Quick Tip – First Minutes of a Job Interview
Look and act the part – Issue #78
Did you know that about 1/3 of interviewers make up their minds about whether or not to hire someone within the first 90 seconds?
By the time your job interview has lasted between 5 and 15 minutes, 52% of interviewers have made their decision.
When interviewers were asked about their decision-making process, they said that:
More than half of their first impressions were created by how the candidate dressed, walked through the door, and acted.
Almost half of the failed interviews were caused by candidates not knowing enough about the hiring company (I’ve rejected candidates due to this).
More than 2/3 of the failed interviews were caused by candidates not making eye contact (I’ve talked about how important this is).
All of this may seem discouraging but flip it around. This means that fundamental social skills can get you past those first few critical minutes in a job interview.
I know that it sounds ridiculous, but it is true; people tend to hire people they like. If all candidates have roughly equivalent qualifications, interviewers will hire the person they like the most.
If you want to make a great first impression, the relationship building starts before the interview takes place. This is one reason that I stress smart networking and connecting with people inside the company ahead of time. It gives you more opportunities to establish contact and build a friendly relationship with them.
In almost every one of my job interviews, I knew — or got to know — people inside the company first. I was introduced through mutual friends or former colleagues. I met them at industry events and conferences. In some cases, I had already spent time with them at parties.
We had a good relationship before I walked into the company on the day of my job interview. Seeing friendly faces welcoming me reduced the stress of the day.
You won’t always be able to meet every single person on your interview team ahead of time. So, be as friendly and personable as you can when you do meet them that day.
Stand up, smile warmly, make good eye contact, and act as if you are meeting an old friend. This technique works for me every time. I make myself feel like I’m catching up with an old friend or colleague.
“A stranger is just a friend I haven’t met yet.” — Will Rogers
Practice your short elevator pitch/introduction so much that you can naturally slide into it when they say, “So, tell me about yourself.” Research the company deeply. Be ready with good answers to the most anticipated interview questions. Have your own questions prepared.
You want to feel well-prepared and relaxed so that you can be calm and friendly. Establish rapport in those first few minutes of the interview. Once the interviewers feel like they like you, you’ll then get your chance to show them why you’re a great hire!
Note, all of this is good advice for consultants and contractors too. First impressions matter!