Let’s face it, first impressions either MAKE or BREAK any meeting.  First impressions also happen before you even step foot into the interviewer’s office. Being prepared, and looking and acting professional will afford you a better chance of making a good first impression and acing the interview.

Be On Time

Being late, even just a couple of minutes, is starting off on the wrong foot and you’re making the interviewer wonder if that’s the way you’ll treat clients, prospects, and fellow employees.  Make sure you have the right address and a reliable route to the interview. Travel the route a day or two early so to anticipate any traffic snags.

Once you arrive, if you are more than 10 minutes early, you will want to linger in your car, or a coffee shop, or make a visit to the restroom. By arriving too early, you risk creating an awkward moment. If you are early, you don’t want to announce your arrival until at least ten minutes before you are scheduled to be there. If you arrive exactly at the time your interview is scheduled to start, you are late. Instead, give yourself time to travel, park and find your location. Once you arrive, you may be able to find a quiet, safe location which no interruptions, where you can practice your “Pitch” or go over any notes you may have.

What to Bring

Being prepared also lends to first impressions. Keep in mind that you may be interviewing with people who have not seen your résumé so it is always best that you bring extra copies of your résumé and cover letter. It is also best that you bring notepad or professional binder, and a pen.

If the interviewer is interested in hiring you or learning more, they will always ask for a list of three to four references. This is a list of those people who can vouch for you professionally. It should be a list of three to five people you have worked with in the past. This sheet should be printed on professional résumé paper and formatted the same way you formatted your résumé and cover letter.

Finally, when you arrive, you may be asked to compete a hand-written application. This will most likely ask for names of those who you would use as references. They should never be family members. Be prepared with the information you need by having it in your cell phone or written down. If you do bring in your cell phone, you will need to make sure it is turned off and not on vibrate.

How to Greet the Interviewer

Always use bring your best attitude and be courteous. Be kind to the person sitting behind the reception desk. You never know who they actually are and you don’t want to come across as rude or arrogant. May times, the interviewer will always ask the receptionist how the interviewee behaved while they were in the waiting room, so always be on your best behavior. Address the interviewer by name, whenever possible, but be genuine.  If they have a name such as Robert, for example, don’t assume it is ok to call them Bob.  

Your handshake should be firm and never limp. Studies show that those who have sweaty or sloppy handshakes typically don’t get the job. If you know you are prone to shaking with a sweaty hand, spray deodorant on your palm before you go into the interview and it may help combat that problem. Practice before hand so you are confident that it will work.

Interview Etiquette

Now that you are in with the interviewer, you want to make sure you turn off and put away your cell phone and any tablets you might have. Also, it is polite to ask and never place anything on their desk. Be courteous of their space and always ask, never assume it is ok.

While speaking with them, always maintain positive eye contact and smile when it is appropriate. Practice talking with your friends ahead of your interview, and be aware of where you look when talking. The rule of thumb is to look at their eyes, or forehead, for ten seconds while they are talking, look away to think, and then look back. Be aware when you are talking to your family, friends, and teachers, and get familiar with how it feels. This will prepare you and help you feel confident as the big day approaches.

Practice body-language before you arrive. Don’t slouch, wince, or mirror negative body-language. Sit up straight and for men, you want to have both feet on the floor. For women, you want to cross your legs at your ankles. Never cross your legs at your thighs. Also, it is best to have your hands placed on the table or desk, if it is reachable and appropriate. By sitting on your hands, or having them hidden, it sends a subliminal message that you have something to hide or that you aren’t confident. Finally, practice smiling in the mirror so you are sure you come across as genuine and honest. You do not need to smile continuously during the interview. You want to be natural but practice this so you feel confident in doing so.

For a complete Interview Checklist, please go back a page and click on, “Interview Checklist.”