- How important is it to make a good first impression in a job interview?
- How to make a positive impression in a job interview?
- 1. Make a good impression before the interview starts
- 2. Introduce yourself professionally
- 3. Stay in the moment
- 4. Ask questions
- 5. Dress to impress
- What not to do during an interview?
- Don’t focus on your weaknesses
- Don’t speak ill of former employers
- Other things to avoid
- Key takeaways
Your interview starts the moment you walk in the door. The key to knowing how to make a good job interview impression is preparation and strategically answering top interview questions. We’ll share our tips and expert advice to help you ace that job interview with flair and confidence.
The best way to make a good first impression at a job interview is preparation, so you’ve come to the right place! Interviews can be challenging under the best of circumstances. After all, your career is important to you and you want to do everything you can to position yourself as the top candidate.
In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know how to make a good job interview impression, ace the interview, and get you one step closer to landing the job you want.
How important is it to make a good first impression in a job interview?
Remember that old saying, “You never get a second chance to make a first impression?” This also holds true for job interviews, where making a solid first impression should be a top priority. Your interviewer will be forming an impression of you before you even open your mouth.
So, knowing how to make this good job interview impression is crucial if you want to ace the interview and move forward in the hiring process. Let’s go over the top tips for how to make a good first impression in a job interview.
How to make a positive impression in a job interview?
Here are our five top tips to keep in mind in order to start your interview off on the right foot.
1. Make a good impression before the interview starts
Just as the key to great real estate is location, location, location, the key to making a good job interview impression is preparation, preparation, preparation. Thoroughly research the company by looking at their social media, website, and relevant news articles. Make note of any common themes to get a sense of their overall culture and values.
You can also review the job description, noticing where your skills align with what they’re looking for. Consider looking up the same role in other companies as well, to get a more comprehensive idea of what the job expectations might be. This will help you tailor your interview answers to the specific role.
It also goes without saying: be on time (or even a few minutes early). If something major comes up and you’re going to be late, let the interviewer know as soon as possible.
Expert Tip
Don’t limit your research to the company
Take the time to research your interviewer too. You can almost always find details on the interviewer by visiting their LinkedIn profile. What types of posts do they share? What are their interests? Who do they follow?
Find common ground ahead of time and use these snippets as tools for making a good impression when you bring them up in the interview. Keep the research professional, however, and avoid their personal websites or social media, which might come off as “stalkerish.”
2. Introduce yourself professionally
Introducing yourself in a professional manner is a small gesture that can make a big impact. The two main things to keep in mind are body language and eye contact. Initiate a handshake by extending your hand and looking your interviewer in the eye (or between their eyebrows if you have difficulty with direct eye contact).
Doing this demonstrates your confidence and enthusiasm. Just don’t be too enthusiastic by letting the handshake go on for more than two or three seconds.
3. Stay in the moment
It might sound cliche, but you want the interviewer to believe that there’s nowhere else you’d rather be during your interview. Make sure that you stay present and give your interviewer your undivided attention.
That means turning off your phone’s ringer, not fidgeting, actively listening, and responding appropriately. This will help you appear genuine and interested—because you are!
4. Ask questions
Yes, this interview is about you, but it shouldn’t be all about you. The interviewer wants to know what you can do for the company to ensure that you’d be a good fit, and you’ll want to know more about the company and the role to ensure the same.
Make sure that you have prepared your own list of questions to ask during the interview, such as what the interviewer likes best about working there, what they’re looking for in a candidate, and so on.
However, this isn’t the time to talk about salary or PTO. Your questions should engage the interviewer in a genuine conversation about the job opening and how well it would be a fit for both you and the employer. There will be time to discuss salary and benefits later on in the hiring process if you make a good enough impression to move forward.
5. Dress to impress
It might not be completely fair, but we do partly judge people based on how they look. You don’t have to look like a supermodel to make a good job interview impression, but you do need to dress professionally.
When doing your company research, check out the dress code and take your cues from there. If it’s a start-up or nonprofit, business casual with dress slacks and a collared shirt might be appropriate, while a more business professional suit or a jacket, blouse, and skirt might be better for a more conservative field.
