How to make a great first impression in an interview

Within moments of meeting, the other person immediately forms an impression of you. A successful way to do well in an interview is to quickly grab the interviewer’s attention – make them feel comfortable and like you. Obviously, skills are important, but people place a lot of importance on a person’s personality, appearance, and actions.

The corporate world tends to be buttoned up and traditional. If you’re interviewing for a job at an investment bank, you’ll most likely be wearing a sharp, tailored suit. At a tech startup, more casual attire is acceptable.

Managers want someone they feel comfortable with. Because they will be working closely with you, supervisors want to like and trust you. To gain their interest, you need to play the game by doing several things. Here are some suggestions for making a great first impression.

The interviewer is the most important person in the world

At this point, no one is more important than the person interviewing you. You must give them your full undivided attention.

People’s opinions on how to win someone over are characterized in the media as a smooth, fast-talking salesman who works his way into a big deal. In reality, this approach often backfires. You have to take the opposite approach and put your ego aside. Listen more than you talk. You want to appear authentic, genuine, empathetic and concerned about how you can help the manager.

The best way to do this is by asking them how you could help and then actively listening to their needs. After you hear what the important tasks are, you can ask specific questions to clarify more details. The more they talk, the better they feel about you. In addition to the job description, you now have great source information about what is required for the position. You can then address the pain points by sharing your background, talents, experience, skills and education that will make you successful in the role.

Eye contact, smile and body language

There are very easy steps to make the interviewer like you. Whether it’s in person or on a video call, you need to make eye contact. This doesn’t mean staring at them continuously for a long time. It’s about showing that you’re paying attention to what the person is saying and absorbing the information.

Along with eye contact, nod your head every now and then to confirm that you agree and understand what they are talking about. When the moment is right, you want to offer a smile and some twinkle in your eye to demonstrate that you’re interested in the role and the company.

Stay present in the moment. Don’t squirm in your seat, look away from the camera, or look distracted. If you’re in the person’s office, remember to sit up straight, pull your shoulders back, and maintain a relaxed atmosphere. When video calling, you need to make sure that the lighting, sound and video quality are top notch. The background should be aligned with the image you want to present.

Ask questions that show you’re interested

We all know that compensation, promotions, bonuses, stock options, career development and work style (remote, hybrid, in-office, flexible) are the most important things on your mind. Put them aside for now.

The initial questions to ask the hiring manager. You want to ask the interviewer what made them decide to work at that particular company. Ask if they like their job or not. Politely discuss why they chose you over all the other candidates.

These questions will get them talking. You will learn a lot from their answers. When the person hiring talks more than the interviewee, that’s a good sign. The interviewer begins to tell themselves that they must like you because they spend so much time selling you the job.

Later, during subsequent interviews, you can ask questions about salary, bonuses, vacations, and other important questions. You want to get buy-in first, then salary and other negotiations will be easier later.

Mirror The Interviewer

Everyone has different speech patterns. In New York, people tend to speak quickly and sharply. People from the Midwest have a more relaxed, quiet and slower pace. If you’re not aware of the other person’s style, it can be a turnoff.

Reflect the interviewer’s rhythm. This does not mean copying what they say. It is the art of tailoring your speech pattern to match the interviewer. This will make them feel more relaxed and comfortable.

Also, use their name occasionally. People like and respond better when you use their name in conversation. It draws them in and creates some intimacy. Don’t overdo it or you risk alienating the person with too many repetitions.

Always be positive, genuine and authentic

No matter how horrible your former boss and co-workers were, don’t say anything negative or derogatory about them. If you do, everyone in the interview process will assume that you’ll be badmouthing them later when you leave and interview with another company.

You want to appear positive, motivated and enthusiastic. Demonstrate that you are a team player. Avoid showing off. Instead, be real and authentic. Let them see the real you.