making a lasting impression on a job interview a student guide

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MAKING A LASTING IMPRESSIONON A JOB INTERVIEW

A STUDENT GUIDE

Making a positive lasting impression on a job interview is essential. People often forget that you only get one chance to make a good first impression and it only takes a couple of seconds for a hiring manager or recruiter to form an image of you in their mind. You essentially want to come off as someone who is friendly, polite, positive and enthusiastic about the potential of working at the company or organization.

There are a few tips that every student should know when going on interviews for entry-level, part-time or summer jobs. Interviewers are trying to assess some basic information about you in order to find out if you are the right fit for the job. Your answers, and behaviour, give them the clues that they need to determine how equipped you are. Making a great first impression on an interview is about more than what you say –it also has a lot to do with how you act, particularly your body language, which people often overlook when they’re nervous. Don’t worry if you are not spectacularly well-spoken, the proper preparation and gestures can leave an interviewer with a positive mental image of you and set you apart from your competition. This guide will show you 10 ways through which you can research your company of interest,5 tips to help you prepare before the job interview, several important tips for the day of the interview and finally some clues about what your body language is saying about you.



MAKING A LASTING IMPRESSIONON A JOB INTERVIEW

A STUDENT GUIDE

10 ways that you can learn about a prospective company or organization:

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Often people will assume that all they have to do for an interview is to be on time and look nice. In today’s job market, employers and interviewers are expecting much more than that. They expect you to know quite a bit about the company, which means putting in the time doing research. Knowledge about the company, the requirements of the position and the industry are vital bits of information that can be of use to you on the interview. Your goal is to communicate that you know what you’re talking

1. Begin by searching the company on Google2. Visit the company/organization’s corporate website3. Read the company’s mission statement/find out about their business philosophy4. Read through the company’s annual report5. Look for any reviews, press releases or news releases on the company6. Look up the organization onLinkedIn, find out about the people who work there7. Go on an informational interview with someone working at the company 8. Carefully read through and analyse the job description, including the necessary qualifications and requirements of the position 9. Research the interviewer or hiring manager, get to know their background 10. Search through industry, trade and specialized publications for relevant information


ALWAYS DO YOURHOMEWORKBEFOREAN INTERVIEW

about to the interviewer, instead of giving them the feeling that you just walked in off the street. Knowing the company and industry well is something that will surely make you stand out from the competition.

Research suggests that only about 20% of jobs are ever advertised for publically, which means that

80% of the jobs out there are filled internally, most of the time through references made by other employees in the company. These statistics show that people who know people get more opportunities to interview and meet with key contacts than others who have no connections to the company and simply send in a CV and cover letter. Many lucrative positions are filled before hiring mangers even get the chance to place a job ad! According to Marketwire –a social communications firm headquartered in Toronto –employees hired through referrals are hired 55% faster than those who are external candidates and have no connection to the company. This proves that it certainly pays to know someone on the inside, either working for the company that you’re interested in or even working in the industry.


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Make sure you have the skills and quali�cations for the positionIt goes without saying that the employer is primarily trying to assess whether you have the

necessary skills to perform the job. To be sure, make sure to emphasize the skills, qualifications and personality traits that the employer mentioned in the job description. Also, make sure to highlight your personal strengths and the soft skills that you’re the most proficient in.

Make sure that you communicate why they should choose youIt’s important to communicate to the interviewer the reasons why they should choose you over

another candidate. It’s fundamental to communicate how you would be an asset to the company. Be clear about what you’re career goals and objectives are for the futurebefore you arrive at the interview. If the organization fits well with your career aims and goals, and if you support their philosophy and mission, you will be a likely perfect fit for the company.

Prepare answers to possible interview questionsThis is a crucial part of interview preparation. You need to be able to have well-constructed and

thoughtful answers to some basic interview questions. You should also come to the interview being ready to answer questions related to the requirements of the role you are applying for. Begin by researching some of the standard questions asked in an interview and write down your answers to them. This will help you to be more relaxed on the day of the interview. Be prepared to discuss your past job experiences, your strengths and weaknesses, the challenges that you have had and how you resolved them, and what your most valuable learning experiences have been. It’s important to be able to back-up the things that you say you can do on your CV. Remember to be specific and give examples when describing your strengths, experiences and successes.

