Making a great first impression in an interview is crucial for landing your dream job. You want to show that you are confident, competent, and compatible with the company culture. But how can you do that in a short time and under pressure? Here are some tips for improving your decision-making skills and impressing your potential employer.
Before you go to the interview, do some homework on the company. Learn about its mission, vision, values, products, and achievements. This will help you tailor your answers to their expectations and show that you are genuinely interested in working for them. You can also prepare some relevant questions to ask at the end of the interview to demonstrate your curiosity and enthusiasm.
Transparencia, respeto, capacidad y actitud. Coincidir con la cultura de una empresa es una de las cosas mas gratificantes en el ámbito laboral. Son importantes los tips mencionados, claro. pero, la autenticidad me resulta más imprescindible, no se puede permanecer o dar lo mejor en donde no es tu lugar.
Your appearance can make a big difference in how you are perceived by the interviewer. You want to dress professionally and appropriately for the role and the industry. Avoid wearing anything too casual, flashy, or revealing. Choose clothes that fit well, are clean and ironed, and match the company's dress code. You can also accessorize with a simple watch, a pen, and a portfolio or folder with your resume and references.
Being punctual is a sign of respect and reliability. You don't want to keep the interviewer waiting or make them think that you are disorganized or careless. Plan ahead and leave early enough to account for traffic, parking, and finding the location. Aim to arrive 10 to 15 minutes before the scheduled time. This will give you a chance to relax, check your appearance, and review your notes.
Your body language and attitude can convey a lot about your personality and mood. You want to appear friendly, confident, and positive. Smile and make eye contact with the interviewer and anyone else you meet along the way. Greet them with a firm handshake and a courteous introduction. Use their name and title when addressing them. Thank them for their time and opportunity. Avoid crossing your arms, fidgeting, or looking at your phone.
Your verbal communication skills are essential for showing your knowledge, skills, and fit for the job. You want to answer the questions clearly and concisely, without rambling or digressing. Use examples and stories to illustrate your points and showcase your achievements. Avoid using filler words, jargon, or slang. Listen carefully to the interviewer and ask for clarification if needed. Be honest and humble, but don't sell yourself short.
The last step to making a great first impression is to follow up after the interview. This will show that you are grateful, interested, and proactive. Send a thank-you email or note within 24 hours of the interview. Express your appreciation for the chance to meet them and discuss the role. Highlight your main qualifications and why you are excited to work for them. Reiterate your interest and availability and ask about the next steps.
The interview process should cut both ways. You should be interviewing the company while they are interviewing you. At the end of the interview, the boss usually asks, "Okay, do you have any questions for me." Ask this: "Who in the company have you developed? If I come to work for you, what career growth can I expect?" If the interviewer is a true leader, he or she will be able to identify three or four people they've mentored who have gone on to achieve success. But if he hums and haws around, doesn't answer the question, you need to ask yourself, "Can I grow my career here? Or, is it all about him making his bonus and looking good to his boss?" Great leadership develops great leaders. Where do you want to spend your time?
Efficient Happiness Ambassador/Inclusion Expert @ Efficient Happiness | EdD
The most important advise I can give someone is to "be yourself". The issue with interviews derives from selling a mirage and the employer wanting one. The interviewees should present themselves professionally, but also authentically. This way they will never have to present a facade, and the employer doesn't expect the interviewees to keep this facade up after they are onboarded. The employer should evaluate fairly. When I retired from the military, I applied and interviewed for a ton of jobs. I didn't get many of them. It was not the standard line we decided to go a different direction... That is ok, I did not fake the funk to fit in. I focused on being myself and finding a job were I didn't have to pretend to be someone else.
To make a great first impression in an interview, be kind and respectful to everyone, express genuine interest in the role, and let your personality shine through in your conversation. Share your successes humbly, discuss failures as learning experiences, and describe how you pivoted with those failures. To knock it out of the park after the interview, send a thank-you email and reiterate what makes you interested in the role.