Whether you're battling it out for a job in an interview or you're trying to impress your boss, your unconscious actions in the heat of a nerve-racking moment can be a dead giveaway that you're uncomfortable.

What's worse, whether it's true or not, nervous habits often scream, "I'm not ready for this!"



Nail biting

Nail biting is one of the most common nervous habits, Amanda Augustine, career advice expert for TopResume, tells Business Insider. "Not only does picking at your nails and cuticles look gross, but it wreaks havoc on your hands and downgrades your overall personal brand," she says.

Constantly checking your phone

"In my view, the person who can't stop looking at his watch or mobile device is signaling his boredom," Vicky Oliver, author of "301 Smart Answers to Tough Interview Questions" and 301 Smart Answers to Tough Business Etiquette Questions.


Avoiding eye contact

Too little eye contact can hurt your chances of making the right impression, Augustine says, because it can make you appear unprepared, uninterested, insincere, and even arrogant. "Aim to make direct contact approximately half of the time during a conversation and people will perceive you as believable, confident, and competent," she advises.

Rubbing your hands together or on your thigh 

Rosalinda Oropeza Randall, an etiquette and civility expert and the author of "Don't Burp in the Boardroom," tells Business Insider that while these behaviors have a soothing effect, they can take the focus away from what you're saying and may be a little "too close for comfort" for watchers.


Responding, 'Hmm, that's a good question'


Similarly, responding, "Good point," to everything your boss says may make you look more like a "yes person" than someone with their own opinions.

Poorly timed behavior

"Very loud laughter or hyena-like laughter during a solemn moment at the office can send a peculiar message to your coworkers," Oliver says.

And doing something at an odd time, like counting your change during a staff meeting, makes you look inadvertently rude and makes everyone wonder, "Why is she doing that right now?"


"Frowning won't just make you look unpleasant, but it also can make you look less intelligent," Augustine says. 


"Practice interviewing or networking in front of a mirror so you can watch your facial expressions and make an effort to smile throughout the process," she suggests.

Hair twirling


"Resist the twirling temptation by wearing an updo such as a french twist, bun, or smart ponytail," she suggests. "This is a great way to step up your interview look and resist revealing your nervousness.

Repeating, 'Um' or 'Like'

Oliver warns that repeating filler words such as "like" or "um" makes you look young and unpolished, and constantly re-using the same word or phrase can make you seem insecure. 

Teeth grinding

"If you grind your teeth at night, you may find yourself clenching or grinding your teeth during stressful situations," Augustine says. "This behavior can make you appear angry, overbearing, or just plain anxious."


Speed talking

"Besides sounding incomprehensible to the interviewer, you appear incompetent and out of control," Augustine says. "By matching the volume and speed of speech with your audience, you will force yourself to slow down and become instantly more relatable to the other person."

This story first appeared on Business Insider.