Other

How to make a good impression on an employer during a job interview? How to make a strong impression on an employer at an interview.

So, you have been invited for an interview. Before you open the door to your future, remember: it takes no more than 30 seconds to make the first - the most lasting - impression. Studies have shown that the first impression that a job seeker makes on a potential employer is indeed very lasting and can develop into subconscious prejudice or, conversely, inexplicable sympathy.

In one study, participants were shown 20-30 second video clips of interviews that captured the moment applicants met an employer. Participants in the experiment assessed such qualities of applicants as self-confidence and ability to be liked. As it turned out, their assessments - based on first impressions - largely coincided with the assessments of employers who spoke with applicants for 20 minutes.

Fortunately, first impressions can be overcome - you just need to master a few simple techniques.

Timing

Few things leave a worse impression on a potential employer than an applicant being late for an interview or any other important meeting. Therefore, allow enough time to prepare for the interview and get to the interview location (in case you cannot find the office right away).

But this does not mean that you need to come to the meeting earlier than the specified time. If you're on site 15 minutes before your interview and you're an eyesore in the waiting room, it can irritate the employer and make you come across as someone who's desperate for a job. If you arrive at the meeting place before the appointed time, sit in a nearby cafe or check your appearance in the toilet.

Ideally, you should arrive for your interview five to ten minutes early, and be sure to be polite and attentive to everyone you meet at the company - you never know how much the secretary can influence the decision to hire you.

Appearance

Whether you like it or not, most people make an opinion about a new acquaintance based on their clothes, so it is very important to look professional. However, an overly business suit often looks unnatural, while casual clothes indicate that your intentions are not serious and your attitude to work is frivolous.

Never show up to an interview wearing clothes that are sloppy, dirty, tight, or too revealing. Tailored business suit or suit famous brand- here is a universal dress code for an interview for both men and women. And don't forget about accessories: they should be clean and in harmony with the rest of the ensemble. If discrepancies are still permissible in matters of clothing, then the hairstyle should definitely be neat, the hair should be clean, and the nails should be trimmed. Remember that your smell should not get ahead of you, so before the meeting, be sure to take a shower, use good toilet soap and deodorant. But it is better to refrain from using perfume or cologne with a strong smell.

So, the hairstyle should be neat - no flashy accents or radical shades - and makeup should be kept to a minimum. Tattoos should be hidden or disguised, and there should be no more than one earring per ear (for women, of course).

Handshake

Experts on issues business communication We are firmly convinced that a handshake says more about us than we would like. A weak and hesitant handshake - and your interlocutor will suspect you of weakness of character or cowardice. A handshake that is too strong and strong - and the interlocutor will attribute to you a desire to dominate or excessive enthusiasm. But a confident and moderately strong handshake speaks of leadership qualities and endears your interlocutor to you.

So, reach out and shake the other person's hand when your palms touch. Shake your hands together with a handshake several times, but without excessive zeal.

Body language

Do not underestimate the importance of posture and the smallest movements, including facial movements. A study conducted by Albert Mehrabian showed that 55% of the information in the communication process is derived from body movements.

If you want your interlocutor to notice your self-confidence, sit up straight with your shoulders back. Do not cross your legs or lounge in your chair as if you were sitting at home, even if your interlocutor is sitting in this position.

Try not to show your excitement. Don't make a fuss. Avoid unnecessary movements. Do not touch your accessories, jewelry, face, hair, or cross your arms. Try not to lose eye contact with the interviewer. If you can't maintain eye contact at all times, look at the bridge of the other person's nose - this trick creates the illusion that you are looking directly into the interviewer's eyes, while reducing distractions.

5 situations to avoid

...But you thought you were prepared for this interview in the best possible way. But sometimes even the best-laid plans are disrupted by unpredictable circumstances. Therefore, you need to be prepared for unpleasant situations in order to prevent them or meet them fully armed. Rest assured, a potential employer will appreciate your ability to find a way out of a critical situation.

Late

It doesn't matter whether you overslept, got stuck in traffic, or have a more exotic excuse, being late is unlikely to endear you to your employer.

Solution: If you are late and do not make it to the appointed time, be sure to call back and notify the company where you are going for an interview. This will save the employer from humiliating waiting and give him the opportunity to reschedule the meeting to another, later time or to another day.

