How to Make a Great First Impression In an Interview
You have the opportunity to establish a positive first impression throughout the interview process by the way you speak, act, and listen. It’s critical to make the most of this opportunity if you want to acquire a job and impress your new coworkers.
What is a first impression?
After their first interaction with you, someone’s first thought or judgment about who you are is called a first impression. The way you look, what you dress, how you speak, and your general emotional state can all influence someone’s first impression of you. When applying for a new job, the way you present yourself on your application, CV, and during an interview can all have an impact on the recruiter’s and hiring manager’s early impressions of who you are.
How do you make a good first impression:
- Begin by doing some research on the firm and the interviewers: Knowing crucial facts about the firm you’re interviewing with can help you feel more confident during your interview. Using the company’s website, social media posts, and current press releases, you can get a good sense of the company’s aims and how your background fits in. A successful job search requires thorough research about possible employers. This study is useful at three stages of the job search: first, when selecting what type of employer you want to work for, then when you’re sure want to apply, and finally, when you’re interviewing and your knowledge about the firm is put to the test.
How do I do my research?
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- Seek out businesses that share your ideals.
- Look into the company’s employee benefits.
- Find out about the company’s operations.
- Look into the company’s management.
- Expand your search to include current events and news.
- Inquire about the thoughts of your friends and family.
- Look for red flags in the news headlines.
- Understand the type of company you want to work for.
- Be strategic in how you share your research in an interview.
- Prepare responses to frequent interview questions by practicing them: Prepare a response to the question, “Tell me about yourself, and why are you interested in this position with our company?” The goal is to rapidly express who you are and what value you’ll bring to the organization and role. Preparing points to talk on for typical interview questions might make you feel more prepared and confident. While each interviewer is unique, and questions may alter depending on the position and industry, there are a few common questions you should anticipate and prepare for, such as “Tell me about yourself.”
Common interview questions include:
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- Can you explain the gaps in your resume?
- Are you willing to embark on a journey?
- Are you concerned that you may be overqualified for this position?
- Would you be willing to work nights and weekends if the opportunity arose?
- What characteristics distinguish an excellent leader?
- What are your objectives for the first 30 days on the job?
- Describe an instance when you were irritated at work.
- Describe an instance when you had to provide a difficult piece of feedback to someone.
- Describe an instance when you and your supervisor disagreed.
- Would you ever tell a firm a lie?
- Tell me about a time at work when you had to cope with a difficult circumstance.
- What is the name of our chief executive officer?
- I’m not sure what questions I haven’t asked you yet.
- What are your impressions of our firm?
- What is your motivation for changing careers?
- Could you go through your resume with us?
- Why are you interested in our company?
- Which manager was your favorite, and why?
- Who are our main rivals?
- Why do you think you’re the best choice for this job?
- What do you believe your greatest personal achievement to be?
- In ten years, where do you see yourself?
- How well-versed are you in our field?. These and many more.
- Make a list of all the references you’ll need. Before or after your interview, your interviewers may ask you to submit a list of references. Preparing a reference list ahead of time can assist you in completing this stage swiftly and moving forward in the hiring process.
You may be wondering what a reference list is. Well, a resume reference list is a document that lists professional references and gives contact and background information. During the hiring process, recruiters and hiring Coordinators may call persons on your reference list to discover more about your professional experience, work performance, and other information about the type of worker you are.
People who can be included in a reference list:
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- Manager or immediate supervisor, current or past
- Coworker (current or former)
- Employees/direct reports (current or previous)
- Advisor for academics
- A mentor in your profession.
When deciding who to add to your reference list, make sure you’re comfortable with them knowing you’re looking for a new job, especially if they’re someone you work with presently.
Note that you should only submit a reference list with your resume if the job posting specifically requests them. Wait for a request from a recruiter or hiring manager if you don’t get one.
- Read the job description once more. It’s a good idea to print it out and start highlighting the skills the employer is searching for. Consider examples from your previous and current work that meet these criteria. Questions about what you think you are supposed to be doing in the position you are seeking may come up, and not being well informed of the basics, is a minus mark for you.
- When answering questions, use the STAR approach: Prepare to be asked about occasions in the past when you used a specific talent, and present tales with a clear Situation, Task, Action, and Result using the STAR approach.
To prepare for behavioral interviews, you might use the STAR interview method, which is a methodology that helps you frame your responses to behavioral interview questions. In using this strategy, your interviewers can easily understand what you are describing or saying.
