10 first impressions for job-search success
Bob McIntosh
?? I’m on the frontline fighting ?????? ???????? ?????????? against unemployment ◆ Career Coach ◆ LinkedIn Trainer ◆ Online Instructor ◆ Blogging Fanatic ◆ Avid Walker ??LinkedIn Top Voices #LinkedInUnleashed?
In the job search making a positive first impression can determine your fate before the interview, perhaps when you least expect it.
Imagine you're at your local Starbucks, scoping out a comfortable chair to sit in for a couple of hours, and see the only one available among eight.
As you approach coveted chair, a woman dressed in a tee-shirt, yoga pants, and Asics also has her eyes on the prize. You have two choices; you can beat her to it, or you can offer her the chair, knowing there are plenty of stools at the table along the window, albeit uncomfortable ones. You take the high road and offer her the chair and retreat to one of the stools.
A week later you're at an interview for a job that's perfect for you. As you're making the rounds shaking hands with the interviewers, you notice the woman to whom you offered the chair when you were at Starbucks; and she notices you as the kind woman who gave up that chair.
She's the VP of marketing and a key decision maker in the hiring process. A couple of traits she desires in the next hire is integrity and selflessness. The interview is off to a great start because you made a great first impression by relinquishing that chair. Little did you know that that act of kindness would pay off in a big way, an act of kindness that had nothing to do with the interview process.
You may be thinking to yourself, "But that's my nature." Or maybe you're thinking, "I can't let my job search dictate how I act every minute of the day." The point is when you're in the job search, you're constantly on. Let's look at other ways you make a first impression before the interview begins.
- The way you dress. When you leave the house during the warm seasons, are you wearing your Red Sox Tee-shirt, baggie shorts, and sneakers without socks? The correct answer is no. When you leave the house, your attire should be work casual. This shows you're serious about your job search. Trust me on this: I know which one of my customers' job-search stint will be short based on how they dress.
Executive Career Counselor | Amazon #1 Bestselling Author | Interview Coaching | Career Coach | LinkedIn Page-1 Placement (“Words-to-Work”) | Resume Writing: ATS-ready & Impress Readers | Board Chair 2MyPlace.org
10 年My favorite, possibly, is #4, Bob. As a sales executive and trainer most of my career, I taught that asking open-ended questions (who, what, when, how, where, why) elicited more information. Job search is no different. One example I use in my book was from a client who asked the question of a company president, "What made you want to speak with me?" The man spoke for 35 minutes then concluded that my client was brilliant! Marvin had not spoken a word.
International Prime Brokerage Client Onboarding @ Morgan Stanley
10 年This is such a great article. It really helps.
Office Assistant/Reception
10 年Great advice Bob. I am a selfless person myself. It's part of who I am. I also am getting so very frustrated finding an office job at my age. I do get angry, but I clam up and hold it all in. Thank you for the info. Have a great day.
Transportation / Aviation & CDL
10 年I remember having a snapped a billies tendon, just a temporary disability. I was on crutches or in a wheel chair. It was shocking how many folks hurried by an sort of brushed me aside. It reminded me how lucky I was to have the gift of walking and made more keenly aware of other who can not forever, and more of other disabllities.
plustwo at GVHSS MANADHAVADY
10 年Your dream is your signature.......!