HOW TO…MAKE A GOOD IMPRESSION AT INTERVIEW
Creating a connection with your interviewer is likely to have a large impact on whether or not they wish to do business with you – so learning the skill of creating good rapport should be one of your priorities as an interviewee.
In an interview situation you can employ numerous techniques to maximize the rapport between yourself and your interviewer.
BE PUNCTUAL
Ideally you should arrive at least ten minutes early. This will give you time to compose yourself and relax.
FIRST IMPRESSIONS COUNT
Whether we like it not, judgments are made about us by the way we look, our clothes, hair, facial expressions, and our posture. These decisions will usually be made within the first few seconds of meeting with you. Even before you speak, your interviewer will be absorbing non-verbal clues about you. You will be judged by how you stand, how you walk, how you shake hands, how you smile, and how you sit. That’s why it’s important to plan your clothes, and even how you comb your hair before a meeting.
TAKE AN INTEREST
Focus on the interviewer as a person and your overall attitude is likely to become more genuine. Remember to:
Smile when you first see your interviewer
Establish and maintain eye contact
Be the first to say hello and extend your hand
Deliver a sincere greeting
Use the person’s name
Do more listening than talking.
BE CLEAR AND CONCISE
Listen carefully to each question and answer them fully, giving relevant examples where necessary. Speak clearly and take your time to think before you answer. Do not be afraid to ask the interviewer to repeat the question or to clarify if you do not understand exactly what it is they are asking.
FOLLOW UP
In some circumstances it can be a good idea to follow up on an interview with an email thanking the company for taking the time to meet you. This enforces your interest in the job and demonstrates a commitment.
ASK FOR FEEDBACK
If you don’t succeed in getting the job ask for feedback on the interview. Use it as a learning experience and assess what you can improve on for future interviews.
Creating a connection with your interviewer is likely to have a large impact on whether or not they wish to do business with you, so learning the skill of creating good rapport should be one of your priorities as an interviewee.
In an interview situation you can employ numerous techniques to maximize the rapport between yourself and your interviewer.
BE PUNCTUAL
Ideally you should arrive at least ten minutes early. This will give you time to compose yourself and relax.
FIRST IMPRESSIONS COUNT
Whether we like it not, judgments are made about us by the way we look, our clothes, hair, facial expressions, and our posture. These decisions will usually be made within the first few seconds of meeting with you.
Even before you speak, your interviewer will be absorbing non-verbal clues about you. You will be judged by how you stand, how you walk, how you shake hands, how you smile, and how you sit.
That’s why it’s important to plan your clothes, and even how you comb your hair before a meeting.
TAKE AN INTEREST
Focus on the interviewer as a person and your overall attitude is likely to become more genuine.
Remember to:
Smile when you first see your interviewer
Establish and maintain eye contact
Be the first to say hello and extend your hand
Deliver a sincere greeting
Use the person’s name
Do more listening than talking.
BE CLEAR AND CONCISE
Listen carefully to each question and answer them fully, giving relevant examples where necessary.
Speak clearly and take your time to think before you answer. Do not be afraid to ask the interviewer to repeat the question or to clarify if you do not understand exactly what it is they are asking.
FOLLOW UP
In some circumstances it can be a good idea to follow up on an interview with an email thanking the company for taking the time to meet you. This enforces your interest in the job and demonstrates a commitment.
ASK FOR FEEDBACK
If you don’t succeed in getting the job ask for feedback on the interview. Use it as a learning experience and assess what you can improve on for future interviews.
