triggers and to read the emotions of others more accurately.

DON’T – Zone out during virtual interviews.
Online interviews still allow for strong body language. Avoid looking away from the screen too often or appearing disengaged.

The bottom line
Mastering body language requires self-awareness and deliberate practice. It’s central to telling the right story about who you are, why you’re good at what you do, and the confidence you bring to your craft.

Don’t overthink it - instead, treat these principles as flexible guidelines. Learn them, adapt them, and use them naturally to suit the flow of every interview.

The Remote Interview Revolution:

Like almost everything in the world of HR, the humble job interview has undergone a quiet revolution in recent years.

We now live in the age of remote interviews - and it’s been a long time coming. Beyond the obvious convenience of interviewing from the comfort of home, remote interviewing has fundamentally changed how employers and candidates connect.

It opens the door to a much wider and more diverse talent pool - people who were once out of reach due to geography or circumstance. Employers now have the power to connect with talent faster, reduce time-to-hire, and scale their hiring efforts digitally.

But while the technology has evolved, behaviour and attitude sometimes lag behind. That’s where companies like Evolve add real value - helping both candidates and employers get up to speed with best practice in this new recruitment landscape.

The Challenge: Communicating Through a Screen

Remote interviews bring their own unique challenges - especially when it comes to communication.

With body language constrained, nuance reduced, and the natural flow of in-person conversation flattened into a two-dimensional exchange, candidates often wonder:
How can I make an impact through a screen?

Fortunately, there are a few simple, tried-and-true rules that can help you stand out for all the right reasons.

1. Still Dress to Impress

First impressions matter - even on camera.

Yes, the cliché of someone interviewing in shorts and a suit jacket is probably more common than we’d like to admit, but professionalism still counts. Dressing appropriately shows respect for both yourself and your interviewer.

While lighting, camera angle, and internet connection are all important, attire remains the simplest way to communicate confidence and readiness.

2. Check Your Lighting

This one’s easy but often overlooked: don’t sit with a bright light or window behind you.

A strong backlight will throw off your camera’s balance and turn you into a silhouette - not a great look.
Instead, light your face from the front with soft, even lighting. If possible, position yourself near a window facing the light source or use a front-facing lamp.

3. Create a Neutral Space

Your interview background tells its own story. Aim for a space that’s clean, calm, and distraction-free.

Background: Avoid anything risqué, personal, or overly busy. A tidy shelf or neutral wall works best. If using a virtual background, go for something subtle and professional.

Pets: As much as we love them, keep furry friends out of earshot.

Housemates or family: Give everyone a heads-up about your interview time to prevent interruptions.

Devices: Silence your phone and mute all notifications. Unless you need another screen for reference, close everything else and keep your attention focused.

4. Be Punctual (No Excuses)

You can’t blame traffic for being late to a remote interview.

Join the meeting early, sit in the waiting room, and be ready to start on time. It’s a small act that leaves a big impression.

5. Check Your Tech

Finally - and crucially - test everything.

Confirm your internet connection, meeting link, webcam, and microphone beforehand. Do a quick trial run to avoid last-minute glitches.

If something’s unclear - say, the interview platform or link - don’t hesitate to ask ahead of time. It’s far better than being caught troubleshooting live.

Remember, even though you’re not hosting the interview, you do share responsibility for making sure it runs smoothly. Treat it as a partnership - you and your interviewer working toward the same goal: connection.

The Takeaway

Remote interviews are here to stay - and that’s a great thing. They make hiring more accessible, more efficient, and more inclusive.

But success in this new format requires more than just showing up on camera. It’s about preparation, awareness, and presentation - the same fundamentals that have always mattered, just adapted to a digital stage.

If you’d like to learn more about mastering remote interviews - as a candidate or an employer - contact Evolve for expert guidance and tailored advice.

This is the first of two blogs on some of the basics of interviewing, so we thought we’d start this mini-series highlighting some of the most important candidate interview do’s and don’ts.

In our experience, no matter the industry or level of seniority, navigating an interview is not a simple tried and tested formula.

Every aspect of recruitment, from pre-interviewing and vetting through to onboarding and retention, has changed. Industry shifts caused by market conditions and the increase in remote interviewing all mean interviews must adapt to meet the needs of the modern workplace.

Interviews, interview strategy and interview planning are as subject to changing trends and industry movements as anything else in recruitment and HR. Consider this a bit of new recruitment market myth-busting, courtesy of Evolve!

So, without further ado, here is the Evolve Interview Do's and Don’ts guide for Candidates…

Do.

Ask Questions.

● We cannot implore this enough of candidates. Be curious. Ask questions. Ask about the role, the last person in the role, why the role is vacant, and what you should expect from the role. Ask your interviewer what they should expect from you. There are never enough questions you can ask.

● An interview represents one of the only open forum opportunities to mine your interviewer for information on the role, the company, their plans, and your place within it all. So don’t leave any stone unturned.

Dress to impress, even online.

● Although we don’t completely believe in dressing for the job you want, not the job you have, there is nothing wrong with making sure you turn up in appropriate attire.

● Never forget the basics of interviewing - showing up in your Sunday best might be a touch overkill, but smart clothing shows respect for the occasion and that you’re approaching the interview process from a place of professionalism.

● We may all be doing everything on Zoom and spending less time in office, but compromising on this, at the interview stage, is fatal for a job application.

● The basics still count, respect is still important, and displaying professionalism is vital.

Remember the basics of positive body language.

● From looking at windows or facing doors during an interview, to crossed arms and eyes dropped to the floor, body language matters - remember, it’s what you're saying when you’re not saying anything.

● This is where a bit of practice makes all the difference. Positive body language comes from control, awareness and continuous adjustment to posture, facial expression and tone of voice. So practise answering questions. Film yourself practising questions and review how you engage.

● Confidence is bred from knowing how you approach every question and every answer, and this will feed down into everything from your posture to the way you gesticulate during answers.

Remember to relate anecdotes and experience to achievements.

● Relate as much working evidence and experience back to tangible moments on your CV, and always elevate achievements over skills when talking about yourself.

● This will mean your interviewer can see where, when and how you achieved something in past roles, better visualising how you will fit into their company.

Don't.

Be late!

● If you’re holding an interview online, there is no excuse. But similarly, turning up late to an in-person interview shows a critical lack of forethought and planning.

● If you are going to be late due to traffic, or you’re experiencing digital issues and cannot access a remote interview, do not hesitate to let your employer know as soon as possible. Be open, honest and receptive to feedback on future interview planning: hiccups happen and it’s not fatal to a job interview unless you refuse to communicate.

Forget the follow-up email.

● A follow-up email is one of the easiest things to forget. If an interview goes badly, it may be something you don’t want to do. But I find even sending a simple thank you shows courtesy and respect.

● A follow-up is also an opportunity to double up on points raised in the interview. Perhaps you mentioned a project you worked on you think your interviewer may want to read more about - that’s your chance to show them!

Be aloof!

● Lastly, attitude to interviews is everything, because it reflects your attitude in how you work.

● Every point raised above speaks volumes about how you’d approach teamwork, meeting deadlines, how you work with management and more. So if you approach an interview from a place of aloofness you’re not displaying confidence - you’re displaying arrogance.

The bottom line.

The ball is very much in your court when it comes to recruitment - the low supply/high demand of specialist talent in the pharmaceutical and healthcare market has created a perfect storm of candidate supremacy.

But an interview is neutral ground. It should be treated with professionalism, grace and thanks.

For more helpful advice and tips, contact Evolve!