Job Interviews: Making a Good First Impression

By Career Guide 2007 Staff Writer Elizabeth Stern

You have eaten an entire tin of Altoids. You have rehearsed what you want to say at least a hundred times and you are still stumbling over the words. You begin to sweat in places you did not know could sweat. You then realize you have job interview anxiety. It is no wonder most people would rather study for an organic chemistry exam than interview for a job, or that the prospect of an interview prompts some of us to develop a sudden interest in deep-cleaning the microwave. A job interview is difficult, stress-inducing and anxiety-ridden. Fortunately, all supervisors agree on certain aspects of the interview and simply remembering a few small but important things could have a significant impact on whether or not you land the job.

A good interview is all about being responsive to the person in front of you and first on your list of responsive behavior is a firm handshake. Make sure to clasp the other person’s hand fully. Shaking too softly will immediately red-flag you as someone who is shy, un-ambitious, and unsure of your own abilities. But be careful—shaking too hard signifies that you are overly aggressive and self-involved. Keep good posture: sit up straight with your shoulders back, or lean slightly forward to show that you are listening and attentive.

Maintain eye contact. Bosses note that they feel they cannot trust an interviewee who looks at the floor or appears shifty-eyed and distracted. Interestingly, interviewers feel negatively about this body language especially when the interviewee is male. But both men and women must be careful not to overstep any boundaries or seem flirtatious. Even something as small as the scent one is wearing can set an overall tone, as you run the risk of wearing something that is too strong or even worse, something that could trigger your interviewer’s allergies.
Showing you are responsive to the person in front of you communicates that you are a good social investment.

Your kindness, respectfulness and charisma should be tapped and even emphasized. One of the most interesting opinions commonly expressed among interviewers is the importance of social skills. Jacqueline, an employee at a social work office based in El Paso, Texas, remarked, “I hardly even look at peoples’ résumés. We can give them training if they do not already have it—if they do not seem like they are ready for the job, if there is no ambition or if they do not captivate me, I am not going to be interested.” This feeling was echoed among supervisors in professional fields from education to politics.

You should not put your books down just yet. Your prior experience speaks volumes about your ability to do a job well and that experience is an asset you can rely on if you do slip up a bit during the interview. Highlighting your achievements is especially important if they are relevant to the position, but can be useful even if your achievements simply demonstrate that you are proficient in an important skill like leadership. Internships and other jobs that you might consider mediocre can show that you possess initiative, have high priorities and are mature.

Finally, remember to come up with a few questions of your own and not about your salary. Supervisors are especially impressed with a job candidate who is curious about what characteristics and skills a job requires, has new ideas and seeks upward mobility in the company. Your interest in the company itself will be yet another attribute that shows your future boss why you are uniquely perfect for the job.