How To Make A Good First Impression On An Interview

You only get one chance to make a first impression. Why not do everything within your power to make it a strong one?  I know to most candidates who are going on interviews, this might seem like common sense.  However, you would be surprised by how many people miss the mark.  Things to remember on your interview: give everyone a firm handshake, make eye contact when doing so and let your interviewer(s) know how much you appreciate their time. These actions will get the interview started on the right foot and have you on your way to landing the job.

Before eHire, I worked for CBS. At CBS I was responsible for interviewing every potential candidate for my team. Over the years, I interviewed hundreds of people. From that initial first impression, I knew if a candidate was going to work out or not.  My accuracy was 95% on people I hired based on my first impression.  Everyone coming in had the skills and resume that backed that up but it was a feeling you get from someone right off the bat that differentiated them from a timid or even blasé candidate.  I know to many this goes without saying, but it doesn't hurt to be reminded of the basics...and never be late for an interview!

Interview First Impression Checklist:

• Punctuality (best to be 10 minutes early)
• Appropriate Attire
• Treat everyone with courtesy
• Firm handshake
• Eye contact
• Express appreciation 

Additional Resources:
Interview Dos and Don’ts
Body Language Dos and Don’ts