How to Create and Maintain a Positive First Impression - Part 2 of 2

In Tuesday's post, we discussed the power of a positive first impression. Today, I want to evaluate how to make a positive last impression. When the interview comes to a close, you have answered all the interviewer's questions and you have asked a few intelligent questions. However, it is not quite time to relax yet.

There are still two steps to go in order to ensure you continue the positive impression you made when you entered the interview with a power closing and effective post-interview follow-up. 

THE POWER CLOSING

Similar to the "power opening" we discussed in the earlier post, the power closing is a 3-step process:

Step 1 - Use the interviewer's name

By this time, you know whether or not to address them by their first or last name. However, it is important that you use their name throughout the interview - especially at the end - to build the rapport that makes them feel comfortable about working with you. 

Step 2 - Thank them for their time and shake their hand  

It is simply good manners and very professional to acknowledge the time they spent with you considering you as a candidate for job. A person can convey confidence, enthusiasm, and professionalism with a good, solid handshake. Make sure yours is strong and sends the right message before you leave.

Step 3 - Let them know you are interested in the job Many employers say that one of the reasons they don't make a job offer is because they are unsure whether or not the candidate will accept. For some companies, it is quite an arduous and lengthy process to put together an offer package. Alleviate their concerns by ensuring them, right before you walk out of the interview, that you are interested in the job.

This is a great time to reiterate the key theme of your selling points. For example, you might say "I really look forward to the opportunity to bring my time management and budget oversight skills to your company in this project management role with the ABC Company."

POST INTERVIEW FOLLOW-UP

Very few candidates go the extra mile to follow up after an interview. Although a post-interview thank you will not make or break your job search success, it can help you to cement the professional and positive impression you started to form from the very beginning of the interview.

You can send an email, write or type a thank you note, or follow up by phone. Keep in mind, as you will see in this earlier blog post, there are several keys to perform post-interview follow-up but it is always most definitely a must!

 

 

 

 

When Does the Job Interview Truly Begin?

On the surface, this may seem like a silly question. Of course the interview begins once you sit down to talk with your potential employer, right? Not really; the interview truly begins much earlier. If you don't pay attention to these key details before you even start the interview, it may make no difference how much you prepare for the questions you are asked.

Quite honestly, the interview begins the moment you submit your application for employment and does not end until you receive the job offer. Here are some details you may not have thought of before.

• Manage your first impressions. As a candidate, our resume usually makes the first impression for us. Ensure your resume is professional, compelling, and clearly states the value you can offer an employer.
• Every contact you have with the employer makes an impression. Proactively manage all the impressions an employer has of you from the very start. Things such as an error-free resume, a professionally addressed cover letter, and even the paper you choose (when mailing or hand delivering the resume) can make a difference for you.
• Think about the impression you will be making when the potential employer calls you. Don't answer your phone in a noisy environment such as in the car with your three kids laughing and screaming in the background or in a busy restaurant.
• The employer will happily leave a voice mail - as long as your voice mail greeting is professional and appropriate. Turn off the musical ringtone and take your kids singing "Old MacDonald" off your voice mail until you receive that job offer.
• Be polite to EVERYONE you meet once you arrive for the interview. The parking attendant, the door man, and the receptionist are often asked for their opinion of how you treated them before a hiring decision is made. Make sure they have nothing but positive things to say about your courtesy and professionalism.
• Wait patiently in the lobby. Sit up straight, don't pace, don't talk on the phone, and don't chew gum. You never know who may be watching you while you wait to see if you are nervous or unprofessional.

Have you Committed one of these 10 Interview Fashion Crimes?

In an earlier blog post, I discussed the importance of non-verbal communication when forming a positive first impression in an interview. Although we can’t change other people’s perception of the world, we can increase our chance or being perceived positively. Keep in mind that a positive image is a result of careful planning, preparation and an honest assessment of your image.

Take this assessment to see what your fashion verdict would be:

1. What are you carrying? Don’t carry a backpack or fanny pack instead of a briefcase or portfolio. Women may still feel the need to carry a purse, but it should be small and conservative and should be tucked away under your chair during the interview.

2. “Transit gear” must be stowed away. Sunglasses on top of your head, headphones around your neck or in your ears, and cell phones not turned off or set to silent will all make negative impressions. Be sure to take care of all these details before entering the lobby.

3. Too much skin showing. Ladies, are your skirts too short, your tops too low cut? Men, do your pants rise up and show skin between your socks and pants, do your buttons gap? Try on your interview outfits and sit down in a chair in front of a mirror to see what your interviewer will see.

4. Overly bright or large-patterned clothing. Ties should be made of silk, no less than 3 inches wide with a conservative pattern. With the possible exception of creative fields like advertising or computer programming, it's best to stick with navy, black or gray with a small accent of color on your shirt, blouse, tie or a scarf.

