There is no one who can be confident all the time; you have your ‘good’ days and the ‘bad’ days. This might work in the negative when you are surrounded by people or have gone for a job interview. It is a known fact that most of us are not comfortable and confident in unfamiliar surroundings with strangers. Not feeling confident is fine; you need to ensure that you make an effort in appearing confident. Why not follow few tips so that you ‘appear’ confident in a crowd?
1. Standing Tall:
When standing in a crowd, ensure your spine is straight and your shoulders are pulled back. A good posture can help you in appearing confident. Those who slouch are viewed as uncertain or unconfident individuals.
2. Making Eye Contact:
Eye contact plays an important role to increase the perceived confidence. Without this you appear non-attentive and distracted. While talking it is important to look into the eyes of the recipient or if you are in a crowd you can alternate between different people. This also applies when someone else is talking to you. Pay attention to what is being said and stop looking around. Breaking eye contact makes you appear indecisive with a lack of confidence.
3. Speaking Clearly and Slowly:
You find people who are not confident speaking slowly in low tones. This leads to vulnerability which can lead to slipping up and making mistakes, causing more damage. Take your time when you are speaking and make sure you speak clearly and slowly. This makes you look confident and also helps you to use the right vocabulary.
4. Hands to be Visible:
Many of us are not aware that our hands say a lot about us. It is thus important to keep them not only visible but also active during a conversation. Folding your arms or stuffing your hands into your pockets are a clear sign of lack of confidence.
5. Improve your Handshake:
It is natural to be anxious when you meet someone new. You can distract yourself from nerves and project a good image if you make an effort to appear confident. The handshake is usually the first contact you have with anyone in a professional setting. The tone of the interaction can be set with a quality handshake. You need to ensure that you grasp the hand firmly but not tightly. The ‘right’ handshake can form an instant connection.
Appearing confident is definitely attractive and can take you places. This can also be helpful in developing the confidence you lack. This is said to be a quality of leaders and it shows the world that you are proud of what you are. Appearing confident indicates a level of maturity and thus is important in all the walks of life.
Appearing confident when you go for an interview can show that you are not desperate for the job. You need to ensure that you do not mix ‘confidence’ and ‘arrogance’ as these are two separate factors.