First Impressions

When you arrive to the interview, your first impression is critical to landing the position.  By now, you understand the importance about dressing professionally, the next thing that is important is your opening line and handshake.  When interviewing, this “First Impression” time frame lasts until you are seated in the interview room until about 5 minutes into the interview.

Greet the interviewer in friendly way, smile and shake their hand, thanking them for taking the time to interview you.  When you shake a person’s hand, it’s important to give good eye contact, smile and have a firm grip.  How many times have you shook a hand and felt like it was a little, “weak” to you?  Did you think they were a person of strong character or a little wimpy?  Unfortunately, it’s true, we have to have a strong handshake in the American business culture to be recognized as a strong candidate.  Something else to keep in mind is you do not want to grip the recipients hand so strongly that you hurt them.  A firm, solid grip that lasts for about 3-5 seconds is sufficient.  And men, when shaking a woman’s hand, be a little gentler than with your male counterparts.  Women, don’t just lay your hand in the interviewers hand, give it a little shake and you will get a little more respect.  If you aren’t sure how “good” your handshake is, ask some friends for some feedback.

Small talk on the way to the interview is essential.  It breaks the ice and typically helps put you at ease.  A good interviewer will ask easy questions like, “Did you have a hard time finding the place?”  Take the time to respond in a friendly tone answering that you had no trouble at all finding the place.  Don’t complain about the traffic, weather or location of the building.  Remember, you want to make a positive first impression!  Complaining gets you nowhere, and if you complain first thing, they will be more skeptical of your attitude.  Remember, they are looking for someone to positively impact their team.  Instead of complaining, say how nice the office is (or neighborhood or the receptionist).  Be positive!

Another to-do to establish a good first impression is to smile and say hi to those you come in contact with at the prospective employer’s office.  This includes the receptionist, the security guard or whomever you come in contact with at the facility.  The interviewer may follow up with them after they walk you to the door to see what they thought of you.  They are a part of the organization and at a good company, everyone’s opinion is valued.