Prepare your own list of questions for the interviewerHaving your own questions to ask not only helps keep the flow of the conversation going, it also

shows that you have really done your homework and are truly serious about the position. Prepare your own list of questions regarding the particular job position, the company, the profession or industry, the job expectations and demands, the workplace environment, or even for the interviewer themself. Asking and preparing questions helps you to gain access to key information and better prepares you to answer questions throughout your discussion. Doing research on the position and company beforehand will help you to devise these questions.


Go on a mock interviewThis is a great way to make you feel more at ease about going on a job interview. Interviews with prospective employers can be stressful. Your university or college career center may offer mock interview sessions where you can practice going over the questions and proceedings of an interview. You can gain insight on how to best present yourself. This experience will allow you to gain useful feedback on your performance and learn tips that will enable you to succeed. Practice in this case does make perfect!

Some Tips to Remember the Day of the Interview

Be on timeThis is an obvious necessity, but it often gets overlooked. There is really no valid excuse for being late for a job interview. Being late, even just a few minutes, shows that you didn’t care enough to conscientiously prepare yourself and arrive on time to begin the arranged meeting. This makes for a terrible first impression and pretty much ruins all chances of being seriously considered. Make sure that you have the correct address and the correct location of the interview. Ensure that you know the necessary directions and that you take account for possible traffic. Career guru Katie Roth, owner of Portico Staffing, suggests taking a test run to the location the day before. She indicates that it is normal to arrive 5-10 minutes before the interview begins, arriving too early may make the interviewer feel rushed.

Dress appropriatelyYou need to make sure that you are wearing the right clothing. Appearance plays a major role in creating a first impression. You want to appear polished, professional and clean. Being underdressed for a job interview is worse than being overdressed –however you don’t want to overdo it either! Don’t wear clothing that you are extremely uncomfortable in just to impress the interviewer. Dress appropriately for the position and organization. Try and imagine what the interviewer or employees at the company might be wearing. Most interviews have a business casual dress code; however some positions may allow you to dress more casually or require you to be more formal in your attire. Roth suggests that you should dress one level above what would be required for the position. Don’t over embellish –it’s alright to be unique in your appearance, but professionalism is the key here. Remember

how important appearances are when making first impressions.

Be individual, authentic and honestIt’s important to just relax and be yourself on an interview. Employers value candidates who are open and honest about themselves and their capabilities. Being authentic also helps to set you apart from your competition and make you memorable to your interviewer. Never lie in order to impress a hiring manager, this often used tactic does not pay off in the long run.If you can’t do something, just admit it and emphasize your willingness to learn new skills. You do not need to look perfect on an interview! Sometimes, showing some of your flaws will make you seem more honest and trustworthy. If you do mention weaknesses or challenges, emphasize how you overcame them and what you learned from the situation. Don’t generalize, or worse, try to completely avoid difficult questions –just be honest.

Be concise and to-the-pointSometimes candidates will tend to ramble in an interview and go off on tangents instead of actually answering the questions being posed and keeping the interview flowing. It’s alright to elaborate on critical points, but don’t become sidetracked or lose focus. Be specific and give relevant examples, but try and be concise. Be sure to provide an answer to each question asked.

Be a good listenerIt’s important to listen as well as speak. Carefully listening to the interviewer and taking notes is a good way to show your attentiveness, focus and respect for the interviewer. Don’t try and take over the conversation, you should be doing as much listening as speaking.

Come with the right attitudeIt’s important that you maintain a positive and enthusiastic attitude while on the interview. Employers want to interview people who really want the job, are motivatedand ready for a challenge. Employers seek out candidates that are perseverant, confident and high performing. You need to communicate how much you want the job and how much the opportunity would mean to you in a sincere fashion.

