Top tips for creating the best first impression
Interviews are crucial. They allow employers to grasp who you are as a person and how you will fit into their business, whilst also giving you the opportunity to sell yourself as an individual. It is essential that you create a good first impression, after all it is how an employer will remember you and decide if they hire you or not. There are specific elements of your behaviour that will create that good impression.
Location-
It is vital that you know where the job interview is. Make sure that you plan your journey to the interview, allowing extra time in case there are delays. You will immediately damage that first impression if you are late, it is far better to be early than late.
What to bring? –
It is essential that you bring your certificates of qualifications you have obtained as well as safety boots if the interview is on a site of work. It is better to be prepared with certificates as it shows the employer that you are proactive, rather than having to show them at a later date. Bringing safety boots also shows the employer that you are serious about the role and are prepared for the environment that you will be working in.
Dress for the job-
It is vitally important that you dress appropriately for the role that you are applying for. You must take into consideration the role in which you are applying for. It is recommended that you wear formal clothing, such as a suit and tie. After all this is the first time that the employer is going to see you and if you arrive looking too casual it may suggest to them that you are not serious about the role that you are applying for. Image is crucial.
Attitude-
Another key aspect of an interview is your attitude toward and within it. The best way to go into an interview is with a positive attitude, it will make you perform far better than if you have a negative and pessimistic attitude. It is also key that you maintain a calm, professional and polite attitude when in the interview. Being cocky and overselling yourself is also not a good quality to have, it will create a negative impression and deter people from employing you. It is also essential that you don’t appear desperate, don’t beg for people to employ you instead remain calm and collected.
Listen and don’t talk too much-
Listening to the employer is just as important as answering their questions and asking them questions. It shows that you are attentive and prepared to listen to others rather than just pushing your own agenda. If you talk too much employers may be deterred from hiring you, you may seem overwhelming or even irritating, thus difficult to work with. Ensure you have the right balance of speaking and listening to create the best impression of yourself.
Body language-
This is just as important as speaking itself. Your body language conveys who you are as a person without you even having to open your mouth. Make sure that your body language suggests confidence, which can be done by smiling and maintaining a straight posture. A firm handshake and eye contact also demonstrate good personality and will make that lasting impression on an employer.
Take your time when answering questions-
The questions are what reflect your personality and suitability for a job so it is essential that you answer them in the best way you possibly can. Don’t take too long when answering questions but make sure that you aren’t too quick to answer and give limited answers because of that. This is your only chance to make an impression on an employer so use it to its full potential.
Research the industry and company-
This is essential as it shows again that you are proactive and enthusiastic about the role and position. There is nothing worse than being put on the spot in an interview and not knowing the correct information or what to say, it is better to be over prepared than under prepared.
Ask questions-
A job interview is a two-way process, you need to make sure that you are well informed about a position just as much as the interviewer needs to be informed as to whether you are a correct fit or not. You need to show that you are inquisitive and want to know as much as possible about the role you are applying for.
If you consider all of the above points you are likely to create a valuable first impression that will have a lasting effect in the mind of the employer, essentially securing you your dream job.
Here at Stirling Warrington we make sure that we give our clients and candidates the best foundation possible for job interviews. To find out how we could help you secure your dream job contact us.
Call- 01509 323532
Visit- https://www.stirlingwarrington.co.uk/contact-us/
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