Interview Tips: 7 Ways To Make An Impression At An Interview

So you have just arrived at the interview. You believe you have researched the company, the position you are applying for, and you have also prepared quite a few practice questions and answers beforehand. You have also made sure you look and smell good.

However, there are many more things to consider apart from all this preparation. All the preparation in the world will not matter, if you do not succeed in creating a lasting impression in an interview. The following is 7 step guide to building the right image for your interviewer:

1. Start and Stay Confident at all times

Similar to actors on the stage, as soon as you walk into the interview, your performance and confidence is absolutely key to your success. Act as if you are the single utmost important asset they they will ever lay their eyes upon. It may help by repeating to yourself motivation quotes, or perhaps choosing a few key words (eg: intelligent, powerful, leader) and repeating that to yourself, with the aim of communicating these words through the way you present yourself physically and emotionally. It is important to start confident and to [build upon a strong relationship]in the interview.

2. Practice and Execute your Introduction Seamlessly

Practice an enthusiastic set introduction you prepared earlier, and make sure you communicate this clearly and succinctly to the interviewer. Make sure you are known for who you are and what you believe in, and make sure you are entirely truthful in the process, and that you are engaging the interviewer with your eyes, body language and then your mouth.

3. Firm Up Your Handshake

There are many ways people can shake hands in a professional setting. Most people choose to have a sturdy firm grip, however make the common mistake of being too firm or rigid. Although it may sound like a simple task, the handshake shows off a lasting impression of your body language. The handshake is used universally in business; and knowing when to shake hands and how to shake hands confidently is vital.

4. Build that Rapport

Building rapport is much easier than you think. Ask them about their background, and marvel at their efforts. Luckily if they explain something that you have experienced (for instance, skydiving, surfing, to name a couple) you can have a brief chat about that. Otherwise if you don’t ask them more about their experiences, but make sure the focus is mainly on you. Just remember that it is still a professional interview which demands you to provide adequate responses when required.

5. Body Language & Non-Verbal Communication

Make sure you have open body language and stance when at an interview. Don’t cross your arms when in discussion, don’t cover your mouth, make sure that you are facing straight to the interviewer and try to use eye contact as much as possible. Then again, open body language should be carried through to all facets of your university and career life should be something you do naturally, so try to enforce open body language to everyone you encounter, if you aren’t quite used to it.

6. Answering those Difficult Questions

There are many answers that you should always try your best to avoid when in an interview. Make sure you answer with as much truth as possible, try to be genuine and do not embellish in over egotistical responses. Remember to maintain your eye contact regardless, as many people tend to shy away from the interviewers eyes when they think or make up an answer to a question.

7. Ending the Interview Confidently

After asking your questions, end off the interview with confidence. The interviewer at this point as invested time into finding the best candidate for the job, so make sure you are worth their while. If you can, finish off with a finishing statement thanking them for their time as well as outlining a couple of key reasons why you are the one for the job.

Finish off with a firm handshake, and at this stage, if you’ve performed 1 to 6 correctly, it would be now appropriate to ask for a business card in order to contact them again. When this occurs, make sure to send an email to them officially thanking them for their time and wishing them all the best of luck when it comes to finding the person for the job (hopefully you!)

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