First impression: What is first impression and how can it affect your interview outcome?

  

Date Posted: 11/5/2012 11:54:12 PM

Posted By: fly1234  Membership Level: Bronze  Total Points: 15

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The fear to fail, in most candidates determines the outcome of an interview. Many candidates who have failed in their previous interviews will try to learn from their mistakes, they are sometimes left wondering about what went wrong, what they did not answer properly, or needless to say, their first impression.

This article will focus on basic reasons why some interviews may not go well. Did you know that your first 30 seconds with a prospective employer is crucial in determining whether you pass or fail. They are usually interested in the first impression at this stage, for example, arriving late sends a red flag that you are never a serious person, so if hired, you won't take your work serious.

Your appearance matters a lot. The type of clothing you ware should not be too casual. You can never walk into an interview room with fancy clothing, or shoes that can only be worn with a pair of jeans trousers. Messed up hair or wearing sloppy dresses is a big NO for ladies.

Interruptions are never taken on a light note. Picking phone calls or looking at the watch all the time are not only gross, but they make one come across as too busy to focus on the interview. Switch of your phone prior to the interview session so that you don't have to excuse yourself when your phone rings.

Looking tired or not being focused is also a red flag. You don't want to look like you spent the whole night out. On the other hand, looking around or simply being inattentive will make a prospective employer think that you are a person with poor listening skills. No one wants to hire someone who cannot listen to them. Every organization has general rules and guidelines that employees are expected to follow.

Therefore, if a candidate comes out as someone who doesn't listen, they are easily dismissed.

The good thing is that these scenarios can be avoided. Remember, there are no possible excuses or reason to resolve the wrong message you send to an interviewer in the first 30 seconds.

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