Making a Good First Impression
A good impression results from a combination of
factors which includes your manner of dress, your body language, and your attitude. They
say that the interviewer decides if (s)he likes you in the first 5 seconds. Read on
to see how to make the best of that 5 seconds.
Attire
To suit or not to suit, that is the question.
The answer is not as clear as it was even five years ago. Many of the interviewers do not
wear suits, so what do you do? If you have a chance to observe the company employees at
work, you will see how the they dress and that can help you to decide what to wear for an
interview. In any case, however, you should dress professionally unless the interviewer
tells you otherwise.
What is professional attire?
- It is fabric on the conservative side.
Avoid large prints and large expanses of bold, contrasting color, glitter and shine,
and excessive trim. This applies to clothing, shoes, and accessories.
- It is comfort and appropriateness.
Sandals, fishnet stockings, white socks, unshined shoes, tennis shoes, heavy makeup, large amounts of
jewelry and too little skirt are inappropriate. Heavy wool in 100 degree heat is
inappropriate, as is linen in a blizzard. Tight shoes or clothes are not
comfortable and convey the wrong impression.. Avoid wearing more than one pair of earrings, especially if they are not
in your ear lobes. Wear no more than two rings on your hands; one watch; and a necklace or brooch-type pin.
- It is color and style that coordinates
well. A navy blue striped jacket does not look good with black pants.
- It is color and style that flatters you
and makes you feel confident.
- It is consideration for others. Avoid
heavy amounts of perfume or after shave - some people are allergic. Besides, you want
a job, not a date.
- It is a dress, suit, or coordinating
jacket and pants or skirt with coordinating shoes and accessories. Choose clothes you
will want to wear again. When in doubt, ask a sales representative in a clothing store
or your career advisor to help.
Body Language
We watch each other's body language all the
time, but are often unaware of our own. Yet that is the first signal that we are
happy and confident, or upset and fearful. Interviewers are especially cognizant of
body language, because it can tell them so much about you.
- Greet the interviewer with a firm
handshake, a smile, and good posture.
- Sit in the chair with your back
straight, but not rigid, your arms and legs relaxed, neither spread too far apart, nor
drawn in tight to your body. It is O.K. to lean forward once in a while to show your
interest.
- Keep hand gestures small and
infrequent. Using occasional gestures to emphasize a point can add liveliness to the
interview.
- Maintain eye contact, but don't stare.
It is O.K. to look away once in a while.
- Remember to smile once in a while.
Verbal Language
What you say and how you say it are equally
important.
- Have your answers well rehearsed, but
not memorized. This will help you feel relaxed and confident.
- Avoid saying "um," "you
know," or "like" too often. Pause if you need to think about what to
say next.
- Use proper English. The language you
use with your friends may be inappopriate for an interview.
- Listen carefully before you answer and
if you don't understand the question, ask the interviewer to explain it.
- Focus on the positive. Avoid being too
brief in your answers or too wordy.
- Don't feel you have to fill the
silence. A good interviewer knows that most people feel uncomfortable with silence and
will say anything to fill it up. To avoid saying something you might regret, wait for
the interviewer to initiate the next interchange.
- Be sure to thank the recruiter for the opportunity to interview.
Return
to Interviewing
Go
on to the Interview
This document is maintained by: Kathleen
Bristow (kbristow@csuchico.edu )
Last Updated: November 1, 2007
