A first impression is made in the first 5 minutes of meeting someone. Make your the best impression at your interview by maximizing those few moments.
If you think about your job search like dating and job interviews like first dates, it's clear that the whole battle can be won or lost on the first impression alone. On a first date, most of us can tell, within the first five minutes or so, if the person we just met is going to be someone we want to know more about or if they are going to be a good fit. This same phenomena is true when it comes to hiring as well.
This might cause some great people to be overlooked, it narrows the field and ensure that the person who is chosen is someone who has chemistry with the employer and fits well with the corporate culture.
This is why the first five minutes of your interview can be a make it or break it time. Here are 5 tips to make the most of those precious minutes:
- It's in the approach – When you walk into the interview, be kind and courteous to anyone who speaks to you. Try to carry yourself with confidence, but not over-the-top swagger. If you behave as though you deserve to be there, and make it look natural, it will be easy for the interviewer to envision you as a part of the team.
- Look neat and tidy – No matter what the dress code is at that particular workplace, dress professionally and a little nicer than you would on a typical work day. Don't wear a wrinkled shirt, crooked tie or inappropriate clothing. Make sure you are suffering from dry mouth and be aware of the way that you are presenting yourself. Looking the part can help make the connection with the interviewer.
- Shake hands, then speak – A handshake is crucial when you first meet your interviewer. Along with the handshake, give a confident smile to show that you are relaxed and ready to get to know more about the job and the company. Make eye contact and introduce yourself. Even though you might be nervous, don't try too hard here. The goal is to come across as confident, natural and relaxed. If you believe that you belong there, the interviewer will believe it as well.
- Be gracious – When offered a seat, be sure to say thank you, and then sit down gracefully. It also helps to say something brief to the interviewer that lets them know that this particular interview is important to you and not just another interview. Of course, you don't want to go overboard and sound desperate, but a simple “I'm excited about this job and I'm looking forward to seeing how we can make this work.” will do.
- Make conversation – Before the questions start, it's helpful to start some light banter with the interviewer. Ask a simple question just to calm your nerves and lighten the mood. A minute or two of brief chit chat can help the interviewer see you as a co-worker or employee rather than just another job applicant. The main thing here is to be a real person, be yourself and show a genuine interest in the interviewer and the company. Trust me, they can tell if you are just trying desperately to fit the idea of who you think they are looking for.
In those first few minutes, you want to give the interviewer a chance to see your best qualities first, give them all they need in order to be able to imagine you in the position and show them what a consummate professional you are. Even if there are hundreds of other applicants, many of whom may be just as qualified as you are, the connection you make in the first few minutes will stick in the interviewer's mind more than the items on your resume.
What do you do in order to make the first few moments count? I would love to hear your thoughts in the comments.
By Melissa Kennedy- Melissa is a 9 year blog veteran and a freelance writer for LogisticsJobsiteBlog, along with helping others find the job of their dreams, she enjoys computer geekery, raising a teenager, supporting her local library, writing about herself in the third person and working on her next novel.
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