Situation: What is your story’s setting? When you establish the scene, you’re telling your listener when and where the incident occurred.
Task: What role did you play in this situation?
Action: What did you do?
Result: What was the outcome of your actions?
This is the STAR strategy.
- To practice answering questions, enlist the help of a friend: It’s a proven fact that practicing your answers aloud is the most effective approach to prepare. Say them out loud or enlist the help of a buddy to go over the questions and answers with you. As you grow used to saying the words, you’ll notice that you acquire confidence.
- Prepare intelligent interview questions. It’s a two-way street when it comes to job interviews. Employers want to know that you’re genuinely considering working there, so they expect you to ask questions. Some questions to ask may include:
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- Could you describe some of the responsibilities of this position on a day-to-day basis?
- How would you describe someone who would be a good fit for this job?
- If I were in this job, what criteria would be utilized to evaluate my performance? Do you do it regularly?
- What departments does this team collaborate with regularly?
- How do these divisions usually work together?
- What does that procedure entail?
- What are the current problems you’re dealing with in your position?
- The night before your interview, think about what you’ll wear: If you communicate with a recruiter before the interview, you can inquire about the company’s dress code and plan your clothing accordingly. If you don’t have somebody to ask, do some research about the company to find out what’s acceptable. Remember to shine your shoes, keep your nails neat, and inspect your clothing for holes, stains, pet hair, and loose threads.
- Bring a notebook and pen, as well as copies of your CV: In the case of several interviewees, bring at least five copies of your printed résumé on clean paper. On your copy, highlight key accomplishments that you can quickly refer to and discuss. Take a pen and a small notebook with you. Make a mental note to take notes, but not on your phone or any other technological device. Make a list of specifics so you may refer to them in your follow-up thank-you notes. As much as possible, keep your gaze fixed on you.
- Make time in your calendar to arrive 10–15 minutes early: Make a plan to get to the interview place on time by mapping out your route. Consider performing a trial run. If you use public transportation, make a contingency plan in case of challenges that could cause you to delay. If you arrive early, make use of the extra time to study the office dynamics.
- Respect everyone you come into contact with: This comprises drivers and parking lot attendants, as well as security and front-desk personnel. Everyone you don’t know should be treated as if they’re the recruiting manager. Even if they aren’t, your prospective employer may inquire about their opinions.
- Your sincerity and optimism will win them over: Many people establish an opinion of you within only a few minutes of meeting you. It’s crucial to greet the interviewer with a warm and cheerful greeting, a professional introduction, and a solid handshake(if there is an opportunity for it) when you first meet them. A warm grin and a clear introduction of who you are should be included in your greeting.
Being real during interviews might help employers relate to you more easily. Keeping the interview light and helpful can be as simple as smiling and using optimistic body language. Throughout, maintain a confident demeanor and warm smile.
- Keep your answers succinct and targeted: Because your time with each interviewer is limited, avoid rambling. Preparing your replies to frequently asked questions ahead of time can help you stay focused. Answer all of the questions honestly. While it may be tempting to exaggerate your qualifications and achievements, interviewers find honesty refreshing and admirable. Concentrate on your significant assets and how your past qualifies you for the role. Also, when giving responses, relate your responses to your abilities and achievements. It’s critical to tie your history to the position with examples of solutions and results you’ve produced when responding to any query. Take advantage of every opportunity to address the job description’s needs.
- Do not make disparaging remarks about your prior employers: Companies are looking for problem solvers who can work through adversity. If you’re dissatisfied with your current employment, talk about what you’ve learned from it and what you want to do next.
- Inquire about the steps that will follow: Following your interview, you should inquire about your next steps with your interviewer, hiring manager, or recruiter. This will almost certainly be a follow-up email with the results of your interview and any further needs, like a list of references, an assignment, or another interview.
- Follow up after the interview: Follow up by sending an email, letter, or phone call to make the best impression and demonstrate you care about this possibility. Reiterate why you’re a great candidate for the job, in addition to thanking them for the interview.
First impressions are crucial because human nature encourages us to hold on to our first impressions of others, and it can be difficult to change our minds even when the other person gives evidence to the contrary. As a result, we must be aware of the impression we provide when we meet someone for the first time in an interview or at work.
You should continue to make a solid first impression once you obtain the job offer and begin working in that role. You will meet new coworkers and supervisors on your first day, and you may interact with clients. To establish a strong first impression, apply the same strategies you did during the interview process. This can aid in the development of long-term professional partnerships.
