Mastering Your First Impression: A Guide to Successful Job Interview
Imagine yourself entering an office representing your dream job. Your heart is elated but nervous. Your mind is running fast in anticipation but fearing the prospect of loss. Your palms are getting sweaty. And just as you’re about to gather your bearings, you enter the interview hall. As you sit before your interview, his first question is, “How are you doing today?”. All the over-thinking comes crashing in, and you start to stutter.
The next thing you know, the interviewer has changed. They are no longer smiling but want to get it over with. The nervousness has dimmed your first impression and has cost you a job.
The first impression is indeed the last impression. While getting nervous during the interview is natural, it shouldn’t hinder you from having a coherent conversation. Let us list the tips to help you get out of your nervous shell and nail a successful job interview.
Get your Interview Right the First Time
One interviewer is not going to give you multiple chances at attaining success. You need to be precise from the very start. So, follow these tips to get the interview right the first time:
Your Interview Begins When You Leave the House
Do not think your interview begins only when you are facing your interview. It starts when you leave the house. Who knows, maybe you will bump into your interviewer while you enter the office building. So, be in a perpetual state of preparedness when you leave the house. Your mind must be anxiety-free, and your thoughts must be aligned with your goal.
As you leave your house, keep your chest high and your eyes aligned at the front. Breathe slowly and talk to everyone with respect. Be precise in the way you speak and think before every word that comes out of your mouth. These steps trick your mind into entering a relaxed and informed mindset, someone ready to take on the world. This will also help with visualization, which makes talking to the interviewer less intimidating.
Talk to Everyone as if They are Your Interviewer
Going with the same theme of putting your mind in the perpetual state of preparedness, make sure to talk to everyone when you enter the office as if they are interviewing. Be calm, composed, and respectful. Don’t get flustered, and don’t be rude. Be kind to the receptionist and the office boy. This will help you establish an ambience of cooperation around you. The air around the office will change for you, and the interviewer will feel good when you talk to them.
Use Non-Verbal Cues to Create a Strong First Impression
As you go into the interview hall, you will realize that the way you walk will determine your success as much as the way you walk. Walk tall as you enter the interview hall, look the interviewer straight in the eye, and smile confidently (and kindly). Show through your eyes that you appreciate this opportunity and only sit when asked to. Keep taking light, deep breaths, and talk calmly. The positive energy that you’ll exude will be picked up on by the interviewer; they will be more than happy to give you a chance.
When it comes to clothes, go formal, even when the job has everyone dressing casually. You must show that you take the job seriously. If you want to be more specific, go to the interviewer’s website and learn about their dress code. Wear something similar.
Together, your non-verbal cues and dressing sense will project an image of a person who is serious and thankful about the opportunity and wants to do their best. The vibe it gives relaxes the interviewer, who will likely become not too focused on the content of your resume.
Note: Don’t take this tip as an invitation to slouch on your resume. Your resume still needs to be kickass. This point only enforces that the interviewer might get a bit relaxed and lenient if your personality is what the organization seeks.
Don’t Think that You Will Only Talk Business
Have a relaxed mindset, and make sure that you are also ready for a casual conversation with the interviewer. Yes, there is a mindset that the interviewer will only be interested in your qualifications and education. However, how you project yourself is equally important. So, be ready when the interview starts with small talk.
Small talk is the side-tracking of people’s expectations from an interview that stumps some job seekers. To prepare for that, think of the interview as a good acquaintance with whom you’re about to converse. It will help you develop chemistry with the interviewer. Doing so performs two tasks: it lets you establish a rapport with an office worker, and it establishes the kind of person you are.
Always be On Point
Remember to be on point when you’re not engaging in small talk. Don’t think about multiple things, such as “How will I explain my postgraduate degree?” or “What should I say when asked what my job was?”. Instead, focus on two or three key points.
For instance, you can focus on two questions throughout the interview – what can you do for the company, and what are your prospects? This minimalist approach will align your mindset and help you answer every question with a purpose. Another positive aspect of this way of thinking introduction is that it lets you focus on your best attributes and showcase them.
Conclusion
The key to ace an interview is to be precise at all times. The right body language and the right mindset will help you relax. Also, you can’t take the interview as your be-all and end-all. There may be some missteps here and there. You must realize that an interview is an opportunity and be grateful for it. Being full of gratitude will help you non-verbally communicate your intentions better. Your confidence and kindness will exude from your personality, allowing the interviewer to see your worth.