When it comes to dressing for an interview, remember that “less is more.” Keep your look simple, classic, and pared-down, and make sure to bring only what you need.
Expert Tip
Is it okay to bring notes into the interview?
The idea of bringing notes to a job interview can be a bit controversial, depending on the situation. In general, you should avoid bringing pre-written notes, though there are some circumstances where it’s appropriate.
On the other hand, it’s generally acceptable to bring a notebook and pen for taking notes during an interview. This shows the interviewer that you are taking this opportunity seriously and will likely behave in a similar fashion once you’re hired.
If you choose to do this, ask for permission. This doesn’t have to be a formal request; a quick and casual, “Do you mind if I take some notes while we chat?” will suffice. The interviewer will most likely say yes, but asking first is considerate and demonstrates professionalism.
What not to do during an interview?
We’re usually so concerned with what we should do during a job interview that we forget what we shouldn’t do. Don’t worry. We’ve got you covered with our expert tips on what things you should definitely avoid to make a good impression at a job interview.
Don’t focus on your weaknesses
The whole point of an interview is to sell ourselves as the best candidate for the job, so it’s best to avoid saying anything self-deprecating or in a sarcastic tone. True, no one is perfect, but an interview is not an appropriate time to dwell on your flaws.
Instead, focus on the value you bring to the table. If you feel like you're lacking a lot of strengths, or you’re specifically asked about your weaknesses, focus on reframing them. Try using the magic phrase, “No I don’t have experience in [skill/trait/topic], but I’m eager to learn about it.”
Similarly, avoid responding to a question by saying, “I don’t know.” Instead, try responding with, “I’m not familiar, could you tell me more about it?” or “I haven’t studied it extensively, but I am familiar with the concept.”
Don’t speak ill of former employers
It is definitely a red flag to speak poorly of or complain about a past employer. This tells the interviewer that you will likely speak poorly of them too. It also demonstrates a lack of professionalism and company loyalty, as well as an affinity for gossip and drama.
If you are asked directly about why you left your previous employer, it is okay to edit your answer a little in order to save face. Let the interviewer know that it wasn’t the right fit for you, and leave it at that. It’s also okay to ask that the interviewer not contact your previous employer. Again, don’t offer more information. The interviewer will typically not push further.
Other things to avoid
While it’s impossible to forecast everything that might come up during an interview, here are a few other key things you’ll want to avoid in order to make a good job interview impression:
Don’t show indifference. If you’re not sure that you’d accept the job if offered, keep it to yourself during the interview. Indifference is not helpful, especially if you want to be considered for other opportunities at the same company.
Don’t ask for specific needs during an interview. We’re not talking about disability accommodations. We’re referring to things like, “Will lunch be provided?” or “I will need three days off in April.” This demonstrates a lack of professionalism, and will not work in your favor.
Don’t be overly casual. While a great interview should feel more like a conversation, you don’t want to get too relaxed and informal. Keep your phone put away, don’t slouch, and refrain from using any slang or off-color language.
Avoid personal topics. It’s okay to mention a hobby if it’s relevant or you're asked, but otherwise, keep the conversation focused on your professional skills and expertise.
Expert Tip
What is the STAR method when interviewing?
The best way to make a good impression at a job interview is to prepare your answers to the most common interview questions. One helpful way to do this is to use the STAR method to outline the key elements of each answer with their situation, task, action, and result. Having these ready to go will make you look professional, dedicated, and serious about the position, which goes a long way toward making a good first impression.
Need extra help preparing for a job interview? Check out career.io’s Interview Prep tool, which will provide expert advice and helpful feedback so you can ace your next interview.
Key takeaways
The best way to know how to make a good job interview impression is to be prepared.
Keys to making a good first impression at a job interview include being positive, staying in the moment, dressing appropriately, and being on time.
During an interview, don’t badmouth a previous employer, make demands, or behave too casually.
Prepare answers to the most common interview questions ahead of time to make a good interview impression.
