Maximizing the First Five Minutes of an Interview

When looking to have a big impact during an interview, the interview must begin by maximizing the first few moments of the interview.

Here’s how to start strong – and a few tips on what not to do from real interviewers… 

THE INTERVIEW STARTS AS SOON AS YOU LEAVE THE HOUSE

 

The start of an interview is not all about the first time you shake hands with the interviewer nor is it about you sitting down right across from the interviewer. Ensure that you are at your best the second you leave your house. Project a cool, calm, and collected demeanor that will not falter especially when it accidentally gets tested. What do we mean by this? You never know who you might bump into as you get off your bus or train, or enter the company’s building – for all you know, your interviewer could be in the same coffee shop in line for their morning brew as you are. That is why it’s best to make sure you project a friendly, confident, professional air from the moment you set off. 

Arriving early is great. This gives you time for yourself to review your notes, drink your coffee or tea, or better yet, just think of positives or visualize yourself being hired for the job you are going to be interviewed for. It will be best to switch your phone off or place it on silent mode as you organize what needs to be organized. Another thing to do is to familiarize yourself with the premises. This can be done by striking small talk with the receptionist. Take the time to know where the restrooms are so you would know where to go to freshen up before the much-anticipated big interview! 

What not to do: 

An interviewer shared that he once had an experience wherein he heard someone standing outside their building, smoking furiously and complaining loudly on their phone about the early start time of their meeting and wondering aloud why they were even there. When I got to my next interview, I realized that the person I heard who was ranting to the heavens was the candidate that I was set to interview next. It was definitely dismaying said the interviewer.

TREAT EVERYONE EQUALLY AS IF THEY ARE YOUR INTERVIEWER

Maintaining a polite and friendly demeanor is awesome. This not only amplifies a great character towards others but applying this to the interview process can also speak volumes for you. Imagine having your interviewer see how courteous you are towards the receptionist, your fellow applicants, and other people in the building premises - that indeed are pluses to your behavior. These are touchpoints with your future employer and colleagues. You want to leave a positive impression on them. You want them to remember you as a pleasant encounter and not someone who is rude, arrogant, or overall forgettable.

What not to do:

Being an interviewer, one way for me to loosen up and get in tune with my tasks is by welcoming the candidates and greeting them in person. There was one time wherein a candidate thought of me as an assistant/intern. This candidate made sure to treat me in such a very offhand way and even rudely asked me to get him a drink. Unbelievable! This interviewee eventually got the shock of his life when he saw me approaching the interview panel. I don’t mind experiencing such but I just felt disappointed that there are still people who feel that it’s appropriate to be rude and superior towards the staff of any level.

ESTABLISH A STRONG FIRST IMPRESSION

One cannot say that first impressions do not count especially in an interview. In the first few minutes, your interviewer may observe verbal and non-verbal cues. Smile with confidence, project it. Tell them through the way you make eye contact that you are sincere about the answers you share with them and that you are interested in the role. Tell them a story especially when they ask you behavioral-based interview questions. Firmly shake your interviewer’s hand. Smile while you speak. Lean in slightly and show enthusiasm through the various tones in your voice. Sit professionally. Avoid slouching. Sit up straight and show comfort but still ooze self-assurance. It never is wrong to project an attitude of positivity, engagement, enthusiasm, and sincere interest.

When it comes to clothing, make sure you match your dress with the company that you are interviewing. Do your research by checking their website or their social media sites. Know what dress code they require during an interview. If you are not doing an interview that is face-to-face (virtual), make sure that you still wear a decent, professional-looking top and accessorize just right. Do not wear too much jewelry or wear anything that’s bright-colored. This will draw inappropriate attention which you do not want. You want the interviewer to be drawn to your interview responses. You want to impress them by responding the best way to those difficult questions.

What not to do:

According to one interviewer, he once had a candidate who asked for a glass of water while they waited. By the time the interviewer went in and shook the interviewee’s hand, he got an icy-cold handshake as he assumed that the water must have spilled before he even got into the room to begin the interview; therefore, his first impression was a very damp, chilly handshake. Pro-Tip: Always hold your drink in your left hand!

PREPARE FOR SMALL TALK

Small talk may seem boring or useless to most people but when you are an interviewer, this can be great way for you to gauge the communication skills of an interviewee. Small talk is a way to build rapport and affinity. This is a way for you to show your charms as an interviewee and also establish that intangible quality of “chemistry’ that is evidently great for effective business relationships. 

So as part of your interview preparation, it is best to think ahead about some likely topics that might come up, so as to help keep the conversation flowing smoothly. The key is to come up with topics where you have a shared interest so that you are able to both ask and answer credible questions.   

For example, if you’re a sports fan and you spot signs that your interviewer is also one, then go ahead and ask a suitable question that you’ve also got an interesting answer to. 

There are a ton of questions to ask if you know when and how to do it. Search for possible small talk topics if you really want to use this to your full potential during a big interview.

What not to do:

One interviewer shared that there was one candidate that asked the interviewer a non-stop string of questions about his family, the job, the company, things in the news – all sorts of things. The downside was he did not really have much to say himself and he didn’t really wait to hear the interviewer’s answer before asking the next question, so he just came across as rather anxious and scattered. This is not the attitude you would want to show when you are the interviewee. Ask, wait for the person to answer, and then share your input. Make sure that you don’t overshare as well.