Tharles
How to make a good first impression during a job interview?
I am an engineering student that is searching for an internship those days. #business #mechanical-engineering #business-management #civil-engineering #electrical-engineering #chemical-engineering #administration #industrial-engineering #job-application
26 answers
Sam Seldon, P.E.
Sam’s Answer
Hello Tharles,
I would encourage you to familiarize yourself with Monster.com's Career Advice webpage because there is all kind of great information there dealing with interviews, including Interview Preparation and Interview Appearance. https://www.monster.com/career-advice/
Keep in mind that you are a college student so you will be applying for an internship or coop or something like that. Interest in the internship job that you are applying for is important, so it would greatly help to figure out what you want to do when you graduate college (or at least narrow down your options) so you can find an internship in that field. For example, if you know that you want to work with cars, you will want to apply for an internship with an automobile company or a supplier to an automobile company. Your interest in cars will be discussed in the interview and you will want to communicate that interest and how you are taking (or plan to take) courses in college related to cars.
After you have established interest in an internship job, you'll want to create a resume that demonstrates how you meet (or exceed) the requirements that the employer is asking for in the internship job posting. You want a nice, clean, simple, one page resume. Only apply for jobs that you are either completely qualified for or mostly qualified for. If you are not at all qualified, don't apply. Your qualifications will be discussed in the interview.
Finally, show-up to the interview on-time and looking nice. Buy a suit package (suit, shirt, tie, pocket silk, and shoes) and wear it to the interview. It will communicate that you are serious about the job. At a bare minimum, wear a shirt, tie, and pants. Remember, you never get a second chance to make a first impression.
I hope this helps!!
Sam
Thank you Sam Seldon, i really appreciated your answer.
Tharles
Caroline V
Caroline’s Answer
Be confident in yourself. Be direct , ask questions show you are truly interested in what the company stands for. Be honest if you are asked a question and you have never done it before say i do not have direct experience doing that however I am a fast learner and it will not be a problem for me. Personality is very important your personality has to be able to work well as a team with others to get the job done. We all know that people have different work ethic its how you find the way to work with the others that will get the job done. Make sure you express any advancement opportunities within the company this will tell the employer that you are looking for the long hall not just a few months. Also this will be good knowledge for yourself so you can decide if it is truly the job for you or not.
Thank you Caroline Velasquez, it was really helpful !
Tharles
Victoria Montgomery
Victoria’s Answer
I would offer a couple of pieces of advice:
1. Be on time - 5-10 minute prior to the interview is perfect
2. Be prepared - do your research on the company & the product
3. Know the role & familiarise yourself with the skills & experience they're looking for
4. Research your interviewers - know a little bit about their career backgrounds (LinkedIn profiles are good for this!)
5. Be inquisitive - ask questions during & make sure you have some questions prepared for the end
6. You don't always need to be in a suit & tie - check out the company and try and get a feel for their culture/vibe. Always make an effort to look smart, but this could also be wearing just a nice shirt and jeans!
Poonam Kherde
Poonam’s Answer
1. SMILE:
You would prefer not to try too hard, however, think positive and grin when you’re facing the interviewer and when it’s fitting amid the interview. Positive individuals with solid interpersonal abilities will more likely be recruited.
2. DRESS PROPERLY:
It can be truly clumsy on the off chance that you appear for a job interview under-dressed or overdressed. In case you don’t know what to wear, look at these tips for how to dress for an interview so you create the best impression.
for more: http://saytooloud.com/interview-tips/creating-best-impression-interview-heres/
Jeff Arnold
Jeff’s Answer
Tobias Deardorff
Tobias’s Answer
The rest of the advice on this thread is amazing so I won't rehash any more of that.
Cory Harrelson
Cory’s Answer
Abir Majumdar
Abir’s Answer
Do your research.
Be kind to everyone regardless of role. Treat receptionists and other with respect.
Li Liang
Li’s Answer
1. To be prepared. Before the interview, you can search some information about the company and the position.
2. Show your positive attitudes. Everyone loves to work with someone full of energy, looking things positively.
3. Deliver a good conversation. Introducing what you have done and who you are with a systematical way (well structured).
