Ten Smart Tips on Creating a Good First Impression
You cannot over-estimate the impact that your image has on job searching and career advancement!
Other's first impressions are generally determined within the first minutes of meeting- which means you need to make a positive impact right away! People's perception of you is based mostlyon your physical appearance, and many people will assume so much about you—what do you want them to assume about YOU?
Many Career Coaches and Executive Recruiters, myself included,
believe interviewers and hiring authorities assume your personality, level of past success, education, and dependability based simply on how you look and present yourself.
Here are ten tips on making a GREAT first impression:
1. Take pride in how you look! Make sure your interview outfit shows a very professional side of you. For men, this generally means a dark suit, white dress shirt and coordinating tie with well polished dark shoes. Though women have much more leeway, you want your outfit to scream PROFESSIONAL. A nice, tailored suit, pantsuit, or even a very professional dress will fit the bill. Do not wear anything too tight, too short, too low cut-- anything that could be construed as the least bit sexy!
2. Absolutely essential is to make sure your clothing and shoes are in tip-top shape. Well-pressed, no stains, rips or tears, or badly scuffed soles. Even if it's necessary to purchase something new, or borrow from a friend, it will be worth it in the confidence boost it gives you!
3. Shouldn't even have to mention- but will: Good hygiene is imperative! Be certain to put your freshest face forward,including your minty-fresh breath. Men should be clean shaven, and any mustaches or beards should be neatly trimmed. Men's hair should be trimmed at or above the collar line, and make certain it's a professional-looking cut. (I had an otherwise perfect candidate rejected for a Sr. Acct. Exec. Position because he had, in the words of the Branch Manager, "Kramer hair" a la the Seinfeld show.) Ladies hair should be neat and in a professional style—and don't let it cover half your face.
4. Don't be extreme in anything! Ladies makeup should not be distracting, especially excessive eye shadow and lipstick. Your fingernails should be neatly trimmed and clean, with no wild designs or ultra-long nails. Minimal jewelry is plenty! One pair of earrings, a necklace, a watch, and two rings is plenty. Also, do not wear jewelry in any "non-traditional" places. I know that the fad nowadays is to pierce all your parts; you'll want to keep that side of you separate from business! No nose rings, lip rings, eyebrow rings, or earrings anywhere but the lobe.
5. Tattoos. I have three words: Cover them up! Many companies have a strict policy against visible tattoos, and the ones who don't probably also think they aren't very professional. So, unless you're Lebron James, you probably shouldn't flaunt your artwork at an interview.
6. Use your social skills! Be pleasant, shake hands politely and firmly, and SMILE! Project confidence, but not arrogance in your interview. Do not keep them waiting while you finish a cell phone call (would be funny if it hadn't really happened.) You will turn people off if they feel you are speaking down to them- so stay on their level.
7. Be careful of your body language. Did Mom ever tell you to sit up straight, get your elbows off the table, or watch your language? That's because she knew that people judge you by such things. So don't cuss like a sailor, slouch in your chair, or lean on the interviewer's desk. But do sit up straight and alert, making positive eye contact to show you are interested in what they have to say.
8. Show them your intelligence level by using proper English and a range of your vocabulary. Don't dominate the conversation, but don't sit silently in your seat. This is a two way interview- you need to find out enough about the company and the job offered to see if it's a good fit for you as well.
9. Ask questions! The company's agents expect you to be curious about the company and want to know more about it, and them. Do some preliminary research before-hand: check out the company website, look them up on Hoover's, even Google the names of the people you are going to see. This should give you plenty of questions, and maybe even some common interests to discuss.
10. Do not be negative about anything or anybody! If your last boss was a total moron, you need only say that you left to find a position which offered more opportunity. If there is something negative in your past, you do need to address it, but also tell them how you've corrected the problem since then.
Bottom-line, your ability to impress the interviewer with your vast knowledge of ABC Widgets is only as important as presenting yourself in a professional way. Do not let image hold you back when a few small tweaks will make you perfect!
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