By Christine Kane
First impressions mean everything, especially in the interview process. What you say, do and wear will leave a lasting mark on your interviewer more than you think. You want to impress and get that second interview set up, so here are a few do’s and don’ts for women:
Do Have a Firm Hand Shake: Your handshake can tell a person a lot about you and your personality. Too soft, you may come off as timid and not confident. Too firm and rigid, you may come off as hard to work with and aggressive. Find the happy medium when it comes to shaking your interviewer’s hand. When you make a smooth contact for a handshake, have a firm but subtle squeeze and shake 2 times. If you need too, you can practice with a friend.
Do Smile: Smiling goes a long way. Smiling in your interview lets the interviewer know that you want to be there and that you are excited to be there. So often people make the mistake of not smiling and that can give off the wrong idea to the interviewer. Being positive and upbeat will leave a lasting impressing on your interviewer.
Do mind your wardrobe: In your first interview you want to put your best foot forward. This means wearing a suit, preferably a pant suit for the first interview. Skip the bold red’s and stick to the black and grays but pair it with a pop of color blouse underneath. Wearing your hair all down is not considered completely professional, so try a low pony tail or wearing your hair half way up. Shoes and accessories should not stand out, your smile and resume should be the stand outs.
Don’t Overdo: Watch your make up and nails. Clean and simple is best. A great rule of thumb is to give yourself a more ‘natural’ look and then highlight one feature to be the ‘stand out’. As far as your nails go, make sure they are not eye catching. The purpose of the first interview is to show the employer your talents for the job and not to distract them with your makeup and nails.
Do Be Confident: Body language is so important in your confidence. The best way to exude confidence is to sit up straight with your shoulders back. Avoid fidgeting with your hands and playing with your hair, which can lead to you looking nervous. Remember that they wanted to talk to you because they saw something in you. Be confident and proud of your achievements and have no problem sharing it with them.
First interviews are the most stressful but also could be the start to your next career. Remember to don’t overdo it and let your personality and talents shine through. Stand up straight and give them a great handshake. Don’t be afraid to toot your horn too! Good luck and get that second interview!
Christine Kane works at internet service providers and is a graduate of Communication and Journalism. She enjoys writing about a wide-variety of subjects for different blogs.