No resume

You grabbed a briefcase, but forgot at home your portfolio with a set of resumes printed on beautiful paper, all the letters of recommendation representing you at your best the best side, and also best examples your work.

Solution: this situation can be easily avoided if you plan ahead. Don't rely on printouts and paper versions necessary documents. Stock up electronic version resume - it is best to publish it on your personal Internet page, website or store it in email. This allows you to get immediate access to your resume from anywhere in the world where there is Internet access, including from the employer’s office.

Problems with the suit

Somewhere on the way to the office, your perfectly ironed suit became wrinkled, torn, or, thanks to a passing car, unsightly stains of dirt appeared on it.

Solution: It's best to briefly explain what happened right away. Everyone has been in this situation, so your mud-stained pants are more likely to make your interviewer feel sympathetic rather than annoyed.

Forgetfulness

During an interview, you are nervous, so forgetfulness and absent-mindedness are quite natural.

Solution: If you don't write down the name of the person you're interviewing with, don't see his name on his desk, or can't read his name on the numerous certificates and certificates adorning the walls of the office, there's no need to pretend that you remember him. At the first convenient opportunity, ask the interviewer for his business card and continue with the interview.

Interviewer's disinterest

You arrive at an interview full of hopes and expectations, only to be met with complete indifference by the interviewer, who barely dignifies you with a casual nod instead of a greeting.

Solution: If the interviewer doesn't listen to you, does that indicate indifference? Perhaps he is simply busy with other, more serious matters and solving a complex problem? Try to attract his attention, and if this does not help, offer to reschedule the interview to another time more convenient for the interviewer.

Job seekers often get nervous if an interview doesn't go as planned, but how you handle a difficult or unpleasant situation says more about you than your resume and references.

Each of us has at least once been faced with the need to undergo an interview. This is always a very exciting process, it doesn’t matter whether the interview is over the phone or in person, it is very important to impress the employer, to show that you are really the applicant that the boss or head of the company’s HR department wants to see in this position.

An interview is the third stage of an active job search, the stage of a personal meeting with an employer to resolve the issue of employment.

In the first stage, a person who wants to get a position in a company or institution draws up a resume and distributes it through various communication channels. The document can be posted on the Internet on specialized websites and shown to friends.

The second step involves completing the following tasks:

use the services of an employment center (if the employee has already been released);
apply for a job in an organization educational institutions, to enterprises in writing or by telephone. To make effective calls, you need to constantly improve your telephone conversation technique.

Once invited for an interview, the resume should be used as a supporting document. These also include:

portfolio – a folder whose contents reflect the academic and work achievements of the candidate: photographs, articles, design projects, sketches for advertising campaigns, school lesson plans, certificates of advanced training;
a list of people who can give a recommendation - a personal description and review of the employee from the previous place of work;
originals of education diplomas, insignia, certificates (just in case).

General principles of interviewing

Another name for a candidate’s conversation with a representative of an organization is an interview. Why is the interview conducted? So that the applicant for the position shows his best side, and the employer chooses a suitable employee from a dozen applicants.

Who conducts the interview? Most often, this responsible mission is entrusted to the HR manager. If a commission of 2 or more people is created, it includes both a leader and a psychologist. Each of them evaluates the candidate’s personality that they understand best.

The rules of a job interview take the form of a recommended manner of behavior and determine the degree of courage of a person who has taken an important step - crossed the threshold of the employer's company. The applicant should leave fear behind the office door and simply fulfill his purpose - to make the right impression on the interviewer and receive a well-deserved invitation to fill the vacancy.

What do you need to know at a job interview? General erudition is unlikely to let you down, and when you add to it professional competence, personal charm and the ability to win over a person, then the result simply must live up to expectations. To help the future employee, and now the candidate, there are fundamental theses. If you keep them in mind, the likelihood of making mistakes during an interview decreases.

