The crude reality of looking for work is that potential employers make their decision in the first few seconds of meeting you. They spend the remainder of the interview trying to find facts to support their first impression. It is your immediate task to convince them that you are credible and likable. Your resume got you the appointment. Now, you need to rely on your appearance, body language and confidence to move you to the next round.
Appearance. Think of appearance as how you come across visually. It has nothing to do with physical attribute (how tall/short/etc.) Have you heard of the phrase, dress for success? Well, it is true. Dressing to be perceived as successful (meaning capable, sharp and reliable) includes and excludes accessories, and even perfume. Your impeccable work experience can be easily outshined by too much mascara or cologne. A conservative look is generally the best way to go.
Appearance. Think of appearance as how you come across visually. It has nothing to do with physical attribute (how tall/short/etc.) Have you heard of the phrase, dress for success? Well, it is true. Dressing to be perceived as successful (meaning capable, sharp and reliable) includes and excludes accessories, and even perfume. Your impeccable work experience can be easily outshined by too much mascara or cologne. A conservative look is generally the best way to go.
Body language. Wearing the right suit or earrings is not enough. If you are slouched or do not make eye contact, you will not project trustworthiness. What you are not saying with words you are saying with your body, posture and overall stance. A firm handshake is a good example of positive body language.
Confidence. There are other ways to convey confidence in addition to dressing well and standing up straight. This is where you want to give the interviewer an idea of how you will be interacting with colleagues on a daily basis. You want to come across engaging and comfortable around new people and situations. For instance, answering or asking questions clearly and effectively.
If you are a bit baffled by how first impressions work, turn the tables for a minute. Remember a past interview where the interviewer did not give you a good vibe. Was it the limp handshake? Or the rushed conversation? Or the lack of eye contact while reviewing your resume? As you can see, it works both ways!
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If you liked this post, you might also like:
Dress well on a tight budget
Four things to do while looking for work
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