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Own the Interview: 5 Tips to Make a Stellar First Impression

Own the Interview: 5 Tips to Make a Stellar First Impression

A job interview gives you a golden opportunity to land your dream job, especially if you make a stellar first impression. Because, if you impress a potential employer from the get-go, you can differentiate yourself from other applicants. You can make it easy for a prospective employer to see why you are the best candidate for a role with their organization, too 

There are several things you can do to make a stellar first impression during a job interview, such as: 

1. Dress for Success

Wear professional attire for your job interview. Ensure your clothes are not too baggy or too tight and there are no rips or tears in your apparel. Furthermore, resist the temptation to wear accessories that can otherwise detract from your appearance. 

If you are unsure about what to wear to an interview, you can reach out to a company’s HR department for guidance. You can also visit the company’s website to learn about the business’ culture and get a good idea about what to wear to your interview.  

2. Evaluate Your Prospective Employer and the Job Vacancy

Spend some time learning about a business before you depart for your interview. Remember, the more you learn about a business, the better equipped you’ll be to respond to interview questions about how you can contribute to the company’s success.  

Along with learning about a company, you should review the business’ job description prior to your interview. Then, you can use the interview to highlight how your skills and experience align with those described in the job description.    

3. Arrive on Schedule

Plan to leave early for your interview to ensure you arrive on schedule. If you are concerned about traffic or weather delays, err on the side of caution and depart early.  

Meanwhile, try to arrive about 10 minutes before your interview. This will likely ensure that you can sit and relax for a few minutes before your interview begins. It can also give you extra time to prepare in the moments leading up to your interview.  

4. Be an Active Listener 

Listen to what your interviewer has to say and respond accordingly. Make eye contact and use other forms of non-verbal communication to stay engaged with your interviewer as well.  

In addition, think before you reply to your interviewer’s questions. This helps boost the likelihood that you can provide a thoughtful response to your interviewer’s queries.  

5. Finish Your Interview on a Positive Note 

Thank your interviewer for their time at the end of your interview. Let him or her know that you appreciate the opportunity to discuss the vacancy with their organization and can provide additional materials to support your application as needed.  

Want to Take the Next Step Forward in Your Career? Partner with Techneeds 

At Techneeds, we can help you get ready for an upcoming interview. We can also put you in contact with top employers across New England, so you can quickly land your ideal job. To learn more, please contact us today