So, you need:

Tell the truth, but without extremes. Everyone has disadvantages, but there are always more advantages. The determination to work on oneself is a small plus in favor of the candidate.
Behave confidently, relaxed, but not vulgar.
Have an explanation for all points on your resume.
Be prepared to answer tricky, unexpected questions: who knows what’s on the employer’s mind?
Be careful to avoid fraud: the interview should be conducted at the workplace so that the candidate is immediately “immersed” in the corporate atmosphere, so to speak.
Be comfortable with the amount of time allotted for the interview. Applicants for one position who submit their resumes contribute to the creation of “competition” conditions. The interview with them lasts differently, as the interviewer shows an individual approach. He may ask to reveal this or that point in the summary in more detail or even unexpectedly change the tone in which the conversation is conducted.
Face failure with dignity. Serious companies create a database of applicants. If this time the employment attempt is unsuccessful, the promising candidate is placed in the reserve. It will be kept in mind in the event of a re-opening of the vacancy.

Preparation is the best help for a candidate

Having information gives you strength and confidence. An applicant for a position needs these qualities more than anyone else. His task is successful interview, advice during preparation is provided to him as a generalized experience of applicants like him.

Aware is armed, so you need to:

find out as much as possible about the place of work, position, requirements;
formulate for yourself life goals and ways to achieve them;
study frequently asked interview questions and rehearse answers with a sparring partner or in front of a mirror;
think about the size you want wages and what you can be interested in, from a personal point of view (hobbies, hobbies, travel): suddenly the employer will be inclined to normal communication, and not to “interrogation with bias”;
think through the details of the image in advance so as not to fly to the office “in a hurry”;
auto-training, yoga, punching a punching bag to overcome anxiety and try to hide the desperate financial situation: if the employer sees this negative, he will offer not the most favorable terms of cooperation, knowing that the person will agree to them;
understand whether the desire to get this job is strong enough to move to another city for it;
decide on the goal (this is the name of the position for which a person is applying): you cannot become a hotel manager and a bartender at the same time. The attitude of “at least they’ll take me somewhere” is unproductive.

Now the candidate has a rough idea of how to prepare for a job interview. It is difficult to take into account all the nuances, but what a person owns, what he can do, and what he is proud of will always be with him. Down with doubts - and forward to the interview! But it’s better not to open the boss’s office door with your feet...

What not to do during an interview?

Socially and morally determined prohibitions related to an interview are similar to exceptions to the rules in a Russian language textbook. There are always fewer of them than recommendations and requirements. By remembering them, you can protect yourself from banal and offensive mistakes when applying for a job.

Psychologists and experienced interviewers are very clear about what not to do or undertake if hiring is not just a whim:

be irritated yourself and irritate your interlocutor;
nervously looking at the clock, as if an “important interview” is about to begin somewhere else;
be late;
interrupt the interviewer or, noticing that he is writing something down, unceremoniously ask what it is;
answer calls from worried people: it is better to turn off the phone and put it on silent mode;
make unambiguous hints of an intimate nature;
offer a bribe, blackmail, get personal, be rude;
chew gum, chew a pencil, rock on a chair, fidget with clothes/hair, make any other involuntary gestures that indicate lack of confidence in yourself or what you are saying;
understate/overstate your achievements;
take a “closed pose”: legs placed crosswise, hands clasped on the chest. This situation indicates prejudice and unpreparedness for joint activities;
grimace, swear, laugh loudly or otherwise express emotions in an inappropriate way;
speak unkindly about your former employer: it is better to remain silent or nicely change the subject.

How to behave, what and how to say at an interview?

During the interview you can program positive effect. When a candidate knows what behaviors and other manifestations are taboo and undesirable, he can focus on how to interest and impress even the most strict employer. In order to correctly structure communication and behavior during a job interview, you need not only to master the theory of this issue, but also to feel the dynamics of the situation directly “in the process.”

What does the interviewer pay attention to? His field of vision and perception includes:

content and literacy of a resume (skills in expressing thoughts in writing);
image - in general and in detail: clothes, shoes, hairstyle, makeup, perfume, accessories;
micro movements of the face, movements of the eyes, arms, legs;
ability to formulate a goal and answer questions (oral skills).

When an employer asks additional questions, he wants to hear in response another convincing argument that the candidate “fits” into the specifics and concept of this company. Psychologists advise not to skimp on facts and to specify your successes as much as possible - in numbers, in percentages.

How to communicate correctly during an interview? Here are two tricks that will never let you down:

What does the first impression depend on? It is, in essence, the complex feeling that an interviewer experiences when meeting a person for the first time. The human factor cannot be denied. The employer may have his own preferences and whims, but it is desirable that he knows how to curb them.