5. Makeup. Avoid heavy makeup on women (or any makeup on a man).

6. Piercings. More than one set of earrings on women and facial piercings, tongue jewelry or visible tattoos can be a negative for many employers. Earrings on men should be avoided. In fact, men should avoid wearing any jewelry unless it is a wedding ring, class ring or metal watch.

7. Shoes and hosiery. Avoid fishnets, patterned, or colored hosiery, and bare legs (no matter how tan you are). Women should stick with neutral color hosiery that complements their suit. Never wear open-toed shoes to an interview. Men’s socks should match their shoes and should not show a gap of skin when seated.

8. Clothing and shoes in bad repair. Avoid rumpled or stained clothing. If interviewing late in the day, try to change to a fresh suit beforehand. Avoid scuffed or inappropriate footwear, including sneakers, stilettos, open-toed shoes and sandals.

9. What is your smell? Avoid after shaves, perfumes or colognes. Many people are allergic to certain scents. For a subtle fragrance, use good quality bath soap.

10. Remove any telltale signs that you’re wearing new clothes. Remove all tags, stickers, and extra buttons, remember to cut off the zigzag thread that keeps pockets and slits closed, and don’t forget to press out any creases from the clothes being folded in the store.

Five Things you Communicate with your Professional Image

An image can be defined as the opinion or concept of someone as an expert that is held by the public. Your image can be compared to your reputation and how you are perceived by others. As both a job seeker and an employee, your professional image is critical to success.

Studies have shown that 93% of how we communicate with the world is non-verbal. Only 7% of our interaction with people comes from the words out of our mouths! When you meet someone for the first time, you get 7 to 10 seconds to make a first impression. In those first few seconds, you don’t get to say much, so most of this first impression is based on a combination of professional image and non-verbal communication. Here are five things you can convey with your image.

Self-esteem. Right or wrong, people perceive that how you take care of yourself on the outside is a reflection of how you feel about yourself. In an interview, confidence is equal to competence in the interviewers’ eyes. Therefore, you must project an aura of confidence and self-assuredness with your image.

Organizational Skills / Attention to Detail. Remember you are managing the impression you make through the details of your image. If you have paid no attention to the details or organization of your grooming and clothing (mismatched socks, unpolished shoes, dirty fingernails, or chipped nail polish, etc.), then it appears you will not pay attention to details or may be unorganized in your work habits. If you look sloppy, it is assumed that you will do sloppy work.

Sound Judgment. If you wear clothes that are too tight, too informal or formal, too provocative, or just plain unprofessional, you demonstrate a lack of judgment. The employer correlates this lack of professionalism in your image into your inability to fit into their environment. Show you can make good decisions by erring on the side of conservative professionalism in your clothing and grooming habits.

Creativity. If you are in a field where creativity and innovation are an important part of your job, then it is important to demonstrate this with your professional image. However, don’t go overboard. Try a simple statement of your uniqueness with a small splash of color on your tie, a scarf, or a unique piece of small jewelry such as a pin or ring.

Reliability. Fair or not, right or wrong, you must keep in mind that people will view your image every day to determine your intelligence, level of education, social class, and yes even your reliability. From the big picture to the small details, your image should convey that you are solid and that people can count on you.

Often-overlooked Aspects of First Impressions

Effective management of first impressions is critical to your job search success. In a previous post, we examined professional image and tested your interview image IQ. However, there are several ways to create and manage your first impression with a potential employer before you even go for the interview.

The Resume and Cover Letter
The resume and cover letter communicate for you when you are unable to speak for yourself. Look at your resume and evaluate what type of impression you are forming on potential employers. There are a few areas that are often overlooked to which you should pay special attention.

Email Address – Establish a separate email address that is dedicated solely to job hunting. The email should be simple, straightforward and professional. Do away with your unprofessional email address that communicates personal or unfavorable information such as hotmama66@abc.com or lazysally@xyz.com.

Paper Style/Color – Simple and professional is your best bet. Use white or off-white paper with no color or design. Use a heavyweight bond paper that can be found in any office supply store.

Voice Mail Messages
From the instant that the HR manager picks up the phone to call you, you are creating impressions. Many phones now have the feature of listening to music instead of ringing while the caller waits for an answer. A ring is best, but if using music choose your music carefully and don’t use anything inappropriate or unprofessional. Additionally, your voicemail greeting creates an impression of the type of person you are. Be polite, cheerful and concise in your message.

The Phone Call
If you are able to receive the phone call from an HR manager regarding an interview, once again you have a chance to manage your first impression. Make sure you are able to speak without distractions – kids, traffic, televisions, barking dogs, etc. Don’t forget to smile when speaking on the phone to the employer, the smile will come through as warmth and enthusiasm in your voice. Keep a file of information next to the phone so you can quickly access the job posting details. Keep a pad of paper and pen handy for notes and details about the interview to ensure you show up on time and well prepared.

Making a good first impression is a multi-faceted endeavor. It is a combination of attention to details and common sense. Ensure your first impression won’t be the last impression you ever get the chance to make on your potential employer.