Preparing for Interview: First Impressions

If you apply for a job, a college/university course, or anything for that matter, at some point you will be interviewed. In our digital age, that might be by an AI Assistant online, by video or, most likely, face to face with a real person (which is the scary bit).

We all want to do well at interview and be judged positively, irrespective of whether we get offered the job or not.

An interview is an opportunity for the employer to find out about you, if you are suitable for the job, and them, AND an opportunity for you to find out if they, and the job, are a good match for you. Yes, it is most definitely a two-way street.

First Impressions

Presentation is all important when you go to meet your prospective employer, and you should dress accordingly.

​A number of studies have concluded that up to 93% of our first-time impact on others is non-verbal. Others have shown that there is a direct link between what you wear and what you earn. According to studies, a badly dressed man penalises his earning potential by 15% and a poorly dressed woman by 11%.

​First impressions do count: a bad first impression with someone can take up to 15 subsequent meetings to correct - if ever.

​At an interview the wrong impression in the first few seconds could make or break a career, your career.

​At your interviews you need to appear organised and professional which means wearing clothes that fit properly and look neat and tidy. We all assess physical appearance – age, sex, perceived status, attractiveness – when we meet someone and we all have unconscious bias to a certain extent. For example, most people will behave more politely if they think the other person has a higher status than them.

​So, try to dress conservatively - it is a formal business interview after all, and you want them to remember you for what you said and not for what you wore! This means dressing in dark grey or navy and try not to be too upbeat or trendy - you want to be taken seriously!

​If you pay attention to the details, you can't go wrong: make sure your shoes are clean, your socks match, and your tie isn't stained! If you are taking papers with you make sure you use a briefcase or similar bag, which is clean and tidy and looks professional.

​Body language is very important in the first couple of minutes – we form a quick impression which is lasting. Pay attention to your small talk – tone, volume, pitch and quality. Posture, gesture, touch and facial expression complete the picture.

​Make sure that your first impression counts!

The Negatives

The interviewer will be put off by the following:

•              Poor appearance

•              Too aggressive, conceited, know it all

•              Poor ability to express answers well

•              No career focus

•              Passive, uninterested attitude

•              Lack of confidence

•              Concentration on the salary

•              Poor diplomacy

•              Closed body language

•              Not asking any questions

•              Lack of preparation for the meeting