A Positive And Confident Attitude Will Help You Get the Job
While most everyone is aware that you should dress well and appear well-groomed for a job interview, there are other steps that will help you to make the best impression possible. The five steps below can help you know how to make a good first impression at job interviews.
- Use a firm handshake when greeting your interviewer. When you meet your interviewer, make sure to greet him with a firm handshake because a limp handshake will leave a weak impression. There is a psychology to first impressions and interviewers pay close attention to everything about you. How you shake an interviewer's hand may sound like a trivial thing but interviewers with companies offering employment will tell you that a firm handshake is far more impressive to them than a "limp-fish" handshake. A firm handshake will be one of your most important interview techniques.
- Look your interviewer in the eye. Eye contact also makes a big difference in how you are perceived by an interviewer. By looking your interviewer in the eye, you demonstrate confidence in yourself, plus you are making him aware that you are listening closely to what he says. This also tells him that you have good communication skills, will take instruction well and are a willing learner. If you look away while an interviewer is talking to you, this will leave an impression that you are a timid person rather than a person of confidence.
- Rehearse answers to questions you may be asked. Most interviewers will ask you general questions in regard to your interest in working for their company and so it is a good idea to consider any questions they might ask you ahead of time and rehearse your answers in advance. Some of the key questions an interviewer might ask may include ones in regard to why you feel you are suited for the position you are applying for. They may also ask you what you know about their company and the types of products or services they offer. If you are asked such questions and seem to not know much about them and their products, this can leave a weak impression. Demonstrating knowledge about their company and expressing it in an interested and excited way leaves a far better impression.
- Ask interested questions about the company and express your interest and excitement in working for the company. Make your interviewer aware that you have learned about his company and would be excited to work for the company. Ask questions about rewards for hard steady work, such as opportunities for advancement for accomplished employees. Express interest in learning everything possible and ask questions about the training program (such as what products and services you will be trained in). Questions you should avoid asking (and let the interviewer volunteer the information) would be questions such as how vacation time and sick leave are earned or how much insurance coverage the benefits package contains. Your interviewer will inform you of these particulars.
- Leave the interview by expressing appreciation to your interviewer for taking time with you and reaffirm your interest in the position. Make sure you tell your interviewer that the time spent with her was interesting and informative and that you appreciate her taking time with you. This is also the time to give her another firm handshake before you leave the interview. Also express that you hope to hear from her soon and that she can reach you at her convenience. It can also impress an interviewer to hear the prospective employee express to her that he feels he could do a great job and would be grateful for an opportunity to show how well he would do as an employee.
These are steps that can increase your chances of being hired. Having a positive and confident attitude are key factors in making these steps work for you.
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Comments
James,
What you state about making a good first impression at job interviews is right-on-target from my perspective, including the importance, as you express, for communicating a positive and confident attitude. Every job applicant can benefit from adhering to each of your well-stated five steps.
I would like to add that, as you note, everyone nowadays is aware of the value of proper dress and proper grooming for job interviews, but there are many additional dimensions and dynamics associated with good looks at the time of interview and afterwards. Although it often makes people uncomfortable or sometimes even angry to admit that a person’s physical attractiveness has a corresponding impact on employers and potential employers, to deny that fact or not to be aware of it will not make it go away or minimize it.
From the many research studies conducted across the United States and literally around the world, it is rather clear that a person’s physical attractiveness (basically, those looks with which we are born and then which we alter and which, of course, aging also alters) can significantly affect workplace perceptions, treatments and office politics, as well as hiring decisions, promotions and incomes.
People need not be defenseless.
First, despite the feelings of some people, it is important that people don’t overstress and let fear or anxiety irrationally overpower them when thinking about their physical attractiveness and the appearance of others who may also be applying for the same job and being interviewed by the same person.
Second, it can be invaluable to keep in mind that small differences in a person’s physical attractiveness can translate into big consequences for career success. A complete makeover is neither necessary nor likely appropriate to reap benefits of looking better during the interview, as well as later at work once hired.
Third, much of the successful outcome of an interview is interrelated with many factors and improvements in interpersonal styles, attitude, personality, self-esteem or self-confidence, and even education achievements can increase a person’s physical attractiveness as judged by others and by oneself…all then leading to a good first impression at job interviews leading to opportunities to make great impressions on the job once progressing successfully through the interview.
Dr. Gordon Patzer
author of "Looks: Why They Matter More Than You Ever Imagined"
