Favorable Impressions Interviewing

Three things to help create a favorable impression for a meeting or interview. 

      If you are interviewing, you can assume that three or more candidates are interviewing for the job opening. We can further assume that you all present relatively the same capability and skill set for the position.  If this is true, how are they going to chose the new hire? I suggest, if all things are basically equal, they are going to hire the candidate they like best. Think about it; your expertise and ability got you the interview, but how you fit into the team will get you the job offer. Simply stated if they like you best you'll most likely be offered the job.

    Favorable impressions are lasting impressions. Here is what you can do to create a more favorable impression in an interview or a networking meeting. Remember that the first five minutes are critical when first meeting someone. Consider these three areas:

• You communicate via body language
• Be yourself
• Don't take control 

Body Language: 
    Management consultant and keynote speaker, Joe Takash says that the most important thing you can do when you meet someone new is smile. A real, genuine smile makes it easy to like someone.  Your confidence is communicated most in your body language by smiling and making good eye contact. Joe goes on to tell his audiences that "SHE is the key" when you first meet someone. SHE stands for smile, handshake and eye contact. If in the first five seconds you accomplish a connection you've made a good first step. Plus, I believe that the more confident you feel the more comfortable they'll be with you.  

Be Yourself: 
    Psychologists call it being genuine; I say be yourself and you'll come across as real. In an interview situation people often feel nervous and anxious. I remind my clients to always be yourself; be prepared and you'll be more comfortable when meeting someone new. Being a little nervous is okay, it keeps you on your toes and gets the juices or endorphins going. When you are yourself and not pretending to be something you're not, you will communicate more calmly and clearly when responding to questions. As you speak to the interviewer use normal hand gestures and lean slightly forward showing that you are composed and confident. If the interviewer is nervous, and this is often the case, your demeanor can help them to relax which makes it easier to like you. However, no one likes a phony person, period! Don't be a fake, they may not know exactly what you're faking, but they'll feel something's not right and then you lose. 

Don't Take Control: 
    Think of the interviewer as your host and you are going to their house for the meeting/interview. Let them be in control. I've had clients say they wanted to show that they were a take charge kind of guy. Right, do that in the success stories you share with them, but let them drive the meeting or interview. Imagine being in the passenger side in a car that the interviewer is driving. You wouldn't reach over and take the steering wheel away from them! Don't do it in an interview either. Nothing turns someone off faster then feeling usurped from their meeting. Be a perfect guest. If they make an offer of hospitality take them up on it. For example, if they ask you if you'd like coffee, tea or water, accept the offer. Do it for two reasons: first, it's good manners to accept an offer of hospitality and second, you don't want to turn down their first offer in the interview process. 

  It is impossible to do over a first impression. And in an interview it's essential that your are liked and viewed as someone who will fit well into the team or department. In sales it is said that people buy from people they like and the same is true here. After all, job search is sales.