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Can you cross your legs in an interview?  Yes.  Would I? No

There has never been a person that has been hired or fired based on whether or not they crossed their legs.  It depends on what you’re comfortable with, and how you look.  There was a guy who tested for South City who pulled the chair all of the way up and put his elbows on to the table.  He got hired.  I wouldn’t have done it. But that was what he was comfortable doing.

People tell me, "I have been told I talk with my hands too much".  There is nothing that looks worse than a person, who is comfortable talking with their hands, trying not to do it.  They look uncomfortable and out of sorts the whole time they are sitting on their hands.

Here’s what you can do.  Video tape yourself during a mock interview.  See how you look.  I used to scratch my back during the interview.  The first time I saw myself doing that on tape, I never did it again.  You’re your own harshest critic.  If you see yourself do something you don’t like, you will probably never do it again.  It’s tough to have others watch you and then tell you what you should do differently.  Because, what they are really telling you is how they would do it, if they were you.

It would be better for you to cross your legs, if that is what you’re used to, than to keep starting and stopping as you catch yourself.  Once you can be comfortable in the chair with your delivery, you convey more confidence.  When you can get your presentation to the point where you can deliver it in a comfortable confident manner, you can help the board be more comfortable with you, and confident in your ability.  I’m not suggesting you swing a leg up over the armrest, just do what is natural for you.

 

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