Whether you are pitching for a contract or interviewing for a job, your body language can affect the outcome. How long does it take for a person to form a positive or negative first impression of you? Recruitment studies have found that you can make or break a job interview in the first 30 seconds or less.

Interviewers can read a person's body language quickly. What this means is that if you've made a positive impression (in the first 30 seconds) the interviewer will spend the rest of the time looking for confirmation of this positive image. Conversely, if you make a negative first impression often the interviewer will spend the rest of the time looking for more evidence that you are not right for the job.

There are a few things you should be aware of that will help you to project a positive image:

• Eye contact and good posture are the most important forms of non-verbal communication. Maintaining steady eye contact helps to create the impression of confidence and honesty. Most of the information about you comes from your face because that's what they are looking at. Your eyes are most important followed by your facial expressions. Be aware though, that holding someone's gaze for too long can be disconcerting.
• Your handshake is of vital importance. This is the only physical contact you will be making with your client or interviewer. A firm handshake is mandatory. This conveys confidence. How have you felt when receiving a ‘limp fish' handshake? What did you think of that person?
• Your posture says a great deal about whether you care about the way you present yourself, whether you care about what you have to offer and whether you are even aware of the impression you may give. Pull yourself up to your full height, lean forward with a smile when you are shaking hands with your potential client or the interviewer. When seated don't slouch, sit slightly forward. This conveys that you want to understand exactly what is being said.

Here are 7 steps to looking great and feeling confident in any situation:

1. Dress appropriately for the occasion. Do you need to wear traditional business or corporate casual in the environment you are entering?
2. Ensure you wear flattering styles and colours that suit your skin tone and body shape. When in doubt, go a little conservative.
3. Know the image you want to project. What words do you want others to use when they think or speak about you?
4. Great grooming. Clean hair and clothes, clothes in good repair, flattering make-up for women and hairstyle.
5. Enhancing body language. Facial expressions and eye contact - warm and friendly. Confident posture and movements.
6. Great personality. Genuinely interested in others, actively listen, warm, friendly, respectful, caring, positive and enthusiastic.
7. Good conversationalist. Intelligent all-round conversationalist. Interested in what others have to say, ask open questions to get others engaged.

Jane Jackson is a Senior Consultant at Drake International (Recruitment Services) and Director of Style Success, coaching for success. For more information visit www.stylesuccess.biz or contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it