Job interviews can scare even the best of us. You might have faced a lot of interviews before, worked with the most knowledgeable bosses in the industry and you might be aware of the intricacies of your job to the core, yet all these factors do not guarantee that you get in your dream organisation. From another candidate who outshined you, to a reference who backed out, a number of things can prove to be a deal-breaker for you.
While some of these things are beyond your control, there are somethings that you can work on. The first three minutes of your interview, the time when you introduce yourself to your hiring manager, are crucial. They help your hiring manager to form the first impression, which can either place you in the shortlisted or rejected list. As noted American diplomat Elliott Abrams once said, “First impressions matter. Experts say we size up new people in somewhere between 30 seconds and two minutes”– first impressions matter. So, here are some tips that will help you leave a lasting impression on your interviewer in 3 minutes:
1) Serve with a smile
This might sound like the motto from one of the houses in your school it is the key to making a lasting first impression everywhere. Talk to everyone you meet with a smile even when you are under pressure. Stay positive and do not complain about your previous employer. Also, everyone loves a good smile.
2) Stop trying so hard
This might confuse you but hear us out first. While it is important that you give your best performance during your job interview, it’s important that you don’t look grim and aloof while you do that. Do your best and make never let anyone know how anxious or how happy you are.
3) KISS
One of easiest ways to impress your interviewer is by keeping it simple and specific. No one has the time and energy to hear your stories. Keep it short and keep it simple.
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4) Be yourself
During the course of an interview, we get caught up so caught up in impressing our hiring manager that we lose track of our real selves. No one wants a pretend princess in their team. At the same time, ensure that you don’t get caught up in the stream of emotions and end up crushing your dreams with your verbal diarrhoea.
ALSO READ: 7 tips that will help you get the job
5) Be humble and polite
While everyone might be asking you to wake up from your slumber and be a shark but being humble and polite will never go out of fashion. Show your hiring manager that you are a team player and that you genuinely care. A simple thank you to the receptionist for showing you the way to the interview room will leave a positive impact on your interviewing manager.
