Although it's been said that "You can't judge a book by its cover," it happens all the time. In business as well as in life in general we are always judging and being judged. That all important first impression is a lasting one.
It's been statistically proven that people make judgments about others in the first 30 seconds to one minute of meeting them. Therefore, job seekers have only a short time to make that impression a positive one.
Everyone knows to be clean, neat and polished "looking" when they walk in the door for the interview. That's only part of the preparation though.
When seeking employment, there is something you can do to make yourself memorable to the interviewer. Improve your interview skills. Following are ten (plus one) easy ways to do this. Each will demonstrate positive things about you to the interviewer.
1. Arrive for your interview at least ten minutes early. You show that you are interested and have manners enough NOT to keep the interviewer waiting.
2. If you are sitting when the interviewer arrives, stand up when they come in. Introduce yourself and give a firm handshake. Again, this speaks to business etiquette and interpersonal skills.
3. Prior to the interview, make sure you have scoped out the business. How? Research them online and discreetly stop by/drive by to gauge how people interact; what they are wearing, etc.
4. Be polite to everyone you meet. Leave the receptionist with as good impression of you as any other VIP! This shows that you consider everyone important.
5. Have questions for the interviewer and make sure you've listed them ahead of time. This shows you've given some thought to the position and have some idea of what the business is about.
6. Be able to discuss what you are "all about" in a two minute speech. Practice and memorize it ahead of time. You will almost always hear: 'Tell me about yourself." This way you can be ready to respond.
7. Bring at least two fresh copies of your resume. (Use good stock resume paper and not the paper you use every day.)
8. Make sure your resume reflects you. Don't make up things to make yourself look good-you will be found out.
9. If you are now employed, do not badmouth your current employer. When asked why you are seeking other employment, it's fair to say you want to expand your horizons or opportunities. Perhaps such opportunities are not available in your job. If you badmouth your boss, it will make the potential employer question your professionalism and loyalty and make them wonder how you would talk about people if you were hired.
10. After the interview, send a thank you note. In it you'll thank the interviewer for taking time to see you and you'll indicate that you are very interested in the position.
Finally: Ask for the job! So often people leave interviews and never express their interest. That's a mistake. When you don't ask for the job what message do you send the interviewer?
By using these suggestions, you'll make a great impression on the interviewer. As a result, you'll be the "book" that that is read beyond just the cover!
Have a SHINING day!
(c) Pamela Tyree Griffin
Click after the arrow to visit --> Pamela Tyree Griffin, Professional Writer and Speaker
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Comments: 22
Gerald- TY=Thank you...If that's what you mean. So ty!
I'm glad if it helps even a little bit. Job hunting is daunting and we need all the help we can get right?
P
Thanks for reading and for your great comments.
P
But people do it anyway huh???
Thanks.
Thank you again for the help but I have found over the years of looking and getting different jobs that the biggest thing that helped me out was to have enough self-confidence about doing the job that is on the table to interview the interviewer to see if the company was the one that I wanted to work at. I know that may seem a bit much for some but one of my last jobs I worked at started off with the pay of $12.00 an hour and I took the job for $19.00 an hour because the interviewer took me to the owner of the company and I impressed him so much that I was hired to head up a department. But one can not seek to impress with BS, one must know of the things that they bring up. Still I very much enjoyed the read and gave you a 10 for all the good points that you have.
Thanks for reading and for your right on comments. In fact everyone who had more suggestions -thanks. If all of us together can help just one person, that is terrific!