4. Answer the questions honestly. If you really don't know some question, just say No.
Debby Callenius
Debby’s Answer
From my own experience, I have learned, be yourself, smile, be respectful.
Listen completely and pay attention to the person speaking, eye contact is GOOD.
(don't be anticipating your answer before the question is asked, don't look through papers
while someone is still speaking)
Larry Heim
Larry’s Answer
Find out all you can about the company ahead of the interview. Research their product lines, dollar volume, number of employees, market penetration. During the interview show genuine interest in what the company does & what they have accomplished. This will come easy if you have done a thorough research. Be prepared to discuss what you can do as it applies to them from what you have learned & your experience.
Tyronda Simpson
Tyronda’s Answer
1. Study the job description to understand why you want the role and what makes you the obvious choice. Be sure to sprinkle these messages throughout your responses to questions.
2. Bring at least two hard copies of your resume with you
3. Show up early - at least 10 minutes, to ensure that you are checked in, settled and can calm yourself before the interview starts
4. Dress appropriately for the role
5. Make eye contact with the interviewers as much as possible to demonstrate confidence.
6. Be sure to understand the questions being asked, even if you have to repeat it back to the interviewer to confirm.
7. Be thoughtful in your responses to the questions.
8. Smile!
9. Be authentic!
10. Thank each interviewer for their time and confirm with the final interviewer what the next steps are in the process.
Good luck!
Steve Thomson
Steve’s Answer
Like most things in life, practice helps a lot. So, give yourself the license to learn and grow here as you go through the interview process.
Here are some tips I have learned through the years as I have sat on both sides of the table.
+ Prepare. Try to do some research on the company in advance... and, if possible, the person you are interviewing with. You don't need to be an expert on the company or the role -- but you should have some facts and opinions to show you took the time. The very act of preparation will impress many interviewers... they will know you care.
+ Tie your background and desire to the role. While it may be true your education or life experiences don't always fit the ideal candidate description perfectly, that's okay. While always maintaining honesty and transparency, it is okay to market yourself. The key is to try and tie your passion and experience to the job and company. Be creative and passionate. Again, your interviewer will appreciate how you are tying yourself to the role... even if the match isn't perfect.
+ It's okay to pause. Don't feel like you have to rush an answer. Go slow (it will most likely only feel slow to you... but look fine to the interviewer). Pause to collect your thoughts as necessary. Repeat the question - if necessary - to ensure you understand (this is a great skill once you have the job as well... you want to always aim at the right goal).
+ Reflect. Ask yourself what you think did well -- and what you could improve on. Don't let the outcome of getting the job or not be the only indication of how you did and what you can learn. Your interviewer may also be willing to give you some advice.
Take the process seriously. But cut yourself some slack along the way. Best of luck to you!
C McHugh
C’s Answer
Research the job indept and know it inside out. Have example questions they could ask you prepared based on the job spec.
At the end thank them for their time and outline how much the role means to you.
Jayne Wallace
Jayne’s Answer
Be prepared -- understand the company. Relate how your experience WILL solve problems the company is currently facing. Relate how your ideas WILL grow their business.
Bridie Kennedy
Bridie’s Answer
Noelle Linzy
Noelle’s Answer
As far as the company, make sure you do some fact checking before your interview on what business model they are in (what do they do?), where they are headquartered, how many people work there, etc. You should also do some research on the interviewer as well (where did they go to college, how long have they been at the company, and where did they work previously?
If you really want to impress them, make sure to check the latest news feed on their company in case there has been recent news that is relevant to the company operations.
You can find extensive information on LinkedIn and on-line about the company and you can usually find the interviewer's LinkedIn profile as well which tells you about the person you will be speaking with. Don't be afraid to drop a question to the interviewer about something personal. (For example, I see that you enjoy professional sailing. Where is your favorite place to sail?)
Lakesha Jackson
Lakesha’s Answer
Make sure you arrive 10 min early for your interview.
