5 ways to make a good first interview impression
You’ve probably heard that first impressions are difficult to change. Many hiring managers admit that their opinions of candidates are formed from the minute they first meet them and will decide whether the candidate is hirable or not right then and there. To make your best first impression at an interview, follow these tips.
1. Walk proud. When the hiring manager approaches you at the first meeting, or when you’re walking into the office, remember what your mother always said: Stand up straight, keep your shoulders back and chin up, all while relaxing your body. Anything less conveys fear, discomfort and uncertainty.
2. Make eye contact. Look the interviewer in the eye. Avoid hiding behind your hair or keeping your eyes downcast. Avoiding eye contact makes people wonder whether you’re telling the truth.
3. Offer a firm handshake. Your handshake says a lot about you. Women particularly have a tendency to take the “princess approach” to shaking hands, offering a limp grip or turning their hand upward, almost as if expecting you to kiss it. Develop a firm (but not too firm) grasp that conveys confidence and security.
4. Smile and relax your facial muscles. Maintaining a stiff countenance comes across as robotic and not engaged in the conversation. Some people do this in an effort to feel in control. An important part of any interview is connecting with the person conducting the interview.
5. Prepare complete answers. Before you get to the interview, practice answers to questions that provide the hiring manager with enough information to make an educated decision about your candidacy. Practicing will help you feel less nervous and more confident. Some candidates mistakenly believe that if they keep their answers brief, they will avoid sounding nervous or saying something silly. Better to laugh off a silly answer or cracking voice than to sound unqualified.
Of course, dressing professionally is also important, so make sure you put on your best professional suit, too!