How to make a good first impression on the interview as a professional and land a dream job?

Good first impression on an interview may make a difference between reject and offer when it comes to the professional world (and any other world as a matter of fact) and getting a dream job.

Being a professional you are expected to be perceived in a certain way. You would already have some significant experience and the potential employer would know this so you don’t have to prove it as such.

It’s more for the purpose of checking if you’re the right fit with the right skills set to fit the job, the culture of the company and the prospect of long term employment.

It’s also for you to find out if you like the place enough to accept the offer (should such occur), what benefits the jobs comes with and what opportunities are there for you going forward.

On a professional level, you should be prepared to be interviewed by more than two people that will be firing questions at you as they need to ensure you will be able to communicate with people at the different level of the organisation.

I have had about 12-14 jobs so far and been through more interviews than I care to count. Each of them has thought me something new about the whole interview process and about myself too.

Also, I have been involved in interviewing people as well so can relate to both sides. This has given me the full insight on how to make a good first impression on the interview as a professional and land a dream job.

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⁃ Expect the unexpected

There could be some unusual questions asked or tasks to do. You might be given some information and be asked to prepare a short presentation. Or you might even be asked to do a role play. So be ready for such eventualities.

⁃ Be confident but not too much

It’s important that you don’t appear shy and nervous. But it’s even more important that you appear overconfident, loud or aggressive even (this might work in sales roles though).

So hold your head up, speak loud (I don’t mean shouting) and be confident. You are already one step ahead of those people that didn’t get invited to the interview so you only have once step left before a job offer.

⁃ Smile and nod your head when appropriate

When you smile, you appear more positive.

You will also appear more confident and fun to be around and that is always a good thing.

When you greet your interviewers shake hands with each and every one of them and have a smile on your face to show you are happy to be meeting with them.

During the conversation nod your head when you are listening instead of voicing it out like “Mhmm” or “yes” which we tend to do when listening to friends.

And try not to add any little unnecessary comments when listening as it is not perceived as very professional.

⁃ Don’t discuss your private life unless the conversation leads to it

Watch out for the question – what do you like doing in your spare time?

This question is intended for you to open up about your private life.

You do not have to mention kids, husband etc if you feel like this might in any way adversely affect the way you are perceived. Some people will take it as an accomplishment to have kids, work and juggle it all. Other people, however, might take it as a disadvantage as you might need time off to deal with sick kids and might need some level of flexibility.

This is a rather sensitive topic and you can never tell how well this will be perceived so to stay on the safe side, best to answer that type of question with a simple:

I love to travel (mention the countries you have been to)

I like going to the gym, dance, bike ride etc.

I enjoy reading books (mention what kind).

Or mention your hobby that does not relate to kids/ family life.

If your interviewers appear a family people themselves and talk about their family life etc, then you are probably ok to also talk about your kids. You have to make a judgment based upon the conversation as it unfolds.

⁃ Do your research on the company

Seems rather obvious, but many people tend to not know what kind of company they are going to be interviewed by.

Research their website, what they do, what’s their financial figures if you can access them (You can find the financials in the Companies House website if not published on the actual company’s website)

Research the interviewers just so you know who you are meeting exactly. LinkedIn is a perfect website for this and most professionals would have their profile on LinkedIn. And so should you too- so set it up if you still haven’t got one!

Also, look again through the job spec, so you know what kind of skills/ experience they are looking for so you can prepare to talk about how your skills will fit into the job you are being interviewed for.

⁃ Look smart

The first impression on the interview on the journey to get a dream job does count! So on top of the smile on your face, you need to look smart.

Have the best office suite you have. Make sure you prepare it at least a day before in case something goes wrong (like a stain on your shirt un-expectantly appearing from no-where.

Look classy and elegant! It’s not a time to impress with your legs or cleavage, so keep it all covered, or at least not too exposed.

Here are some ideas on the sort of smart clothes I would recommend you wear

This grey suit would look ideal

Or a monochrome skirt with a black top

Alternatively, a short sleeve dress that would go well with a black blazer.

Also, make sure you have freshly washed hair either nicely styled and opened or pinned up for a smart look.

If you are into make-up, I recommend you stick to a day time-delicate makeup so that you don’t appear more of natural professional beauty. Here is a good makeup tutorial for a daytime work makeup from YouTube.

⁃ Be honest

I know some people like to colour coat some of the things they did in their CV’s.

The thing is… it will show in your interview if you have been honest or not.

Not only you will not get a job, but will most likely feel like an idiot if they find you shaky answering some questions about that particulate skill set you have listed on your CV that you actually have not idea about.

I always believe its best, to be honest as even if this won’t get discovered at the stage of an interview, you will at some point have to prove yourself and fail as you have lied about it.

⁃ Ask questions

During the interview, you will be asked. A lot of questions!

Towards the end, you will, however, have an opportunity to ask your questions.

This is your chance not only to find out more about the department you will be working within, the culture of the company, or the career progression possibility. This is also a chance to prove that you are genuinely interested in the job.

If you don’t have any questions, the interviewer will most likely assume you are not interested in the job. So prepare some questions ahead and ask them at the time you are asked to ask them…

⁃ Speak clearly and slowly not to stumble upon your worlds or speak too fast as it will come across as if you were nervous

I do speak much faster when I get a little nervous.

And I am fully aware of it, so I have been trying to calm myself down whenever I do go for an interview.

It is normal to feel nervous and it’s ok if you do, just be aware that you are and keep this in your mind when going to an interview, it will help you to at least not speak at the 100mph speed.

• Turn up on time

I don’t think this needs to be explained.

People do get late to an interview every single day!

As much as most of the time it will be ok and they wouldn’t mind (unless it’s like a few hours late), it looks very unprofessional. Also, you will most likely get even more stressed out rushing to it and end up messing it up.

So plan your journey well ahead of time and ensure you do call the potential interviewer if you are running late.

That’s it really!

Most of all remember that the purpose of the interview is bi-sided.

It for the company to assess you and for you to assess the company.

If they don’t like you enough to offer you a job, never mind! It wasn’t meant to be.

Likewise, you might not have had a good vibe from the interview to know you wouldn’t fit there. So don’t accept just because they want you, or because you are desperate.

Remember you will be spending on average 8 hrs 5 times a week in the company’s office so you must have a good feeling about it, otherwise, you won’t enjoy yourself and will end up looking for a new job sooner than you think.

Believe in yourself and trust your instincts. Always!

 

I would love to hear from you about what are your best tips on making a good first impression on the interview as a professional and landing a dream job.

So please don’t be shy, type away in the comments below!

Good luck and please don’t forget to share it!

Thank you