Leaving first impressions at the time of the interview

Three, two, and one. That was all it took for anyone who passed by while you were reading that sentence to form an opinion about you. Humans re

 

Here are some of our favourite and tried-and-true tips for making a good first impression on your interviewer. 

1.     Be on Time 

Being late for a job interview raises a slew of red flags. It tells the interviewer, off the top of my head, that you messed up in a situation for which you (likely) had adequate time and resources to prepare. Many interviews are scheduled a week or more in advance, so being late is considered a major no-no. Consider how it might affect your dependability and performance on the job if you are hired. If you were late for your interview, what is to say to the interviewer that you will not be late for the job? 

That is a waste of both time and money. Employees who waste time and money are disliked by employers. 

2.     Be Yourself 

When it comes to interviews, being yourself goes a long way. First, keep in mind that the person(s) interviewing you aren't on their first rodeo; they've probably met, and will continue to meet, hundreds of people. 

The Secret Service is undoubtedly better at it, but the average recruiter is quite adept at determining whether or not someone is being genuine, nervous, lying, telling the truth, excited, confident, or concealing something. 

Putting up a front is natural �" it truly is. To protect ourselves from embarrassment, failure, or other pains, we all adopt certain defensive mechanisms. The most basic example would be falling off your bike. WHAM! Your knee is excruciatingly painful. 

3.     Dress Sharp 

"Prepare yourself for the job you want." This appears to be one of those workplace adages that works. However, it is a little misunderstood. It does not imply that you should wear an apron to a restaurant job interview. It really means that you should dress as if you care about your appearance and your ability to advance in life. Dressing well shows that you have long-term goals, a taste for quality, and the professional demeanour that employers everywhere seek. 

4.     Let the Interviewer Talk First 

Getting the interviewer to talk a little more in the beginning of an interview couldn't hurt, and provides a great opportunity for laughing over a joke or making some all-important non-awkward small talk. This is purely anecdotal (meaning it's based on my experience and not any studies). To accomplish this, you could ask them to elaborate on a few of their initial points, ask a question or two, or, if you have a quick wit, discuss the day's news. Be brief, as this is just the beginning of your interview, but you can gain a lot of points in terms of confidence, professionalism, and tact by acting the part and letting the interviewer lead you where they want you to go. 

5.     Actively Listen, Don’t Passively Talk 

When you're actively listening, you're not thinking about your response in the middle of a sentence or letting your mind wander. If you're only paying attention to one thing, it's the picture someone is painting for you with their words. When people actively listen, they are empathetic and considering what someone is saying to them. 

Passively talking, on the other hand, occurs when the conversation of others serves little purpose other than to provide you with time to catch your breath and plan out what to say (about yourself) next. It sounds devious, but it's human nature, and it takes some practice to master. It pays off, though, because people can tell whether or not someone is paying attention to them or just taking in the words haphazardly.