Psychologically speaking, the first impression refers to the event when an individual meets a new person and forms a mental image of that person. Surface-level factors like physical appearances, dressing style, body language, greetings play a very important role in developing the first impression.
It is very common and natural to alter the first impression after getting familiar with a person. However, we cannot deny the huge role of the first impression, especially in situations like job or college interviews. This is because, in interviews, interviewers have very limited time to judge the potential of a candidate. Hence, making an excellent and memorable first impression is among the top three things that determine conversion.
How to create a positive first impression?
Several textbooks will suggest you various techniques of impression management. However, you should be very cautious when you try them out in an interview. For instance, if you try ingratiation in an interview, there is a very high possibility that it will work against you. This is because the interviewers are likely to be experienced people and they will see through your trick. Hence, you need to be very subtle in your impression management efforts.
Here is a list of tips you may find useful in creating a good first impression:
Be on time
During an interview, it is probably better to arrive 1 hour early as compared to being 1 minute late. This is because your presence on time stresses that the interview and later the job is important for you. Do not call the office for a later appointment, unless it is absolutely necessary. Being punctual also shows that you are a responsible, trustworthy and reliable person.
Dress professionally
You do not need to wear branded clothes and watches. However, make sure that you are appropriately dressed. You may choose to wear a shirt over a T-shirt. In many countries, it is normal for women to be dressed in their traditional attire too. For instance, in India, women typically prefer to wear a traditional kurta or a saree over a business suit.
It is a wise decision to wear comfortable clothes. An extremely tight-fitting outfit may make you uncomfortable and negatively impact your interview. While you do not need to apply make-up and go with flawless skin, you should not look unkempt. Do not forget to wear polished shoes as interviewers are likely to notice your shoes too.
Carry a bag
Appearing messy and clumsy is the last thing you would want in an interview. You will most certainly need to carry your school, college and previous work experience certificates. Hence, in order to appear organized, consider carrying a bag containing your certificates. Considering the importance of technology, you may also choose to carry your laptop to show your work in progress to the interviewers.
Smile
It is normal to be a little anxious before your interview. However, do not let anxiety control you. Enter the room with a smile and greet all the members of the panel. However, do not overdo this. Once the greeting is over, do not continue smiling unnecessarily, unless the interviewers use humor.
Be prepared
There is a high chance that the interviewers would ask you about your motivation to appear for the interview. Be prepared for questions like, ” Why this company?”; “Why this job?”, “Why now?”
In addition, prepare impressive and unique answers for questions like, “Where do you want to be in 5 years?” These questions can be tricky and the smart answer depends on the context. In sum, there are no right or wrong answers to these questions. However, you need to be tactful and answer them in a humorous manner.
Also, be prepared with all technical and subject-matter knowledge regarding your area of study and the job. You may expect questions on your hobbies or other areas of expertise you mentioned in your Statement of Purpose.
Do not lie or exaggerate
At times you may face a probe question on your degree or experience. For instance, if you have some temporal gaps in your educational life, please tell the panel the truth behind the gap year(s). They may do a background check and if you lie, it is going to work against you.
In addition, do not exaggerate your skills. For instance, if you know C++ but not Python do not claim you know both. This is because a follow-up question is likely to reveal the truth. Exaggeration and lying will create a negative first impression and decrease your chances of getting selected.
Make eye contact
Always make eye contact with the interviewers especially while answering a question. However, do not stare at them. You may occasionally shift your gaze to other interviewers. If you are asked to present to an audience as a part of the selection process and too many people in the audience are scary for you, you may choose to look at the forehead of people. This will make the person sitting in the front row think you are looking at the person sitting at the back and the person sitting at the back will think you are looking at the person sitting in the front.
Mimic the emotional expressions of the interviewers
A word of caution before I proceed: Try this only if you are sure of what emotion the interviewers are expressing. Individuals with low emotional intelligence may go wrong here and it is likely to have tremendous negative implications. For instance, if the interviewers smile or laugh, be sure whether they are being funny or sarcastic.
Mimicking the expressions of the interviewers is likely to make them like you more. Research shows that when an individual mimics another individual, the latter likes the former more.
Body language
Interviewers notice your body language more than you think they will. They have an eye on you from the moment you enter the room. Some of the things to keep in mind are:
- Ask for permission before entering.
- Do not sit on the edge of the chair.
- Please do not cross your arms.
- Avoid fidgeting with your things.
- Do not use a fake accent.
- Try not to touch your face and hair.
Be confident
You need to be confident in an interview and that should reflect in your speech and body language. Even if you are nervous, you need to be fluent in your speech. Try speaking slowly if you are too nervous. In case you do not know the answers to some questions, tell them so. Nobody knows everything. It is fine to not know a few things. Do not be shy to inform them about your recent accomplishments. Be humble.
Be positive
With the increase in stress and anxiety in the workplace, organizations want employees who have a positive outlook towards life. Hence, you must remain positive in the interview. In sum, you need to have a half-glass-full attitude in the interview.
Be courteous and attentive
The most successful people in the world are polite and attentive. Hence, you need to be polite to the interviewers. Even if you are senior in age or experience to one or more interviewers, you must not be rude or impolite. You need to be respectful. Also, do not be so engrossed in speaking that you forget to listen to their question. Never interrupt the interviewers when they say something. Try to be a good listener as well.
Develop the “Tell us about yourself” speech
Most interviews are likely to begin with this question. If you go unprepared, you may under-represent yourself or end up exaggerating. None of the two are desirable. You need to humbly point out your talents, abilities and achievements. This is possible only if you prepare ahead of time.
Put your phone away
While you may be very proud and protective of your phone, you need to keep it in your bag, in silent mode or switched off during the interview. This is because your phone will distract you if it lies on the table in front of you. In addition, it will distract your interviewers if it rings or vibrates in the middle of the interview. This will have a negative impact. In case you need to show a digital copy of some documents to your interviewers, you may choose to carry your laptop or take a print of the same. Do not use the phone for any purpose during your interview.
Pitch, tone and volume
These three aspects are very crucial for communication. Men and women have a fixed pitch of their voice. Women, in general have a higher pitch than men. Your natural pitch is fine. Do not try to modulate it to sound more manly or womanly.
Regarding tone, you just need to be polite and humble. Try a mock with your friends or family.
As far as volume is concerned, you need to be loud enough to be heard but not so loud that it disturbs the ears. In general, the higher your pitch, the louder you sound. Hence, you may modulate your volume accordingly. Do not speak too softly, as that may indicate low confidence or low interest.
Know your audience
It is important to know your audience if you are expected to present during the interview. You may have to modify your content depending on the expertise and background of your audience. If you know someone who has already appeared for an interview in the same place, talk to them and find out what they generally ask. Most companies have a typical pattern.
Call people by their correct name
In case you are from a culture where you call your colleagues and bosses with their first name, be sure to call them by their correct name. Pronounce the name correctly. In case you do not know how to pronounce their name, ask them how they pronounce it.
Do not gossip
It is not wise to gossip in an interview. Do not say anything mean or bad about your previous employer or members of a particular social group. Try to sound professional and stress on work-related matters even if the interviewers try to gossip with you and elicit information about your previous or current employer or any other social group.
Sleep well the night before
If you want to follow all the above guidelines for making a good first impression and also be able to answer all subject-matter questions, you need a fresh mind. Sleep for at least 7 hours the night before. This will make sure that you have had adequate rest to sustain long and difficult interviews.
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