Leadership Training

As the old saying goes, you never get a second chance to make a first impression.  A recent poll conducted by Robert Half Finance and Accounting demonstrates just how important it is for interview candidates to make sure their first impression is an excellent one.

According to a group of corporate executives they talked with, most said they form an opinion about hiring a candidate within 10 minutes, despite spending nearly an hour in the actual interview.

So how does a candidate ensure they’re making that positive first impression?  One of the suggestions given by Julie Jansen, career coach and author of “You Want Me to Work with Who?”, is to Ask someone close to you to assess you for body language, appearance and overall demeanor.

Another recommendation given by career expert Marty Nemko, author of “Cool Careers for Dummies.”, is to dress the way the boss or interviewer would dress. “Any dressier makes you look like you’re trying too hard or are out of sync with that workplace’s culture.  To find out what the boss wears, simply ask the person who contacted you to schedule your interview.”

Personally, I think this should be interpreted as finding out what the preferred dress code is.  I think that’s fine, but you don’t want to dress EXACTLY like your potential boss.  They should want you for who you are, not because you bear a striking resemblance to Mini-Me…

Want a simple, straightforward recommendation for your next big interview?  Don’t forget to smile!  According to David Lewis from Pinnacle Performance, “smiling is a powerful tool that transmits friendliness and warm to your audience.  Therefore, if you smile frequently you will be perceived as more likeable, friendly, and approachable.”

So show those big pearly whites, and good luck!

interview, first impressions, Robert Half Finance and Accounting, Yahoo! Hot Jobs