When choosing a future employee, common sense and corporate expediency should be his main guide. It depends on the candidate how he will position himself. What he is not able to influence in his favor is the time factor, the mood of the manager, competition, employment “through pull”, the fact that demand for jobs predominates over supply.

There are three possible results for hiring:

Got it!
They didn't take it!
They took me to the next round of selection - if the position is very prestigious and highly paid.

What are the signs that the current interview is a relatively successful event?

the conversation is built in the form of a live dialogue;
praise is periodically addressed to the applicant;
the employer first briefly describes what kind of person is suitable for the position, and then, with a word or gesture, makes it clear that the candidate has the necessary traits;
the interviewer leans forward with his whole body, listens attentively, reacts in a non-trivial way, looks forward to the answer to the question: he is interested in learning more about the applicant than is written in the resume;
the employer is clearly upset that the time allocated for the interview is already coming to an end;
The interviewer introduces the company team.

The longer and more lively the conversation, the greater the chance of entering the “top three” among applicants. First, the employer/HR manager forms a first impression, and in a further conversation he becomes convinced of its correctness, validity, or changes his opinion to the opposite.

The candidate is waiting for the employer's response, like a student waiting for grades on a test. The verdict is not an empty phrase for purposeful person who really wants to work for this company. This person deserves respect if only on the grounds that she has gone through a difficult path to make getting a job from a dream come true.

90% of the impression about a person is created
In the first minute and a half of communication.
Alan Pease

The first impression is the strongest, but, alas, not always the most correct. Maybe you are a sweet, cheerful person, but today, when you are destined to appear before your employer, you got up in the morning with a headache and you have the stamp of everyone on your face. earthly worries.

You open the door to the office where you will work, prepare to say “hello” and meet the laughing gaze of your future colleague. “Something’s wrong,” flashes disturbing thought and no longer gives rest. Your welcoming speech to the employer turns out to be somehow muffled, and the calm balance of the business mood slowly evaporates. And the simple thought does not even occur to you that literally a minute before your arrival someone told a funny story, remembered a fun day off.

Start immediately working on yourself right now, before you have time to spoil the impression of yourself, because you won't have a second chance to do the first good impression .

An impression of you begins to form even before you say hello. When you go somewhere, a positive attitude is very important. Assume the most favorable outcome for you and assure yourself that it cannot be otherwise. For example, when going for an interview, mentally repeat to yourself: “This job is for me. I will definitely be hired for this job. I am a valuable employee, a competent specialist.” However, the options may be different, the main thing is that you tune in positive result and were confident in their abilities.

So, here are a few rules to help you make a good impression.

FIRST, Smile! A gloomy guy with a sour face and dissatisfaction with the whole world will not arouse either sympathy or pity. What kind of manager would want to have such an employee? Therefore, before entering the room where you will have to meet your future colleagues or boss, stop for a few seconds and remember the most fun and pleasant thing that happened to you in your life, what made you smile and laugh. The smile will turn out to be sincere, and you will no longer be able to frown.

Imagine what kind of person, with what facial expression you might like. So try the same image of a handsome guy, master it, settle in like new home; you should feel cozy and comfortable in it, only then will you look natural in this role.

SECOND. Be polite. Remember the famous “Nothing is so cheap or valued so much as politeness”? Only a mentally ill person can respond with rudeness to an apology or be rude in response to a request “tell me, please...”.

Politeness can be benevolent or offensive when it is deliberate and emphasized. “Goodbye” at the end of a conversation, said in a warm tone, expresses hope for a quick meeting, and a cold “goodbye” after an unpleasant conversation expresses a desire not to meet again.

THIRD. Modesty has always been one of the virtues (not to be confused with shyness and shyness).

Modesty involves calmness and self-confidence, self-respect and respect for others.

Modesty does not seek to stick oneself out, emphasize one’s exclusivity, or demand for oneself special conditions and privileges.

FOURTH. Don't be intrusive. Show genuine interest in the interlocutor, but do not be obsessively curious, do not bother with questions. You need to speak as briefly and as pleasantly as possible.

