First impressions in a job interview count for a lot. In fact, in some cases, a bad first impression might mean you don’t get the job even if the rest of the interview goes well. Equally, a good first impression can significantly mitigate a disastrous interview and you could get the job regardless.
However, as you might expect, first impressions are only the start. If you want to all but guarantee that you get the job you are interviewing for, you’ll need to give a good first impression combined with an excellent interview. Don’t leave anything to chance.
To do this, you really need to impress the interviewer. This is no mean feat, particularly when you are nervous as you certainly will be during an interview. However, proper preparation and knowing what you’ll need to do to impress (from the beginning to the end of the interview) will help you massively. With that in mind, read on to find out how you can impress in an interview to land the role you want.
Have A Good Handshake
One of the best ways to start an interview on the right foot is to have a good handshake. No one feels good about offering up a sweaty hand or giving a flimsy handshake, and if that’s how you would normally do things, you’ll probably already know that this will make you even more nervous and potentially be something that’s on your mind the entire time, meaning you can’t concentrate on the rest of the interview. Plus, the interviewer won’t be impressed if you show how little confidence you have in your handshake.
Whoever is interviewing you will know that you’re nervous because that’s only natural, and they might even be nervous themselves, especially if they’re not used to interviewing people. However, in order to impress in an interview, you mustn’t let your nerves show or get the better of you. A firm handshake shows confidence and will start the interview off on the right note. This is why it’s a good idea to practice your handshake before you get to the interview, and to have a tissue in your pocket or purse to dry your hands if they are damp.
Do Your Research
Another way to impress in a job interview is to do plenty of research before it begins. Firstly, you’ll need to know about the company you are hoping to work for. Even if the question never comes up in the interview, having this knowledge will ensure that your answers to various questions will align with the company’s values and goals. Of course, if you do have the opportunity to show that you know about the organization’s history or more about what it does, you should always talk about it. Never worry that you’re going too far or that you’re ‘showing off’ in an interview. It’s better to do this and impress than it is to hold knowledge back and underwhelm.
You’ll also need to research the role you are applying for. This should be done in a general sense if it is something that many organizations ask for, but it should also be done specifically relating to the job ad that you answered. Make sure you keep a copy of this and use it as the basis of the research you’ll need to do. Work out how to ensure you can confirm that you tick all the boxes when it comes to the ideal candidate.
Dress Appropriately
If you’re not sure what to wear for a job interview, a good place to start is usually to look at what the other workers are wearing (if you have a chance to see them before the interview, of course) or to ask what the dress code is. In this way, you can show that you are able to fit in with the company culture and that you understand how to dress for work. The employer won’t have to worry that you need further explanation, and it will show that you are already paying attention to how things work and what the rules are.
If you’re unable to determine what the dress code is, it’s always best to dress up rather than down. In other words, wear something smart and formal rather than jeans and a t-shirt. Even if you’ve gone too formal compared to what others might be wearing around you, it shows a certain level of respect and seriousness about the job that will always go down well and impress during the interview. If you are aware of what the dress code is and it is very informal, again, dress up for the reasons we have already given. You don’t want to give people the idea that you don’t care about the job or that you aren’t trying hard to do your best in the interview.
Arrive Early
One of the worst things you can do is to arrive late for an interview. You’ll be stressed and anxious, you’ll be even more nervous than you were before, and you might even be out of breath and sweaty if you have had to run to get to the interview. None of this will be impressive. Being late for an interview is disrespectful, and it shows you’re unable to plan ahead. Being prepared is crucial for any job; if you can’t do it for the interview, it won’t bode well in the interviewer’s head for the job itself.
Even arriving on time isn’t enough. You’ll have to go straight from arriving into the interview, and you may not have had enough time to gather your thoughts and make sure you look presentable.
This is why it’s best to arrive early. Just ten or fifteen minutes is plenty of time to ensure you can sit calmly and collect yourself before your interview begins. You can have something to drink, read through your resume (which you should bring with you to remind you of everything on it – it’s true these are your experiences, but it’s easy to forget important things like your development goals for work when you’re nervous), and get centered before the interview begins. Plus, it will show the interviewer that you do know how to plan and that you’re taking your time and theirs seriously.
On a related note, what should you do if your interview doesn’t start on time, even if you were there with time to spare? The choice will always be yours, assuming you are offered the job, but it is worth bearing in mind because it might show that the company is not going to respect its employees or that there is no organization within the business to speak of. Do you want to work at a place like that?
Ask Questions
At the end of most interviews, the interviewer will ask if there are any questions you might have. It can be tempting to say no because you just want to get outside and take some deep breaths, but the wisest course of action – the one that will impress the most – is to say yes. You don’t need to have a long list of questions (just one can be enough), but the fact that you are asking is a sign that you are interested and that you were listening.
Of course, in order to be able to ask a question or two, you might want to prepare those questions in advance. This will save you from worrying about coming up with any during the interview. However, if something pertinent does come up, you should certainly ask about it.
This is another chance to highlight the research you’ve done and ensure the interviewer knows you understand exactly how the business works.