Skills and qualifications are crucial in every job hunting, but leaving a good first impression for the hiring manager or your future employer is what will guarantee you the job. Interviews can surely be a stressful thing even for the most skilled person, and as that first chance can last only a few seconds, internal pressure can break the candidate and lead to failure.
This is why it’s crucial that we seek to encourage ourselves rather than doubting ourselves to try to exude confidence even though we may not feel it at that moment. The feeling you get in the pit of your stomach when you walk out the door thinking you didn’t make the right impression can be disturbing and disappointing and most of us felt it at one point.
Therefore, here are some tips that, as a job hunter, you should do in an interview to put you up in your A-game and leave a great first impression:
Dress up for the impression
- How you appear is how most hiring managers will form an opinion on you instantly. Dressing smart and professional is the first step towards winning interviewers around.
- It is important to know how to dress. It can be very disturbing if you appear overdressed — or under-dressed — at a work interview, so when in doubt, dress a little.
Be on time
- Punctuality is a sign of professionalism and showing up late can show your employer your lack of organisation and you can jeopardize your chances of being hired.
- Being on time helps you build your credibility as a reliable and efficient worker, so make sure to arrive 15 minutes before the interview start time.
Prepare for questions and do some research
- Having a backlog of knowledge about the company can emphasize and show your interest and seriousness about getting a job at this company.
- Aside from that, arriving prepared at the interview for potential common questions and seeming confident can help you impress the interviewer and get the advantage over other applicants.
Show your enthusiasm
- Display your excitement and passion for what you are doing and what you would like to do next time you work. Share your enthusiasm with the interviewer and what makes you excited, and back it up with facts. Show how positive you are in front of him.
Remember, confirming a positive first impression is easier than turning a negative impression into a positive one, particularly within the time constraints of an interview. As the popular saying goes: “You’re never given a second chance to make a first impression.” Make yours count!
References:
https://www.robertwalters.co.uk/career-advice/interview-tips/first-impressions-advice-article.html
https://www.thebalancecareers.com/best-impression-at-an-interview-2060572