FIFTH. Be confident. Trust is usually caused by a self-confident person, and there is nothing surprising about this. Could you trust a person if he doesn’t trust himself? If he himself does not believe in what he says, if he is not sure that he will fulfill what he promised? If you cannot yet be said to be self-confident, at least pretend that you know exactly why you need this job, and you know that you will cope with your new responsibilities 100% and justify the trust of your boss.

In order to look confident in your abilities, watch your hand movements. Often they are the ones who reveal our anxiety. If you like to twist in your hands various items, tapping your fingers on the table, these gestures reveal your nervous mood. Psychologists say that with the help of a certain facial expression, gestures, and body position, you can program in yourself the state of mind you need. To begin with, try to “put on” a smile, walk around with a “glued” smile for 10 - 15 minutes. It is better that no one sees you during this time. This exercise will help you maintain calm and composure in any situation.

And one more thing a few rules.

Don't give advice unless you are asked for it.
Do not interfere in someone else's conversation if you were not invited to it.
The pace of speech should be calm, not fast, and the pronunciation of words should be clear and clear.
Speak your partner's language, i.e. your words and terms should be clear to your interlocutor.
Eliminate slang words and common expressions from your speech, and do not abuse foreign words.
When appropriate, highlight common goals or interests.
Do not use " active listening": assenting, repeating individual words of the interlocutor, summarizing: “If I understood correctly...”.
Do not boast about your acquaintances and connections with high-ranking people; You can mention them if you are asked about it.

During a conversation, remember the language of glances and gestures: do not look at your interlocutor point-blank - this is a challenge, but do not hide your eyes, otherwise he will doubt your veracity. When talking, it is not customary to yawn or show your fatigue in other ways, point a finger, pat your interlocutor on the shoulder, or tidy up your hair or clothes.

Of course you have to be good specialist, competent, knowledgeable about the problems related to your professional activity, follow the news in your area of work. But as a competent specialist, you will be assessed later in the process of work, and for the first time, minutes of communication with the employer will evaluate you as a person, as an individual. Therefore, your personality should glow with goodwill and radiate optimism.

See the world as a gift new job- as a chance to succeed, a new boss and colleagues - as kind and nice people. Straighten your shoulders, because a stooped back is main feature loser, and go ahead!

A famous saying goes: “You only have one chance to make a first impression.” Sounds corny? As studies show, 33% of managers decide after the first 90 seconds whether to hire an applicant. How to make a good impression before the interview even begins?

Eat English expression "dress to impress" , which translates to “dress to impress.” Make sure that what you wear to an interview highlights your personality. strengths: professionalism, business approach, taste. Be aware of the dress code the night before your interview. If you find it difficult to choose an outfit, always choose business style. When choosing clothes for an interview, it is always better to be proactive and go a little overboard than to look careless or unprofessional. Do not overuse perfume before the interview itself.

2. Punctuality

Find out in advance how long it will take to get to the interview location. Please take into account the traffic conditions and traffic jams during peak hours. Try to be on point 5-10 minutes before the start of the interview. If you want to produce good first impression, do not arrive for the interview earlier than 10 minutes before the appointed time. 5-10 minutes is enough to catch your breath, get yourself in order and find an office.

If you are late, be sure to notify your employer. Some applicants believe that being 5-15 minutes late is not critical and will not be noticed by the employer. But that's not true. Some employers will note this for themselves and draw conclusions about you as a not very punctual candidate. It’s even worse if you are late and your employer calls you to check whether you will arrive.

3. Positive attitude and smile

When meeting the interviewer, be confident and smile.

- I'll say something stupid.
- Then smile. It's always appropriate. You need to smile when you don't know the answer. It doesn't make you smarter, but it does make you nicer to those who look at you.
Film "Nikita"

In the first minutes, visual contact with the recruiter is important. Be prepared for a positive outcome of the interview. Before the interview itself, remember situations in your life when you felt unshakable self-confidence and were a winner. Try to get into it emotional state and maintain it throughout the interview.

4. Handshake

In Russian culture, as a rule, men shake hands, while women do without a handshake. However, pay attention to how you offer your hand and shake hands with your interlocutor. A hand held palm down speaks of closedness, restraint, and reluctance to open up. An “open” hand, palm facing up, characterizes you as a sociable person who makes contact. A weak handshake is perceived as uncertainty, shyness and indecisiveness. On the contrary, a handshake that is too strong is often characteristic of people prone to mood swings, dominance, outbursts of aggression, and sometimes a tendency to manipulate other people. A moderately strong, but not overly strong handshake inspires respect and trust.

