Top 9 interview tips to make a solid first impression

At some point in your job search, you’re likely to land an interview (or two). Great! You have your resume in order, you’ve practiced your answers, and you’ve picked out an outfit. But are you ready to make a great impression? You may be thinking, “Of course!” but let’s hold on for a moment. 

To make a good impression and answer the question, “Why should we hire you?” you need more than a top-notch resume; you need to be prepared to put your best foot forward and know how to impress an interviewer from the moment you walk in the building.

In this article, we’ll discuss:

• Why should you make a good impression during an interview?

• 7 tips for impressing an interviewer

Why should you make a good impression during an interview?

You may think you don’t have to worry whether an interviewer likes you or not; after all, aren’t your skills and experience what matters?  It might not seem fair, but recruiters are human, too, and are prone to creating beliefs about other people’s skills, intellect, competence, abilities, and character based on first impressions. 

On average, those impressions are formed within 27 seconds, and often even less than that. If a hiring manager has a negative impression, they’re less inclined to talk to you a second time, which might mean no second interview.

7 Tips for impressing an interviewer

You have a lot going on in your mind when you’re in an interview situation. But making a good impression on the interview should be your number one priority. 

Here are seven tips to “wow” your interviewer and ace the interview:

1. Be on time

This should go without saying, but we’ll say it anyway: Don’t be late. This will give the interviewer a negative impression of you before you even get there. Emergencies happen, but short of a full-on SOS situation, do whatever is needed to be on time to your interview. That might mean setting an extra alarm, laying out your clothes the night before, or giving yourself an extra hour to get there.

2. Be aware of your body language

You could be saying one thing, but your body might be saying another. Your verbal and physical messages need to be aligned or you won’t be properly understood. Consider that your voice, stance, and facial expressions all convey a message. The point of being aware of your body language is to project confidence and competence. 

Have a firm handshake. Maintain eye contact (but don’t stare) and try to keep a neutral expression. Try not to play with your hair or touch your face;  touching your face implies dishonesty. Use a mirroring technique to establish rapport. Just don’t take it too far, or you might come off as unsettling. 

Use your hands to gesture as you normally do, but when you’re listening, fold them in your lap or on the table in front of you. You don’t want to  cross your arms. Avoid fidgeting. Finally, smile if it feels appropriate, but don’t force it.

3. Dress to impress

During your company research, learn about the dress code and overall culture. This will help you decide on an appropriate interview outfit, whether it’s a suit and tie, slacks and a blouse, or khakis and a polo shirt. Looking professional and “put together” is how to impress an interviewer; it will show that you take the position seriously and contribute to a good first impression.

4. Have answers to common interview questions prepared

There are quite a few common situational and behavioral questions you’re likely to be asked, and you should take some time before the interview to prepare what you’re going to say. Write them down, then practice them until they don’t sound rehearsed.  That might sound like a contradiction, but trust us—you’re less likely to get flustered and appear insecure if you have a good idea of what you’re going to say. 

5. Ask some thoughtful questions of the interviewer

At the end of the interview, you’ll most likely be asked, “Do you have any questions?” so you should have some ready to go! This is how to impress an interviewer, showing that you did your research to prepare for the interview and that you’re serious about the job. Some examples of questions you can ask are:

• What do you like best about working here?

• What do you feel is the biggest challenge the company is facing right now?

• Can you describe the company culture?

6. Don’t forget to follow up

It may seem old-fashioned, but a “thank you” note or email will go a long way toward making a good impression by thanking the interviewer(s) for their time and reiterating your interest in the position. Not only is it good manners, but also it will help them remember you. 

7. Be yourself

The point of an interview is not only to find out more about your experience and what you can do for the company but also who you are as a person. You’ll already be nervous; don’t try putting on a new façade as it will make you feel more ill-at-ease. Just be you. We’re pretty sure you’re already awesome.

Need a little more help preparing for an interview? Try Career.io’s Interview Prep tool, which will provide you with AI-generated insights, expert advice, mock interviews, and live recording to take your interviewing skills to the next level.

Key takeaways

1. Hiring managers, like most people, are prone to creating beliefs about other people’s skills, intellect, competence, abilities, and character based on first impressions.

2. Use flattery sparingly, or it might come off as insincere.

3. Things you can do to create a good impression are: being on time, dressing appropriately, being aware of your body language, and being yourself.