End on the right foot and follow up with a thank you noteAlways remember to end the interview positively. Be sure to ask what the next steps are in the hiring

process, so you can prepare to follow-up. Thank the interviewer for their time and let them know that you anticipate hearing from them soon. Restate why you would be an asset to the company and why you would like to be offered the position. As soon as possible, send the interviewer a thank you note –once again thanking them for their time. Keep the note brief; clearly and concisely recap why you would be a perfect fit and why you are eager and still interested in the job position.

What Your Body Language Says About You

Your body language communicates a lot about you as a person before you actually have a chance to say anything. Although it’s common to feel a little nervous when you’re interviewing for a job, you need to ensure that you project confidence. There’s no need to change who you are –if you’re an introverted person, that’s alright, but don’t let that come off as disinterested. Body language has to do with your demeanor, mannerisms and overall persona. It is usually unconscious – we often don’t even realize what we are communicating through our body language. Here are some tips about maintaining good body language on an interview:

Smile: Smiling is an easy way to communicate enthusiasm, friendliness and interest.

Shake hands and introduce yourself: Offering your hand out for a hand shake is an immediate indicator of confidence and self-assurance according to hiring managers. After shaking your interviewer’s hand, briefly introduce yourself and why you have come (what position you are interviewing for).

Make eye contact: This may be obvious, but can be difficult if you’re feeling nervous or are shy. It’s important to make eye contact with your interviewer and actively participate in the conversation instead of looking at the floor, a spot on the wall or your notes.

Posture: Posture is important on a job interview. You want to show the interviewer that you are alert, focused and prepared. You want to communicate that you are conscientious.

Be friendly and polite: Your interview begins as soon as you arrive at the location. Be friendly to everyone you meet at the company; anyone you meet might give feedback on you to the interviewer

or hiring manager. You ideally want to make a good first impression on everyone.

Relax: Remember to take some deep breaths and relax. This is an important factor in maintaining a calm and poised persona. You want to come off as confident, but not arrogant. Employers want people who are self-assured, motivated and secure in their ability to deliver on the job. Feeling uncomfortable or tense will undoubtedly make the interviewer feel that way too and will create the wrong first impression. Remember to be yourself on the interview and don’t try and sell yourself as something that you’re not.

Present yourself professionally: This step has a lot to do with your physical appearance but also your demeanor. You want to communicate professionalism when you walk into a company or organization for an interview, which means acting mature and being polite and respectful. As mentioned earlier, dress appropriately for the position/company and avoid causing too much attention to your physical appearance. This means that you should avoid wearing things like excessive jewelry, provocative clothing and too much perfume or make-up. Depending on the type of position or work environment, you may want to cover up visible tattoos and remove piercings (other than earrings) for an interview. Remember that you are entering a workplace environment; you need to blend in somewhat with the other people working there. The interviewer does not know you; your physical appearance is the first thing they notice about you and you don’t want to give them the wrong idea. Take five minutes before the interview to check your appearance before meeting the interviewer.

Be positive: Positivity and enthusiasm are fundamental on a job interview. You never want to give off a negative vibe to an interviewer, because they just won’t respond well to it and you will probably not get hired. It’s crucial to show how much you want the position, and that you are grateful for the interviewer’s time. You don’t have to be overly bubbly, but a positive and upbeat candidate will be remembered over someone who comes off as bored, indifferent or disinterested. Positivity (and negativity!) can be communicated subtly and without saying a word, someone can pick up these signals just by your aura.

HOW TOPREPAREFOR THEINTERVIEW

Don’t chew gum, turn of your phone and don’t bring anything unnecessary to the interview: It’s important to take note of the little things that can create the wrong impression on a job interview. Never chew gum, bring candy or food, or come in with your own drink or coffee. Don’t wear a hat or sunglasses and don’t bring in any surplus items that are unnecessary for the interview. Always remember to turn off your cell phone and don’t bring along any mobile or electronic devices that may cause a distraction.















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Making a Great First Impression Doesn’t Have to Be a Challenge!

Making a great first impression on an interview means taking the time to do the little things that really matter in the end. Go over these tips to help you prepare for your next interview; using the tricks in this guide is sure to relieve any pre-interview stress and guarantee that you make a great first impression!



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