Interviews: Making a Good Impression

I have recevied feedback from several employers about obvious mistakes people are making when attending interviews. Some of theses mistakes, it seems,  people just don’t think what image they are portraying to the interviewer, particularly students out of university. As an image consultant I am quite shocked, or should I be, what bad manners people have?  Here are some tips:

10 Do’s

1. Shake hands firmly with the interviewer at the beginning and end of the interview
2. Good posture, give eye contact, smile and relax in the chair but don’t slouch
3. Make sure you know where any documents you need are and the order they are in
4. Adhere to the employer’s dress code, check out the company’s dress code beforehand
5. Be smart – dress slightly better than you would if you were an employee
6. Cover up tattoos and remove body jewellery
7. Listen carefully to the current question and try to give short and concise answers with examples
8. Speak clearly and loudly (no too loudly) and try not to speak too fast
9. Know your CV

10 Don’ts

1. Chew gum or eat garlic beforehand, ensure you have a fresh breath
2. Turn off your mobile and ensure you do not take any text or phone messages whilst in the interview (it has been known)
3. Have dirty, scruffy shoes
4. Look worried, or have a poor posture
5. Wear creased clothes
6. Have dirty hair, nails or hands
7. Ask for the toilet the minute you arrive for the interview, ensure you go before you announce your arrival or ask the receptionist to give you a minute to go
8. Mutter, interrupt and not listen to the interviewer
9. Turn up late and not apologise
10. Be arrogant

Tags: Add new tag, appearance management, bad impressions, etiquette and manners, good impressions, interviews, manners in business, Your Style