June 13, 2018

The way you present yourself paints a picture in the mind of your interviewer. It helps to establish yourself as professional and on top of your game—also friendly and confident. The first impression you create will stick with someone for long after they’ve met you, so make yours a good one. It will help you stay top of mind and get hired, either now or for future opportunities.

Five ways to make a good first impression

These tried-and-true tactics will help you make a winning first impression with an interviewer or recruiter:

  1. Dress nicely. There’s no substitute for a clean, pressed and professional appearance. In most cases, your best bet is an interview suit with a fresh, new haircut, and minimal jewelry or fragrance. But depending on your industry, it may be more appropriate to interview in less formal attire, such as a dress shirt and dress pants (or a skirt for women).
  2. Arrive a little early. This way, you’ll be sure to be on time. Showing up late is frowned upon and shows a lack of respect for the other person’s time.
  3. Smile and shake hands. When you first meet your interviewer or recruiter, offer a smile, introduce yourself and shake hands. Practice a firm handshake. This always sets the meeting off on a positive note.
  4. Be confident. The best way to do this is to prepare for your interview by practicing questions and answers, researching the company, preparing 3–5 good questions to ask, and bringing copies of your resume and cover letter. There’s no need to be over-the-top and arrogant, but it’s always good to be upbeat and outgoing.
  5. Be positive and passionate. Because this is who an employer wants to hire. If you’re yawning through the interview and your attention is drifting, an interviewer wonders what you’ll be like on the job. But if you’re positive and truly interested in the conversation, you’ll appear as an asset to the company.

You get out of it what you put into it

Interview techniques come with practice—and the more you work on yours, the easier (and more successful) your interviews will be. Until the day when you no longer have to go on them because you’ve found your permanent, full-time job!

Looking for something new?

Check out Inter-Connect. We place qualified candidates with opportunities in the Tri-State area. Light industrial work and office/administrative positions are our specialties. To learn more, contact us today!

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