Making a Great First Impression

The need to make a great first impression should be a familiar concept. You have probably been given some version of this advice since you were in high school:

Make a great first impression, so their mental image of you is unforgettable.

When you make a great impression, someone will remember you more and better understand who you are. But first impressions cut both ways. If you make a terrible first impression, they will remember you for that and not take you seriously. Tips for walking into an interview and making an excellent first impression include:

• Introduce yourself with a firm handshake
• Look and feel confident
• Keep eye contact
• Always smile
• Have a good and inviting posture

Typical interviews will start with questions to get to know you as a person before more in-depth inquiries about your experience and why you could be an asset to their company. Frequently asked get-to-know-you questions the interviewer may lead with include:

• “Tell me about yourself.”
• “What is your greatest weakness?”
• “Why should we hire you?”

Practice answering these and other common questions before going into your interview. It will show the employer that you came prepared and are serious about landing this job. You want to avoid saying “Umm” or looking into space to think about what you are about to say.

Finally, don’t forget that job interviews are a two-way street. Once you’ve prepared for how to dress, your mannerisms, and how you will answer the questions asked, you should also consider what questions to ask your interviewer. In many ways, these can mirror the questions you were asked. Examples include:

• Why do you enjoy working at this company?
• What are you looking for in a candidate?
• Can you tell me about your leadership style?

They say it’s a candidate’s market out there now, but that also means it’s competitive. So put your best foot forward with this guidance, and good luck!