Job Interview? 7 ways to impress in the first 5 minutes of a job interview

Job interview – First impressions can be hard to shake — and that’s especially true in a 30-minute job interview. So you’ll want to wow the hiring manager as quickly as possible. It’s mostly a matter of preparing ahead of time so that, even if you get nervous, you’ll know exactly how to behave.

Below, we’ve rounded up the best strategies for impressing the hiring manager within the first five minutes of a job interview — or sooner.

Arrive 10 to 15 minutes early

Most everyone knows being late for a job interview can be a big turnoff. But showing up as early as possible isn’t necessarily appealing either.

Be polite to the receptionist

There are eyes everywhere, especially at the front desk. Business Insider’s Rachel Gillett reported that some hiring managers check in with their receptionist to find out how you behaved before the interview — and the person’s feedback can affect your chances of landing the position.

Make eye contact when you meet the person

When the hiring manager comes to greet you, be sure to look him or her in the eye

Shake hands firmly

Nonverbal communication is all-important in making a solid first impression.

Be friendly if the person tries to make small talk

Recent research suggests that seemingly idle chitchat before the interview really gets started — what psychologists call “rapport building” — can make a big impact on the interviewer’s impression of you.

Bring extra copies of your résumé

Sure, the hiring manager has digital copies of your résumé and cover letter. But make life easy for him or her and bring a few hard copies with you.

Ask questions that can help guide the rest of the conversation

You don’t necessarily have to wait until the interviewer asks if you have any questions.

Read the full article here

Source: Business Insider SA