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MAKING A LASTING IMPRESSION
ON A JOB INTERVIEW
A STUDENT GUIDE
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MAKING A LASTING IMPRESSION
ON 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.
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Often people will assume that all they have to do for an
ALWAYS DO YOUR interview is to be on time and look nice. In today’s job market,
employers and interviewers are expecting much more than that.
HOMEWORK They expect you to know quite a bit about the company, which
BEFORE means putting in the time doing research. Knowledge about the
AN INTERVIEW 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
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.
10 ways that you can learn about a prospective company or organization:
1. Begin by searching the company on Google
2. Visit the company/organization’s corporate website
3. Read the company’s mission statement/find out about their business philosophy
4. Read through the company’s annual report
5. Look for any reviews, press releases or news releases on the company
6. Look up the organization onLinkedIn, find out about the people who work there
7. 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
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HOW TO
PREPARE
FOR THE
INTERVIEW
Make sure you have the skills and qualifications for the position
It 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 you
It’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 questions
This 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 interviewer
Having 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.
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Go on a mock interview
This 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 time
This 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 appropriately
You 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
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how important appearances are when making first impressions.
Be individual, authentic and honest
It’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-point
Sometimes 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 listener
It’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 attitude
It’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 note
Always remember to end the interview positively. Be sure to ask what the next steps are in the hiring
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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
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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.
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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.
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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This guide is offered to you by www.student-jobs.ca.
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STUDENT Canadian Students. It’s our mission to find study related
JOBS jobs that will give students valuable work experience for
their future careers.
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