Right at the beginner of the job interview is when you have the chance to make a great first impression. However, lots of people end up making a bad impression. There is a study that suggests that 30% of hiring managers only need five minutes into an interview to know if they want to hire someone.
You might have an interview with a manager that takes more than a few minutes. Even if this is the case, you’ll want to do what you can to make a good impression within a few minutes into the interview. Doing this will increase your chances of landing a job.
With that said, do you want to impress your interviewer? If so, there are tips that can help you. These tips include:
Before Your Interview
Practice by reviewing potential questions you’ll be asked during the interview. Take time to think about the answers you’ll give. Have someone you know do a mock interview with you, as this will give you practice that can help you ace your interview.
Research the employer before you go to your interview. The chances are the interviewer will ask you what you know about the company. If you’re caught off-guard, then you might make a bad impression if you don’t give a good answer.
Get inside information about both the company and its employees. There are several ways you can get inside info, such as seeing if anyone in your social network works for the company. You can also use Facebook and LinkedIn to learn more about the company and its workers.
Review the posting you responded to. This will give you insights into what the company is looking for in a prospective worker. Don’t forget to be clear about what you can offer the company. This will entail reviewing your resume and your cover letter.
LinkedIn can be used to check out the interviewer. You don’t need to spend a lot of time doing this, as all it takes is a few minutes to learn a few quick things about them. You’ll get an idea of who you’ll be speaking with, their tenure with the business and what kind of career path they have been on.
Preparing For The Interview
Wear attire that is appropriate for the interview. You don’t want to show up under-dressed or overdressed. Dressing appropriately will improve your chances of making a great impression.
Don’t use too much cologne or perfume. The last thing you want is to distract your interviewer because you overdid it with the fragrance. Some people are sensitive to fragrances and/or have allergies to fragrances.
Make sure your hair is neat and tidy and not overly long or overly short. If you have wigs or a hair piece ensure it’s well presented.
Try to keep your palms from sweating because nobody wants to shake hands with a sweaty palm. Right before your interview you can wash your hands and thoroughly dry them. If washing them isn’t possible, then dry your hands with a paper towel before you go in for your interview.
During Your Interview
Relax and take a deep breath because you don’t want to get overly stressed. Head to the restroom before your interview and take a few deep breaths. Remember, you were picked to attend the interview.
Give your interviewer a warm greeting. Say hello to your interviewer and introduce yourself. If appropriate, shake their hands and make eye contact with them. Do your best to not lock eyes for long periods of time.
Smiling can go a long way during an interview. When appropriate, crack a smile during the interview. You will stand a better chance of being hired if you’re perceived as having interpersonal skills.
Here’s a tip: don’t overdo it with smiling. Also, your smile should be a friendly smile. You don’t want to come off as being smug, sly or anything of that nature.
Be enthusiastic and show the interview you’re passionate about your line of work. Let them know you love your job or past jobs. Don’t forget to tell them you are happy about this opportunity.
Show the interviewer why you’re a good match for the job. Be very specific about why you’re the one they should hire. Show them why you’re qualified and how you’re qualified for the position.
Do not panic. Sure, it’s nerve-wracking to be thrown off track with a question you didn’t prepare for. As long as you’re as prepared as possible, you’ll be just fine.
Storytelling is powerful, so share examples if what you have accomplished at your past places of employment. Real-life stories keep interviewers engaged. Not only that, but they will be more intrigued by you.
After Your Interview
After your interview, you should followup with the interviewer. You don’t have to call them, as a simple email message will do the trick. Make sure to state again why you’re the one for the job. This will likely grab the attention of the interviewer and will improve your chances of getting hired.
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