If your mother ever told you to sit up straight as a child, little did you know back then that this small gem of wisdom would help you in the future when interviewing for a job. Your posture is a good indication to others of how you carry yourself. Learn why posture is specifically important when you attend an interview.

What Is Proper Posture?

Proper posture is a position where your back is straight and your shoulders are held back firmly. Your bottom should press up against the back of the chair when sitting. When you hold this position, you should also keep your chin up, parallel to the floor. When in a proper sitting position, your body should feel comfortable and balanced throughout.

Exude Confidence

Body language is very important when you're in a meeting, especially when you are interviewing. When you sit slumped over with poor posture, it is an indication that you are not confident in what you are expressing when you speak. When you have proper posture, it is a way to exude confidence to the interviewer. When you sit up straight and look straight ahead, it also encourages you to look directly into the interviewer’s eyes when speaking.

Project Your Words

When you sit correctly, it also helps you to project your words when interviewing. The authority in the way that you speak comes partly from your diaphragm muscle, which is located below your ribcage. If slumped, you place too much pressure on your chest, ribcage and the diaphragm, which limits your ability to project your voice. Proper posture aligns your body so that you can speak clearly from your diaphragm when talking to the interviewer.

Practicing Posture

In advance of your interview, practice your posture. Whether you are sitting at your desk or on a couch, sit with proper posture at all times. Do exercises to train your body to fall naturally into this position. While sitting on the edge of a seat, reach your hands above your head and then roll your arms backward and down. Hold the proper posture with your hands on your lap. Then stretch your hands out and up again to repeat the exercise. Consult with a chiropractor or physical therapist for help with exercises to fit your needs and in finding the proper positioning.