Published: March 18, 2022
It takes just a glance, maybe five seconds, for someone to form an impression of you when you meet for the first time. In just this short time-span, the other person forms opinions about you based on your body language, appearance, demeanor, and mannerisms.
Case in point, my friend’s job search had taken her to another city where she was scheduled for a job interview, and I went along with her to keep her company. When she left the hotel for the interview at 8:00 a.m., although she was nervous, she looked great and had a smile on her face.
Little did she know, before the sun rose that day, a road construction crew had closed a main road she planned to take that morning. So, with no option, she detoured, along with about a million other people who were trying to get to work. To top it off, her GPS kept trying to reroute her back onto the main road, and she struggled to get to her destination.
Once there, she found parking, and in a frenzy, she ran to the building almost in tears due to her frustration. When she arrived, the smiling, but nervous, young woman she’s been when she left the hotel, had disappeared. Her appearance was disheveled, she was late and to top it off, she’d left her portfolio containing her resume and follow-up interview questions in the car.
So, imagine that you’ve applied for several jobs on Indeed, and now YOU have an interview. What do you need to do to make a great first impression since a bad first impression can be nearly impossible to undo?
Many times first impressions are the deciding factor for if you get the job or not. At the very least, first impressions set the tone for all future interactions with the people you meet and can impact your overall career.
Tips for making a great first impression at a job interview, whether it’s in-person or remote, include:
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Be On-Time. People who are late, when it really counts like for a job interview, project laziness, incompetence, and ineffectiveness. To counter being late, have a central place where you document your commitments, and factor-in travel time, traffic delays, and regularly fill your car with gas when it reaches ¼ tank. Don’t wait until you’re trying to get to a meeting to realize you don’t have enough fuel and need to stop at a gas station. Plan ahead by getting your portfolio, briefcase, backpack and/or purse organized and ready the night before. And, at the very least, if you’re going to be late, call the person you’re interviewing with at least 20 minutes before you’re supposed to appear for your interview to let them know you’re going to be late. Ask if they’d prefer to reschedule.
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Dress Appropriately. What to wear to an interview is often something you need to determine days in advance of your interview. Generally a job interview calls for professional attire; however, depending upon the job and company culture, other attire may be appropriate. So, do your homework, but always dress a bit more professionally than the average employee at the company. You’re making a first impression, after all.
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Be Open and Friendly. Remember, you’re interviewing the company as much as they are interviewing you. You shouldn’t fake being likable; however, you should be your authentic self, be kind and make small talk with your interviewer.
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Demonstrate a Positive Attitude. Actively listen to what the interviewer is saying by facing the interviewer, sitting or standing up straight, and looking them in the eye. Wait until they stop speaking to speak.
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Smile. Not in a creepy kind of way, but authentically smile. It’s as simple as that.
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Be Courteous and Attentive. It’s time to remember what your grandma taught you; say please and thank you.
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Have a Winning Handshake or Elbow Bump.
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Above All, Be Yourself.
You’re wondering what happened to my friend and her interview, aren’t you? Well, I’m afraid to say that she didn’t get that particular job; however, she learned a lot from her experience. She learned to call the interviewer ahead of the interview to let them know she was running late and why she would be late. She learned to get to know the city better prior to interviews so that she’d be more familiar with traffic, and she determined that if she wasn’t able to be more knowledgeable of the city and traffic prior to the interview, she’d take an Uber or taxi instead.
Making a good first impression doesn’t always come naturally for everyone, especially for job interviews. So plan and practice.
Prep with your friends, your relatives, and even with the team at CareerSource Capital Region.
CareerSource Capital Region can help you with not only resumes and applications, but the CareerSource Capital Region team can help you prepare for a winning interview! They are armed with practical tips and tricks, and even clothing vouchers, to ensure your success! And, their assistance is completely free. So, talk with a professional by calling (850) 922-0023 today.
Written by: Charlotte Brown, SPHR, SHRM-SCP, HR & Communications Manager, CareerSource Capital Region