Whether you’re going for a job interview or meeting a potential client for the first time, you have only a few minutes to make them fall in love with you.  Do you know what it takes to make the perfect impression?  Are you completely comfortable with your ability to present your best self?  After reading this article, you will.

As I’ve mentioned before, You’ve Only Got Three Seconds to make an impression with your appearance.  So what you wear and how you present your physical self is extremely important.  Personally, I find this to be of high importance all the time, but if you’re one of those people whose personal style is always casual, you may need to think twice, and prepare a little more for an interview or important meeting.  However, gone are the days when I tell everyone to wear a business suit for a job interview.  Let me explain further.

What employers and business associates are looking for when you’re in an interview-type situation is two things.  The first, is whether or not you have the skills required, if that is an issue, and you probably would not have been called in for an interview if you do not.  So that one’s pretty much covered, they are just wanting to clarify a few things or make sure that you appear as good in person as you do on paper.  So the second aspect they’re looking for is even more important, and that is do you have “the look.”  Would you fit in?  Do you look like someone who works for or with this particular company?  Now, don’t expect many employers to admit this, but it is true.  They don’t want to “upset the apple cart,” so you need to look like someone who would fit in, even if you’re going to be in a leadership position.

When I talk about “the look,” it’s not about beauty.  Although, for some companies I worked for in the past, that was an important aspect.  But really, what they’re looking for is that you have a compatible look with the employees who are already there, or a little better.  So if you’re applying for a dental assisting position, you need to look like a dental assistant.  Likewise for a bank teller, teacher, pharmacist, salesperson, attorney, etc.

So, how do you use this information to make the perfect impression?  Find out how the current employees and supervisors dress, or take your best guess, then either copy that or step it up a notch.  For example, when my husband and I interview potential employees for his dental practice, it impresses me if they come to the interview dressed either like a front-office dental staff person, or in scrubs.  The idea is, I get to see what he or she would look like on the job.  That’s important to me, because I care about the impression our employees make on our patients.

However, I do want to warn you about something.  If you currently work in a dental office, and your interview is shortly after your work shift ends, it is okay to come in dressed in your current work scrubs.  BUT, be certain, absolutely certain, that you are clean, your shoes are clean, your hair is clean, makeup is fresh, etc.  It does not impress me if you come in looking disheveled with dirty tennis shoes.  If that means you need to take an extra pair of scrubs or shoes to change into, do that.  But presenting yourself as “this is just the way I look at the end of a long day – I can’t help being dirty,” doesn’t cut it with me.  I know what clean employees look like at the end of a long day.  Don’t insult my intelligence, and especially my husband’s, by pretending that’s just how it is.  That might be how you are, and we want no part of it.  We’ll pass, “thank you for coming in.”

The next way to make the perfect impression, is to find out everything you can about the company.  But don’t stop there.  What is the position for which you are being interviewed?  What is your background/knowledge/skill set in this area?  How can you make a difference for the company?  Is this an area where the company needs to improve and how can you help them do that?  Learn everything you can about the company, about the job, and how your abilities meet the demands of both.  Knowing these things will give you confidence, which packs a double-whammy in the impression-making department.  At the end of the meeting, if your interviewer has not asked the right questions, be prepared with a statement that answers all of the above questions for him or her.  That will make a fantastic impression!

Be sure to take the following with you to your interview: 

1. A perfectly prepared resume, even if you think they already have one
2. A notepad and pen, the best you own
3. A briefcase – no purse 
4. A small bottle of water

Let’s examine each of these items in detail and why I know they’re so important.

A perfectly prepared resume, even if you think they already have one because they may have lost your resume, or it could be in the human resources department and unattainable at the moment by the person who is interviewing you.  Be prepared.  I always took three copies with me because I was frequently interviewed by more than one person, and I preferred to have a copy to look at myself if they had questions.  I can’t tell you how many times having extra copies of my resume impressed my interviewers. Your resume also has your references and their contact information on the back page, or should anyway, in case you need to complete an application.

A notepad and pen, the best you own, will make you appear interested in the job and professional.  You will want to ask questions, we’re going to talk about that in a minute, and you will want to write down the answers you receive.  You will also want to take notes about anything that is revealed to you about the job.  Also, you might even be given an “assignment” to complete, and you will look better if you have your own pad and pen.

