HOW TO IMPRESS AT AN INTERVIEW

You have done the work. You spent countless hours sending out resumes and finally landed the necessary interview. Now you want to make a good first impression at your interview. What exactly constitutes a good first impression?

1. Dress appropriately. Even in today’s more casual offices, you should always wear a suit to an interview. If your suit is from the 90’s, go out and buy a new suit. Styles have changed so much, it’s time to update your wardrobe. This could be the difference between your getting the job and them not taking you seriously.

2. Be early. Respect their time. If you are on time, then you are late. So, be early but not too early. What’s too early? More than ten minutes is considered too early. You don’t want them thinking you have all the time in the world and nothing going on in your life. If you arrive earlier than ten minutes, sit in your car and relax until you need to go inside.

3. Do your research. There is nothing that will make you look less prepared, then the interviewer asking you a question about his company or industry and you not knowing what he is talking about. You can entice him by providing this information, while answering a question, without having to be led to it, which will make you appear knowledgeable. You also need to have questions that you will also ask the interviewer at the end. So think of these ahead of time.

4. Be polite to the receptionist. She is your first contact with the company, so smile and be courteous. You never know who she is. She could be filling in for the receptionist who is at lunch and might be the one interviewing you. Or she could be related to someone who works there. Either way, she talks to other people at the company, and you want her to say only good things about you.

5. Have a good handshake. There is nothing worse than meeting someone who doesn’t know how to properly shake another person’s hand. It infuriates me, even in my personal life, when I meet someone, and she gives me the limp or finger handshake. It tells a lot about a person’s personality. It is difficult for the other person to warm up to you once he is off put by your handshake. Make sure you have a firm, confidence handshake. If you don’t know if yours measures up, practice with a friend.

Most of us are nervous going to a job interview. We want to present our best to who could be our future employer. In order to
calm your nerves, have the above tips mastered. You will be in front of the competition, and well on your way to landing that job you’ve dreamed about for so long.