A formal interview can be intimidating and may feel daunting at times. However, leaving a positive impression is not as hard as it may seem. In this article, we will equip you with the tools you need to make a great impression during your interview!
Body language is important
It is important to present yourself as confident and collected when in an interview. This includes standing up straight, maintaining eye contact and not crossing your arms when seated. Studies have shown that interviewers tend to form a more favourable impression of candidates when they exhibit positive body language.
Dress to impress
To make a good impression, it is important to dress appropriately, especially for a job interview. This might include wearing a suit, a tailored jacket or blouse, or those formal shoes you’ve been saving for a special occasion. If you attend an interview in casual wear, this may leave a relaxed impression on your interviewer, while smart business attire paired with appropriate shoes conveys professionalism and seriousness about the opportunity. By choosing the right outfit, you set the tone for a successful interview.
Be positive
A calm smile and positive demeanour can strengthen first impressions. When you first meet someone, it is important to come across as friendly and positive as these cues will be noticed by your interviewer. Actions such as smiling and other pro-social behaviours will help you leave a better first impression (Cafaro & Bickmore, 2016).
Understand the organisation you are applying for
Do your research. A key factor that distinguishes successful candidates from those who may not succeed is their knowledge of the company they are applying to. Having a solid understanding of the company, their operations, values, and future direction demonstrates to the interviewer/s that you have a genuine interest in the role. This knowledge does not have to be extensive, you may only need to familiarise yourself with the company’s “news” and “about” sections.
Don’t be afraid of mistakes
One slip up is not the be all and end all. Everybody makes mistakes but you can work past them and still leave an excellent impression on your interviewer. Studies have shown that initial mistakes that can impact somebody’s impression of you can be overcome if you present yourself in a positive way following a mistake. Therefore, if you’re in an interview and make a small mistake, don’t worry! You can always work past it and nail the interview (Mann & Ferguson, 2015).
Now that you have gained some knowledge and skills to make an strong first impression in an interview, you will be well-prepared to impress your interviewer. With these skills, you’ll be equipped to succeed in any interview you attend.
References:
Cafaro, A., Vilhjálmsson, H. H., & Bickmore, T. (2016). First Impressions in Human–Agent Virtual Encounters. ACM Transactions on Computer-Human Interaction, 23(4), 1–40. https://doi.org/10.1145/2940325
Grün, F. C., Heibges, M., Westfal, V., & Feufel, M. A. (2022). “You Never Get a Second Chance”: First Impressions of Physicians Depend on Their Body Posture and Gender. Frontiers in Psychology, 13, 836157–836157. https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychology/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.836157/full
Mann, T. C., & Ferguson, M. J. (2015). Can We Undo Our First Impressions? The Role of Reinterpretation in Reversing Implicit Evaluations. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 108(6), 823–849. https://doi.org/10.1037/pspa0000021
Martín‐Raugh, M. P., Kell, H. J., Randall, J. G., Anguiano‐Carrasco, C., & Banfi, J. T. (2023). Speaking without words: A meta‐analysis of over 70 years of research on the power of nonverbal cues in job interviews. Journal of Organizational Behavior, 44(1), 132–156. https://doi.org/10.1002/job.2670
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