Dress appropriately
Make eye contact
Make sure you research the company’s core values. Be ready to answer general questions about the job.
Be honest
Speak on real life experiences when asked situational questions
Be energetic
These are some of the things we look at when interviewing qualified individuals. I hope this helps!
Stephanie Murnen
Stephanie’s Answer
Here's a few helpful articles to read!
https://www.themuse.com/advice/8-ways-to-make-a-great-first-impression-at-an-interview
https://www.thebalance.com/best-impression-at-an-interview-2060572
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/margaret-olatunbosun/7-tips-good-impression-interview_b_8108070.html
I encourage you to be yourself and act authentic, but also act respectful, professional, and polite. Dress professionally, make sure to use eye contact, and to speak clearly, and sending a nice thank you note or email after the interview always helps. Good look!
Flora Farquharson
Flora’s Answer
Make eye contact and stand up and shake the hand of whoever your are meeting - and smile
Don't chew gum
Ask questions - not understanding something or being nervous is ok. Ask them to clarify or rephrase the question for you
Avoid overpowering smells - aftershave, perfume or even cigarette smoke
Be prepared for the interview, know your CV inside out, do your research on the company and have good questions prepared. The internet is a great place for research. Some companies may ask competency based interview questions, these sound scary but are methodical in their answers, so do some research on these and they wont be so scary at all. And make sure answers relate to the business and role you are interviewing for.
They want to get to know you and your experience, so also be yourself! And take a deep breath - you are prepared and can do this!
Pat Stewart
Pat’s Answer
Poonam Kherde
Poonam’s Answer
Creating an impression is definitely a part of how to face interview.
1. SMILE:
You would prefer not to try too hard, however, think positive and grin when you’re facing the interviewer and when it’s fitting amid the interview. Positive individuals with solid interpersonal abilities will more likely be recruited.
2. DRESS PROPERLY:
It can be truly clumsy on the off chance that you appear for a job interview under-dressed or overdressed. In case you don’t know what to wear,
for more : http://saytooloud.com/interview-tips/creating-best-impression-interview-heres/
Kathy B
Kathy’s Answer
At this point, you have nothing to lose!
A co-worker gave me great advice many years ago which I still rely upon in difficult or awkward situations -
"Say what you mean, mean what you say", in other words, be your genuine self.
Other tips: be prepared, truly listen to the interviewer, don't be afraid to ask questions and smile.
Experience may give you a boost in landing a job but if you don't have any, always stress a strong work
ethic and a willingness to work hard and learn new skills.
Good Luck!
Elizabeth Leary
Elizabeth’s Answer
rehearse answers to typical interview questions beforehand so you are prepared and well spoken. Never looks good to say "um" and "I don't know."
KNOW about the company you are interviewing for.
Always have questions prepared. They always ask "So do you have any questions?" come prepared with questions of substance.
NEVER let any of your questions be about salary or benefits in the first interview, unless they start that discussion. If they are interested you will find that out at a more appropriate time.
Bring extra copies of resume and cover letter
Dress properly. Read about the company beforehand and determine whats appropriate attire.
ALWAYS send a thank you email to your interviewer, preferably later in the same day as the interview.
Warren Jones
Warren’s Answer
The best advice I can give is to have a good understanding of the company that you are seeking a job from. Often I've interviewed people who have not taken the time to learn about the company. The is a wealth of information available on a companies website and online that can be referred to during the interview. I wonder that if you haven't taken the time to understand the company, then are you really interested in a role at my company.
Jen Black
Jen’s Answer
1. Are you on time?
2. Are you confident and maintained direct eye contact during the interview?
3. Are you dressed appropriately?
4. Are you knowledgeable about the position you are seeking?
5. What materials did you prepare to share with me and are they professional and impactful?
6. When asked a question, did you provide specific examples along with results achieved?
7. Did you take your time to think through your answers before responding?
8. Did you take notes on any information I was sharing about the job and company?
9. Did you come prepared with questions and references?
10. Did you thank me and follow-up the interview with a thank you call or email?
Best of luck!