Career Development
Interviews can be intimidating, but using strategies cultivated by professional actors can help you exude confidence even when you feel nervous.
We often admire movie actors and other starlets for their ability to perform extreme feats of athleticism, convey emotional vulnerability, and look gorgeous. However, from my own time in the performance industry and teaching “Introduction to Acting,” I can tell you that their real secret is their confidence, which masks their insecurities and creates an ability to connect with others. Confidence also helps actors nail their auditions and helps my students from various majors feel ready for public speaking, presentations, and job interviews. Below are some of my favorite tips from the pros that you can use to ace interviews:
Soft Eye Contact. Actors, unless embodying a role, always look at the person they’re speaking to, which contributes to their air of confidence. It’s important to note that this may vary between cultures, as some may consider eye contact impolite (research the country you are applying to using the Career Center’s GoinGlobal resources). However, most interviewers expect eye contact to show engagement but aren’t looking for you to stare them down without blinking. If eye contact is uncomfortable, try looking at their eyebrows instead.
Body Language. As any actor will tell you, humans subconsciously engage with other people using body language. Cues to show favorability and interest include:
- angling toward the direction where your interviewers are sitting/standing
- giving a good handshake (notably, this can also be culture-dependent, but generally involves a right-handed, firm handshake without too much squeezing or shaking)
- preventing your arms from crossing and using open, enthusiastic gestures with your arms
- nodding your head and other active listening cues
- smiling (particularly if it reaches your eyes)
- maintaining a similar eye level (sitting vs. standing)
- avoiding constant fidgeting
Avoid overcompensating for these by implementing them all at once during the interview. Instead, integrate these ideas into your daily life until they become habits. Also, pay attention to the body language cues your interviewer may give you in return; it’s a great way to know if the interview is going well!
Speaking Thoughtfully. You may notice that actors in interviews don’t typically say ‘um’ or ‘uh’ very frequently. They speak directly and pause when thinking over a question or comment. Avoid using too many filler words (such as ‘um,’ ‘uh,’ ‘well,’ ‘like,’ and others) by speaking more slowly. It is much better to pause briefly between words or phrases than to add fillers that make you seem less confident. Use the AI tool in Big Interview to catch instances of your filler words. On another note, try also to spin your ideas in a way that frames everything toward the positive- it’s okay to say that something was a challenge, but then emphasize how things have improved or what you’ve learned.
Seeing Your Interviewer. Actors often come off as very personable in interviews. It’s common for an actor to make their interviewer laugh and help them enjoy the conversation. One of the reasons actors come off as so likable is because they treat the interviewer as another person. They may tell a joke, ask how they’re doing, offer a bit of commentary about the day/time/setting, or compliment them, but they ultimately acknowledge the interviewer as another human being. It will help them relax and shift the interview's tone if it comes across as sincere. When you leave, acknowledge them again by thanking them for their time.
Do Your Prep Work. All actors come on set or to an interview with an idea of what will happen. Even if you don’t have the questions in advance, do your part by coming in ready to talk about yourself and this job. Whether it’s ensuring that you’re on time, having pre-written questions to ask the interviewer about the role, or having a good sense of your accomplishments, ensure you look and feel ready to engage with the interview. Much like an actor going into an audition, you need to commit to recreating the best version of yourself.
For more tips on doing well in interviews, check out this video by YouTuber Charisma on Command, log in to Big Interview to practice, or contact the career experts at the GSRC to help!
External Source Information:
Lessons on Body Language with IDC
About the Author:
Grace Kimball (she/her/per pronouns) is a doctoral candidate in the Department of Theater and Dance and a Graduate Career Peer Advisor at UCSB. She studies early modern English performance behaviors and faith and helps undergraduates learn about theater and performance studies in her classroom. Grace is also available for her graduate student colleagues through appointments on Handshake to discuss CVs, cover letters, resumes, interviews, and other job market materials.