Are You Making a Positive or Negative First Impression During Your Interview?
Studies show that the first impression that people make has a lasting effect on how people remember and think about others. In fact, the first impression generally never goes away, which is probably where the saying, “You never get a second chance to make a first impression” originates. This is especially true when it comes to job interviews. The way candidates present themselves, even If just meeting a recruiter for a few minutes, can dictate the course of their career.
The last time you had a job interview, did you worry about the kind of first impression you made on the recruiter? Maybe you dressed well, brought your best resume copy, and put on a brave face – but somehow you left wondering how things went? It could be that you are not sure of whether or not you know how to make a positive impression on others.
Here are some tips for making a better first impression during interviews, and parting with a positive memory to support your career goals.
- Always be punctual. Recruiters are on tight schedules, so they look favorably upon candidates who show up early or on time.
- Look the part. Dress like you already work here. Look over the company website and try to dress just a little better (polos instead of t-shirts, khakis instead of jeans).
- Smile and use eye contact. You will appear to have a warm and friendly personality, and this helps you to develop rapport quickly with others.
- Listen and ask relevant questions. An interview is not an interrogation session. It’s your chance to show you can listen and answer questions well, and you can respond with a few related questions of your own to show genuine interest.
By the way, if you were called back to interview again, you probably did a great job during your interview. If you have not heard back, well, just chalk it up as a good experience and try to do better next time.
About Personnel Staffing, Inc.
We are committed to customizing employment solutions for our customers and employees. Each unique partnership will encompass a quality relationship with respect to our core values. If you’re looking for a change of pace, whether it’s a vertical or horizontal career change, trust the experts and contact Personnel Staffing, Inc. today!
