Did you know that most people make a decision about whether they like someone or not within a matter of seconds? Does that sound fair? No. But is it true? Absolutely. So, when it comes to making a great first impression during a job interview, every second counts. Below are some of the most important things to consider before your big interview to make that first impression that says “you’re hired!”.
Dress to impress
No one expects you to spend a fortune on a new suit for every interview, so make sure you have a go-to look that you can use whenever needed. Consider things like a nice wristwatch, some smart glasses, and a well-ironed shirt. Avoid ties that are zany with multiple colors and instead focus on one subtle tie color.
Eye contact and body language
Online or in-person, eye contact is the easiest and most effective way of building an instant rapport with your interviewer. Making it known that you understand and are ingesting the information you’re being given shows your interviewer that you are able to pay attention and focus.
Be sure to avoid folding your arms or frowning, and try to nod along at important moments to show you’re still interested and engaged. Avoid looking away or scanning the rest of the room during an interview as well, as it may appear as if you’ve lost interest and become distracted.
Stay positive but honest
Yes, honesty is an important part of selling your true self to a company, but that doesn’t mean you have to approach issues at previous places of work in a negative way. Consider using words like ‘challenging’ when referring to other jobs, and end anything that could be construed as negative with a positive spin on what you learned from the experience and how it made you better at your role.
Ask questions
It may be tempting to ask about money and bonuses and holidays during an interview. And of course, those are important factors to consider. But for this first impression, always try to ask questions that show your potential employer that you are eager to work there and know about the company.
Ask about their processes and procedures, or what the chances are of hard workers being promoted internally. Don’t be pushy, but don’t be afraid to make it clear that you’re driven and determined to be an integral part of the company’s future.
Be yourself
Finally, no matter what, it’s always important to be yourself and not put on a fake personality in an attempt to impress and win over an interviewer. Chances are that you got to this point because of your hard work and talent, so let that be what truly shines during your interview, not your struggle to maintain a facade.
No matter what happens next, you’ve done your part by dressing for success, making sure you’ve left a good impression, and approaching it with honesty and integrity. Now, it’s just a matter of waiting for the feedback and hoping for the best!
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