A briefcase, not a purse, will allow you to carry all of these things in style, without having to hold them in your arms while schlepping a purse on your shoulder.  And please, please, please, don’t carry a briefcase and a purse!  You want to appear open, accessible, and friendly.  Having your arms full will hinder your ability to shake hands appropriately, makes you appear unprofessional, and too encumbered.  If you do not own a briefcase, carry a nice leather folder.

A small bottle of water might save your voice, and the impression you make.  If you’re the nervous type, your throat probably becomes dry before an event like this.  That’s okay, it’s normal.  Sometimes, just knowing that you have a small bottle of water in your briefcase will calm your nerves a bit.

Next, I’d like to talk about what to do if you’re asked to wait for several minutes in a waiting or common area prior to your interview.  There’s something you need to know about that; often, you’re being watched.  I want you to know this because it’s being used more and more in all sizes of companies.  And sometimes, it’s not so much that they plan to watch you, they just can’t help it.  Therefore, besides the obvious things, like picking your nose, you’ll also want to avoid talking to yourself, rehearsing for the interview, and steeling anything from the area like magazines or supplies. 

What you want to do, is smile at everyone who comes into your view, and sit quietly with your feet on the floor or crossed at your ankles.  It’s okay to read a magazine if you’ve been told it’s going to be a while, but don’t lick your fingers to turn the pages, or tear out pages to keep for yourself.  If you feel the need to “freshen up,” ask for the restroom.  And, please, if there are doughnuts, cookies, or any other food out, they are not for you, they are for the clients. You should arrive for your interview properly fed, and only need a sip or two of your water. 

Let’s now move in to the interview portion and talk about how to answer questions honestly, and properly.  While you certainly want to present your best self in this situation, you also need to be honest.  It does neither you nor the company any good if you lie your way into a position for which you’re going to be miserable, or incapable of performing.  At the same time, there’s no need to be suspicious of each question, thinking that the interviewer is trying to “trip you up.”  Trust me, she is not.  In most cases, the interviewer wants you to do well so that he does not have to do very many more interviews.  Folks, this is not the most fun experience for anyone!  We dislike turnover and having to interview someone new as much as you dislike having to interview.  In both situations, however, there is the possibility of a great new relationship.

In a later post, I’ll list the questions my husband and I use during our interviewing process and the answers we’re looking for, or that are okay.  You may sign up here so that you don’t miss it.

One of the most common questions I get in my career development seminars is, “how do I ask questions, and what is okay to ask?”  Asking questions when you’re given permission to do so is a great way to show your interest in the job.  If you’re prompted for questions at the beginning of your interview, start with questions you tried to research about the company but could not find the answer to.  For example, “How long has this company been in business?”  “Whom do you consider to be your competition?”  “How strong is your market share?”  “How many employees currently work here?”  DO NOT start out with self-serving questions like, “How much does the position pay, is my insurance covered, how many weeks vacation do I get the first year, etc.”  Actually, you should not even ask these questions at the first interview, unless an offer is made.  If these items are not covered prior to an offer being made, it is okay to ask at that point, but not before.

The best questions to ask at the end of the interview, once you’ve been given permission, are:  “How soon do you expect to make a decision?”  “Are there many other applicants?”  “How important is previous experience in your hiring decision?”  “Does this position lead to others within the company?”   In other words, get an idea of where you stand without asking self-serving questions.  Often, you’ll get an honest viewpoint of where you stand compared to other applicants, without putting the interviewer on the defensive by asking inappropriate questions too soon.  Never assume you have the job until an offer has been made.  Then, and only then, is it okay to ask about salary and benefits. 

Lastly, it is very impressive to send a thank-you letter to your interviewer thanking him or her for their time and consideration.  However, it is NOT appropriate to call the office to inquire about your status, and certainly not to ask why you specifically didn’t get the job.  If there were a chance that you would be considered for a future position, and that might be what they’re thinking – maybe you’re not right for this position, but for something that’s coming up – you blow it by calling back and expressing your annoyance.  Even if you were promised to be notified either way, and you’ve found out it wasn’t you through another source, resist the temptation to pick up that phone, and don’t take it personally.  For all you know, they decided you were too good for them, and passed your resume on to a company that will utilize your talents, and pay you more money. 

Remember this, it’s about putting yourself out there, and showing up.  Make a perfect impression everywhere you go, and opportunities will abound.  I promise.

Posted under Motivation