Don't Do What Maya Did If You Really Want to Land Your Dream Job

Maya (name changed) walked into her first-ever interview at our office. We could instantly see that she was prepared—confidently chatting with fellow candidates in the waiting area, while others looked visibly nervous.

The silent signals we send can say more than our words in an interview.

When her turn came, she entered the interview room, confidently pulled the chair, and smiled at the interviewer. The panel made sure she felt at ease and even offered her a glass of water. The interview went on for about 30 minutes. Once all the candidates were done and had left, we couldn’t forget Maya.

Not because she nailed it—but because she didn’t.

Here’s what happened.

When asked about her strengths, Maya quickly replied, “Truthfulness.”But as she said that word, she reached up and rubbed her nose.

The gesture didn’t repeat when she went on to say “hardworking” and “teamworking.”

She kept touching her face and jawline throughout the conversation. We noticed.

Technically? She was great—qualified and skilled, no doubt. But she lacked something important: warmth.

And when asked a question that needed creativity, she didn’t shine—despite her resume clearly showcasing creative work.

So what went wrong?

Let’s break it down:

🟠 If only she hadn’t lied about “truthfulness” When people lie, even about small things, their body reacts. We often touch our nose, mouth, or eyes—it’s our brain’s way of saying “Oops… don’t say that.” Maya’s gesture gave her away.

🟠 If only she hadn’t touched her face so much Frequent face-touching signals nervousness or lack of confidence. It can be distracting and leaves a subtle but strong impression.

🟠 If only she balanced competence with warmth Being competent is great. But pairing it with warmth—being open, friendly, collaborative—makes a stronger impact. People hire people they like working with.

🟠 If only she hadn’t crossed her arms while answering creative questions Crossed arms aren’t just seen as defensive—they literally make you think less creatively. Open body posture promotes open thinking.

Had Maya worked on these little things, she might have been the perfect fit for the role.

Many candidates walk out thinking, “I nailed it!”

But then comes the silence… or the dreaded rejection mail.

I get it. It stings.

But let me tell you—you’re just one step away from your dream job.

🟠 Build your skills

🟠 Gain deep knowledge

🟠 Practice, prepare, and polish your answers

🟠 Balance technical brilliance with warmth

🟠 Let your body speak the right language

Because interviews aren’t just about what you say.They’re also about what you don’t say—your unspoken language. Your body language.

Want to learn more about how your body can speak louder than your words?

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