The Do’s and

Don’ts of
Professional Body
Language
 Introduction
You may ask what has the body language got to do with it?
Studies suggest that “only seven per cent of your communication
are the words you say, 38% are vocal elements like your
intonation, but 55% is non-verbal – things like your facial
expressions, gestures, and posture”.
What Makes Up a Good
Body Language?
What Makes Up Good Body Language?
● Eye contact – Establish eye
contact upon meeting your
interviewer to show that you are
interested and engaged. Look at
different parts of the person’s face
every two seconds so you don’t
look awkward or too intense.
What Makes Up Good Body Language?
● Voice quality – Experts say that a
lower pitch makes you sound more
authoritative and confident. This can
be hard to achieve when you are
nervous. To have better voice
quality, take deep breaths to calm
yourself before speaking. Don’t to
talk too fast, take your time and
enunciate your words well.
What Makes Up Good Body Language?
● Handshake – Follow the
establishment’s physical distancing
protocol. If there’s none, wait for
your interviewer’s cue. If a hand is
extended, you have two choices:
shake it (and don’t touch your face)
or apologize and explain politely that
you don’t want to endanger their
health.
What Makes Up Good Body Language?
● Posture – Drop your shoulders back
and sit up straight. It may help to sit
all the way back in your seat to keep
your posture. Lean in towards the
interviewer every now and then. This
shows that you are engaged in the
conversation.
Body Language to Avoid
Body Language To Avoid

● Slouching makes you
appear unprofessional
and lacking in energy.
Body Language To Avoid

● Fidgeting makes you look

nervous and impatient.
Twiddling your fingers or
drumming them on the
table, shifting from your
seat, or crossing and
uncrossing your legs are
distracting gestures.
Body Language To Avoid
● Touching parts of your
face while talking makes
you look like you’re
lying. Avoid touching
your nose, ears or even
scratching your head.
Body Language To Avoid
● Shifty eyes make you seem
bored and untrustworthy.
While talking, avoid looking
up at the ceiling, at your feet
or out of a window. For
obvious reasons, it’s
disrespectful to look away
for extended periods while
the someone is talking.
Body Language To Avoid
● Crossing your arms and
legs makes you look
defensive or guarded. It will
be better to keep your arms
to your sides and your feet
flat on the floor.
Body Language To Avoid
● Hiding your hands makes
you look like you are hiding
something about yourself.
Showing your open palms
signals honesty and
openness. It’s okay to make
hand gestures while you talk.
They can make your
message more powerful.
Body Language To Avoid
● A sluggish walk shows that
you lack energy. It can also
make you look like you
don’t want to be there. A
good walk shows
confidence. Let your pace be
normal and follow the
interviewer’s lead (if you’re
walking together).
 Professional
Appearance and
Clothing Attire
Grooming and Appearance
Maintaining and presenting a professional personal
appearance is important. A professional appearance projects
your attitude.

Dressing have an impact on Self, Colleague &

Customers 

Your clothes convey the message that you are

Confident, Presentable, Ambitious & Sincere
Benefits of Grooming
Makes one look Attractive 
Builds up Self Confidence
Helps in better Appearance
Helps in better Appearance
Grooming
Standards for
Men
Hair
Hair above ears and around the neck should be
tapered
Hair on back of neck should not touch collar

Hair coloring must look natural and

complement the individual.
Most important for men shaving daily is a
must…
Mustaches

Should be trimmed.

It should not grow more than the mouth

corners 

Shaving Daily is a Must!

Clothing Attire

In addition to matching pants and jacket, men should

wear a button-up collared shirt, paired with a tie.

It should not grow more than the mouth c Refrain

from wearing bold and bright colours or patterns in dress
shirts.
Choose a tie with colours and tones that match your suit
and dress shirt; bolder colours and patterns are acceptable
for ties.
 Do’s for Men  
Always look Dress for the audience. Wear clothes that fit
professional  you.

Make sure your clothes Lace-up shoes (usually Ties should be

are pressed black) with a suit conservative and reach
the middle of your belt
buckle

Shirts with a simple A formal but simple Use Mild fragrances

collar and cuffs watch
 Don'ts for Men
Avoid multiple buttons on Avoid Fragrance that Avoid Hair that falls in
your shirt Don’t use smells from a distance your face or obscures
Clothing that no longer your eyebrows 
fits 

Avoid Short-sleeved Don’t use Open top shirt void Shiny tie pins or
dress shirts  button with a tie clips or big belt buckles 

Do not wear wrinkled Avoid Garish ties Don't use Loafers

clothing with a suit
Grooming
Standards for
Women
Hair
Clean, neatly shaped, and arranged in an attractive
feminine and professional style 
Conspicuous rubber bands, combs, and pins
are not advisable
Keep your hair out of your face

Try a sleek ponytail, a bun, or short

hair tucked behind your ear.
Make up
Makeup should be applied in good taste so that
colors blend with natural skin tone and enhance
natural features. 
Lipstick colors shall be conservative and
complement the individual.
Long, false eyelashes shall not be worn when in
uniform.
Clothing Attire
Women should wear tidy dresses, skirts or slacks.

Tops should include neat button-down shirts

or blouses with a blazer.
Business professional shoes include classic
heels no higher than three inches, loafers or tidy
flats.
 Do’s for Women
Always look Dress for the audience. Wear clothes that fit
professional  you.

Make sure your clothes Wear heels (up to 1 Conservative business

are pressed 1/2" to 2"), make-up 
with a high vamp, with
formal attire 

Focus on Lips & eyes Apply Lipstick Simple manicure

properly
 Don’ts for Women
Don’t wear dark colored Don’t Wear wrinkled Don’t wear transparent
clothes.  clothing  Fabrics

Avoid Hair that falls in Avoid Earrings that are Don't wear Anything too
your face or obscures large & dangling  bright, tight, sheer or
your eyebrows  short 

Don’t wear open toed Don’t wear big, Don't have too much
shoes.  shiny buckles or makeup
jewelry