Successful Job Interviews: Attitude, First Impressions And Appearance Are Everything

The first 30 seconds count most of all in jobapproach to both life and job seeking. It was only after
employment interviews. Most job seekers think thathe had received the job and was on his way to the
their job of "selling themselves "to the employmentdepartment of his employment did he find out that the
interviewer occurs when they walk in the door. Mostnote to the department head included a short notation
of your work will have been done in preparationon the application from the receptionist of "looks good
previous to the actual interview. The first 30 secondsand ok". The receptionist turned out to be the major
of any interview are the core elements of getting thatinitial screening mechanism of the employment
job - of adding, confirming and supporting yourprocess.
preparation for the job interview and ultimately to beYour attitude is your number one factor that influences
successful in "getting that job".an employer to hire or not hire you for the job, position
People often form major opinions about others withinor career.
the 30 seconds of meeting them. For this reason theWhat can you do to present a "good attitude"? First of
first 30 seconds of an employment interview or indeedall concentrate on being likeable. As simple as this may
any personal introduction will make or break you. Toseem, research has continually proven that one of the
make it worse, once an initial impression is made, it ismost essential goals in successful interviewing is to be
almost impossible to shake off. It is a well known fact,liked by the job interviewer. Interviewers want to hire
in the human resources field and industry thatpleasant people whom others will enjoy working with
professional interviewers will state that in most caseson a daily basis.
of job employment interviews that in the time periodYou can do the following to project that you are a
that it takes to applicant to walk across the room tohighly likeable future employee appearing at an
introduce themselves and say "Hello" that the decisionemployment interview: be friendly, speak positively, and
of "yes" or "no" to hire or "not hire" the applicant isuse positive body language and smile. Lastly make
almost there and is almost made. The rest is justsure that your appearance is appropriate for the
corroboration, documentation and support and basicallyindustry, position and setting. It is always best to project
filler.an air of confidence and pride. Act as though you
Interview and interpersonal communications expertswant and deserve that job- not as though you are
have repeatedly and thoroughly studied hat applicantsdesperate and will take anything and any position.
can do to make a most favorable first impassion andNext demonstrate genuine enthusiasm. An applicant's
project professionalism and competence duringlevel of enthusiasm often influences the employer as
interviews. The attitude, image and appearance that amuch as another interviewing factor. The applicant
job or employment applicant projects during interviewswho demonstrates little enthusiasm for a job will never
are as influential as or even more influential than theirever be selected for the position.
very skills that they have acquired in their education orIt is always best to demonstrate knowledge and
on the job training careers. Projecting strength in theseinterest in the employer. Saying that "I really want this
areas gives job applicants a decided edge over theirjob" is not convincing enough. It will fool or appeal to
competition.few, explain why you want the position and how the
In terms of actual percentages it has been researchedposition will fit into your career plans. You can easily
that attitude has a 40 % impact on interviews and theircite opportunities that may be unique to the firm or
outcomes, image and appearance 25 %,organization. Additionally you can emphasize your skills,
communication (both verbal and non-verbal) 25 %.training and education that are highly relevant to the
Amazingly all in all, job qualifications themselves onlyfirm and the specific position.
account for 10 % of the approximate impact of theRemember that any interview, indeed any
real power and effect on interviews and interviewers.communication in life and in business, is a two way
It is very important to recognize that applicants arestreet. Project genuine interest in deterring whether
screened on paper first. One very successful individualyou and the employer will mutually benefit from your
learnt this lesson early in life. As a lad he had appliedemployment and career with the organization involved.
for a job at a them major department store. TheLastly always perform at your best each and every
standard procedure was to fill out the standardmoment. There is no such thing as a pause or a "time
application at the human resources department. Theout" during an interview. Even in the waiting room treat
lad did this simply, being both well dressed andthe assistant, receptionist and each and every
groomed and as well polite to the secretary andemployee that you encounter politely, with deference,
receptionist. This to him was a standard and basicrespect and courtesy.