How to Make a Great First Impression

Your well-crafted résumé earned you an interview with one of the best employers in Texas. However, the actual face-to-face meeting plays the biggest role in getting a job offer.

It’s obvious. You need to make a great first impression on the interviewer for a chance at a second interview and potentially the job of your dreams.

What follows are a few tips on how to make the best possible impression during a job interview. Hopefully, these insights give you a great shot at an offer. Good luck!

Professional Dress and Personal Hygiene

Obviously, professional dress is a must for any job interview. This golden rule applies even if the company in question has a casual dress policy. You need to look sharp and be ready to make a positive impact.

Follow a similar approach when it comes to personal grooming. Take extra care when preparing the morning before the interview. Don’t let your appearance detract from your performance.

A Firm Handshake and Natural Eye Contact

Offer a firm handshake to the interviewer upon first meeting them. This is the first impression, after all. Additionally, be sure to make natural eye contact throughout the interview, especially when listening. Try not to stare, however.

Spending time practicing your interview techniques beforehand is a great way to work on these issues. Try to get a friend or professional colleague to serve as the interviewer for the best results.

Answer Clearly and Confidently

Expect the interviewer to probe into the details beyond the information on your résumé. This includes your technical skills as well as the tangible impacts you made throughout your professional history. You need to answer their questions clearly and confidentially, so this information needs to be at the forefront of your mind.

As such, spend some time studying the contents of your CV with an eye towards how to provide more detail based on an interviewer’s questions. Fumbling over your thoughts won’t help your chances at a job offer.

Research the Company

Asking a meaningful question or two about the company when prompted definitely gives a good impression to the interviewer. So, research the company in question so you understand their mission, culture, project work and leadership team. Use this information to form your questions.

When you need additional advice on interview preparation, talk with the expert recruiters at Peyton Resource Group. As one of the top staffing agencies in the Southwest, we know the companies looking for great candidates. Connect with us soon!

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