First Impressions Are Made at the Interview Introduction

First impressions are made at the interview introduction. The first five minutes of your job interview often sets the stage for the whole interview process that will follow.

If you can make an excellent first appearance, you’ll find the rest of your interview will go more smoothly, be more enjoyable, and you’ll be much more confident and relaxed.

Interview Attire Can be as Important Your Responses

Like it or not, we are a visual society, and first impressions are made primarily based on our appearance and body language. What you wear says a lot about who you are, what kind of employee you will be, and how well you will fit into the company culture.

With your appearance, making a mistake is much more noticeable than when you dress appropriately. For instance, employers will definitely notice if a candidate enters the room while chewing gum, showing piercings or tattoos, or if they show up wearing a tracksuit, jeans, or spike heels. Always dress professionally, conservatively, and dress for the position you want. This will ensure a positive first presence.

Greet the Interviewer

Even though this sounds simple and straightforward, greeting the interviewer is something many overly-nervous people forget to do, and it can go a long way. If you notice there are multiple interviewers when you enter the room, greet each of them individually.

When you greet your interviewers, don’t forget to introduce yourself unless they speak to you by name formally. Some interviewers will interview many job candidates, and they may not know who you are right away. Always introduce yourself. Firmly shake their hand when you greet them.

Remain standing until the interviewer asks you to take a seat.

And when you sit down, relax but be careful not to slump or lean on the interviewer’s desk. At the beginning of your interview, you should be prepared to both make small talk and talk about yourself, as most interviews will begin with questions centered on you as a person.

Don’t Forget to Smile.

A smile can go a long way and set both you and your interviewers at ease. Body language goes a long way to help the interviewers form an impression of you. Everyone is nervous during an interview, but try to consciously remember not to fidget, slump in your chair, look down, or frown, as these will all be seen as negative in the eyes of your interviewers.

Make Eye Contact

When speaking to the interviewer, make eye contact, just like with a friend during a casual conversation. When speaking, remember to speak in a firm, clear, confident tone. It won’t matter how perfect your answers are to the interviewer’s questions if they can’t hear or understand them.

Need additional help? Reach out to Candace to learn more!