At times your words and tone may be enough to gauge the meaning of what is being said. On top of this, a person's posture, facial expressions, and gestures send messages – some of which are open to misinterpretation. That is why if you want to excel in step one USMLE until USMLE step 3 – or in life in general – you need to become the master of your body.

After passing the Step one USMLE, you will be applying for medical residency training. When the medical residency training director receives your application, it will be evaluated along with a personal interview. Results of the application process will either arrive during or after your USMLE Step 3. To ensure that you do not deny yourself the opportunity to be accepted because of a poor first impression, take a moment to learn the basics of body language – as you will be evaluated during the interview not just with what you say, but with how you use your body to communicate.

• Stance. Someone who stands with back straight, shoulders back and chin up is the very picture of self-confidence and ambition. Also note that standing with your hands clasped behind you is a more graceful authoritative pose than sticking your hands in your pockets. Do not stand with your ankles locked, nor should you hold onto one of your arms at the elbow: both of these poses signal shyness and insecurity.

• Sitting. Slouching in a chair conveys laziness, tiredness, even disrespect. Some body-language experts see crossing the legs while seated as a defensive gesture, yet many people, men and women alike simply find this position more comfortable. A less ambiguous signal is jiggling the knee, which communicates insecurity or fear, especially during an interview.

• Facial expressions. A smile denotes warmth, openness and friendliness. But don't overdo it. False smiles make you look phony, whereas never-ending smiles invite suspicion. On the other side of the coin, a frown or a furrowed brow suggests anger or worry, even if your words are positive.

• Eye contact. Looking into the other person's eyes shows your interest in the conversation. Do not, however, go to the other extreme: staring can look threatening, not to mention strange. The desirable middle ground is reached by shifting your focus to other parts of the face from time to time.

• Gesturing and fidgeting. Go easy on the gesture. Using your hands to emphasize a point is fine, but overdoing it makes you look so excitable. Gestures and fidgets to be avoided include playing with your hair, tie or jewelry, biting your lip, drumming your fingers, unconsciously snapping the clip on a ball-point pen and jiggling the change or keys in your pocket.

• Nodding. Nodding doesn't necessarily mean you agree, but that you understand. But be careful. Too much positive head-nodding can make you seem like a kiss-up, especially when its to please the interviewer.

There's more to body language but the above details are the most common actions during any type of interview, medical residency training application included. Having known to you the hidden message that you body language manifests makes it easier to control them so as not to give away too much clue on how nervous you are at the moment.