In addition to saying all of the right things, you must be aware that the way that you move and speak makes an impression, too. The following tips should help you to send the message that you are the right person for the job!
1. First impressions matter
When you walk through the door, your interviewer will look up and in those first few seconds, he or she will have already formed their initial opinion of you, so it’s important that you provide them with a positive feeling from the start. Be sure that your clothes are laying nicely before you open the door—you shouldn’t be fussing with your jacket or adjusting your waistband when they see you. Also, it’s a good idea to initiate communication by smiling and reaching your hand out to offer a firm, confident (but not too hard!) handshake.
2. Make eye contact
People who avoid direct eye contact give the impression that they either lack confidence or have something to hide, so make sure that you aren’t looking around the room or down at your feet as you speak. When you answer questions, look at the person you are talking to and speak in a friendly, articulate manner.
3. Look interested
There are few things more off-putting to interviewers than job candidates who appear disinterested or worse, as though they have somewhere else they’d rather be. Even if you really do find the questions tedious and the interviewer dull, be sure that you don’t let on that you are bored out of your mind. Lean forward a bit in your chair and nod in agreement as the person talks, indicating that you are listening and find the conversation to be worthy of your full attention and never, ever look at your watch, even for a second.
4. Watch what you do with your hands
Some gestures are very telling, so be careful what you do with your hands while you speak. Touching your face or nose leads people to think that you are being less than truthful, a message that you certainly don’t want to give to someone who may be deciding on the future of your career. Rubbing your head or the back of your neck can be interpreted as emotional discomfort, making the interviewer wonder if their question hit a nerve. It’s best to rest your hands comfortably in your lap, but be sure not to wring them nervously!
5. Don’t fidget
Toe tapping, finger drumming, or wriggling in your seat can make you appear bored or anxious, so sit still. You shouldn’t be statue stiff, but you should sit with good posture and a minimal of unnecessary or distracting movement. If your interviewer takes a phone call or is otherwise engaged during a portion of your interview, sit patiently and wait for them to finish.
6. Show those pearly whites
No one wants to work with a sourpuss, so smile! Interviews may not be a boatload of fun, but they are wonderful opportunities to show that there is more to you than merely what is written on your resume. When you consider that you are probably not the only person who has the qualifications to do the job, you’ll realize that spotlighting your personality and attitude are vital to being chosen for the job.
7. Go for a happy ending
Just as you tried to make a good impression when you said hello, you should walk away leaving your interviewer with the feeling that they’ve found just the right person to fill the spot. Offer your thanks, extend your hand for another handshake, and leave with a smile. Remember, though, that just because you’ve closed the door to the interviewing office, you are not yet in the clear, so don’t talk on your cell phone or pull a snack out of your bag until you have left the premises. From the reception desk to the parking lot, many workplaces today are monitored by video cameras, so continue to walk tall and smile at those you encounter as you make your way back to your car. Once you are safely on your way, you can feel free to let out a big sigh of relief or a squeal of delight.
No comments:
Post a Comment