5. Notepad and pen

Always bring a notepad and pen to an interview. Why is this important? You will be able to write down key points during the interview. This way you show the recruiter that you are organized person. Managers large companies People who have achieved a lot have a habit of writing down important thoughts so that they can refer to them later. By writing down, you show the other person that what he is saying is important to you. At the beginning of the interview, check with the interviewer whether he would mind you noting important points in a notepad. Be a professional!

6. Eye contact

Try to maintain eye contact with the recruiter at all times. A glance wandering around the room, firstly, distracts you from the speech of your interlocutor, and secondly, it lets him know that you are bored listening to him. It’s bad when the applicant “looks at the table” throughout the interview. But on the contrary, a close look into the eyes of your interlocutor will be perceived as an invasion of your personal zone. Find a middle ground - look into the eyes of your interlocutor when he speaks to make it clear that you are listening to him attentively, but periodically look away when you speak, so as not to put pressure on your interlocutor by constantly looking at him.

You are already ready for the interview: you have made inquiries about the company, prepared a story about yourself and answers to possible questions recruiter But regardless of experience and professionalism, you can give the impression of a pleasant person, or you may end up among those who simply “didn’t like you.” To prevent the latter from happening, follow our advice.

Arrive on time

You cannot be late for an interview. Everyone knows about this rule and still breaks it. You must be prepared for traffic jams, vehicle breakdowns, and the fact that you will not be able to immediately find the right office. Give yourself plenty of time: if you show up 15-20 minutes before the interview starts, you will have time to collect your thoughts and assess the situation. And you definitely won’t be late due to unexpected traffic jams.

If force majeure does occur, warn the recruiter about it: his day is probably planned in advance. It is better to warn about being late than to apologize 20 times after the fact.

Dress appropriately

Of course, appearance is not the main thing, but you will still be greeted at an interview based on your manners and clothing. So that the latter does not fail, take care of yours appearance. We have already told you how to do this.

Even if the company does not have strict requirements for the style of employees, it will be better if you come in a business suit, your hair is neat and your shoes are polished. This way, the recruiter will immediately note your serious attitude towards the job. Another tip is to wash your hands before the interview: make sure your handshake is confident and pleasant.

Take only what you need

Perhaps a boost of caffeine makes you think better. But this does not mean that you need to take an unfinished glass of cappuccino with you to an interview. Don't chew gum or calm your nerves with a candy bar. If communication with a recruiter begins with the question: “Where do you throw away the trash?” - this is unlikely to put you in a favorable light. Stay organized. A minimum of things - a minimum of problems.

The recruiter may ask for a printed copy of your resume or documents from your portfolio. All this should be ready so that you don’t have to rummage through your briefcase, digging through a pile of extra papers and taking away precious minutes of the interview.

Put your phone down, turn off the sound

Instead of scrolling through your phone and listening to music, skim through your resume and prepare your talking points. Don’t give the impression of a person who has his head buried in his phone and reacts little to the world around us: on the contrary, to look advantageous against the background of other candidates, put your mobile phone away and focus on the purpose of your visit.

Be polite to all employees

The job interview begins before you even begin the conversation with the recruiter or employer. In fact, they begin to evaluate you from the moment you cross the threshold of the building. Be polite to the secretary, say hello to employees who cross your path. Often, the head of an enterprise or HR manager asks colleagues about the candidate’s demeanor and how comfortable he seemed in communication. Therefore, try to make it a pleasure to do business with you.

Connect with your employer

Don’t be afraid to take the first step when communicating with a recruiter (or future boss) - give him your hand, start the conversation yourself. Try to initially set a positive tone for communication: “break the ice” with a light joke or remark about the weather. Be as open and welcoming as possible. Don't think that you're here just to answer questions - ask your own! If you notice certificates or diplomas in your interlocutor’s office or know something about him from social networks, ask about it. Perhaps you will find general topics and even mutual friends. This will help establish informal contact, which is so important for the emergence of genuine human sympathy. And people tend to help those they like.