Making the Best First Impression

One minute is all it takes. Psychologists have discovered that 50% of the interviewer’s decision is made within the first 30-60 seconds of an interview. 25% is made within the first 15 minutes. Making the best first impression is crucial to landing the job you want, so follow these tips to showcase the best you!

Body Language

Go beyond your words to make a good impression. Communication theorists say that 93% of communication is nonverbal. What you are saying with your body language can make more of an impact than what you say verbally.

  • Make sure your body is relaxed during your interview. Don’t cross your arms or hold your head up with your elbow on the table. Be sure to sit up straight and hold your hands in your lap or on the table.
  • Make sure you are making eye contact for most of the interview. Note: do not hold eye contact for the entire interview.
  • Smile and be happy! When you smile and enjoy yourself, it shows in your body language, including your eyes.

Think Positive

Your thoughts can influence your actions and the things you say. Always go to an interview with positive thoughts, so that how you feel is reflected in your body language, your tone of voice and the things you say about your past experience and skills.

Dress to Impress

Always dress for the job you want. If you are interviewing for a corporate job, dress more professionally in a suit and tie. For industrial jobs, wear business casual in a dress shirt and nice pants. No matter what the job is, you should always look your best.

The Greeting

Remember to use the interviewer’s name in your initial greeting and either return or extend a friendly handshake when you meet and when you leave. This shows interest and professionalism.

Avoid the “Ums and Ahs”

Filler words, such as “um” and “ah” are typically used to fill the silence as you think about what to say next. However, those who use a lot of filler words may come across as not knowing what they are talking about.  Make sure you speak slow enough to think about what you are saying and take some time to think about the questions before you answer. You should also rehearse some of the commonly asked questions before the interview to prepare.

Just Relax and Be Yourself!

Beyond these tips, you can’t always control what your interviewer thinks of you, so don’t stress too much over your first impression. Enjoy your interview because even if you don’t get the job, you can take this time to practice for the next one.

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