Lesson #5: Make an Impression

Dress professionally. The way you dress is one of the first things employers will notice. Make sure you are dressed professionally and appropriately when going into an interview. If you need assistance obtaining appropriate clothing for an interview, Change our Lives is a great organization that offers high-quality, men’s and women’s professional attire and accessories, interview workshops, and computer lab access in multiple locations

Below you will see some examples of how to dress professionally for an interview

Make sure your cell phone is off, not on vibrate. The last thing you need is a distraction during one of the most important meetings of your life. People can still hear your cell ring in vibrate mode. There is nothing more important than your interview when you are there. This could be a life-changing moment for you and your family.

Look people in the eye and smile. Communication experts tell us that 80% of our communication with others is non-verbal. One of the best ways to connect with people and build trust is to look them in the eye. Most people when under pressure don’t smile, appear nervous, and lacking in confidence. It’s amazing how something as simple as a smile can project confidence and leadership even if you’re nervous.

Firm handshake. A firm handshake can be an indicator of confidence, make sure you your handshake is firm and also making an impression.

Let the company take the lead during your interview. Sometimes when your interviewer is soft-spoken or laid back you may feel the urge to keep things moving. Because of this, you start taking back some control and the next thing you know, you’re rambling. Resist this. Let the employer run the show. If there are periods of silence, just sit there in silence. One of the most common interviewing mistakes is talking too much. It’s easy to ramble and over explain things if your interview is a person of few words and there are periods of silence. Resist this and simply let them set the pace of the interview.

Don’t step on the last 3 words of someone’s conversation. Let your interviewer finish making their point, pause, then respond to their question or make a comment.

Sit up straight and lean slightly forward. Sitting up straight and leaning slightly forward sends the following non-verbal signal: I’m listening intently; I’m interested in what you have to say; I have a lot of energy and I’m ready to work.

Take notes during your interview. Bring a professional binder with you so you can jot down a few notes during your interview. This conveys a sincere interest in what your interviewers have to say and gives you a chance to jot down a question to ask at the appropriate time. Also, having a binder on your lap means you can use it as a cheat sheet if you’re nervous. Before your interview you should have a few key phrases written down to help you if you get stuck and your list of appropriate questions to ask them.

Pursue the job even if your interview is going badly. You might be enduring an awful interview experience quietly thinking to yourself, this is the last place I’d ever want to work…get me out of here! As a general rule, wait until you have all the facts before making your final judgment about an individual or a company. Also, you never know who you are going to meet or how a stranger might positively affect your career downstream. Leave people with a positive impression of you. It could benefit you in the future.

Arrive 15 minutes early but no sooner. As a common courtesy, you never want to be late for your interview; however, arriving too early can also bother employers.

Promptly send a thank you email after your interview. Not only is this a common courtesy, but it also keeps your name in front of those who interviewed you.