First Impressions Matter! Heres How to Make a Great One - Sterling Career Concepts

First Impressions Matter! Heres How to Make a Great One First Impressions Matter! Heres How to Make a Great One Everyone knows that money doesn’t equal happiness. However, it does make having, doing, and going to the places that bring you happiness much easier. That being said, having a job that generates the income you are looking for and deserve is easily one of the most important things in life. Whether you choose to work a standard 9-to-5 in an office building or have a career where you set your own hours or places of employmentâ€"getting the job is always the first step. Here are a few tips and strategies that you can take advantage of to help you make a positive first impression in any interview situation. Plan Ahead You always want to set yourself up for success. On that note, make sure that youre prepared for your interview or meeting by paying attention to the little details. Research: Make sure you know more about the company than just the name. Being able to answer questions knowledgeably and having interesting stats or info about the company can make you stand out among the other candidates. Prepare: Practice answering common interview questions. Have several answers prepared and have them well-rehearsed, but make sure that your delivery is still fluid and natural. Attire: The best thing you can do is to always dress for the job you want, not the job you have or even the job you might be interviewing for. This rule applies to your clothes, grooming and everything else about your appearance. If your goal is CFO, dress the part even if you are interviewing for the mail room. Vehicle: It may sound silly, but make sure you wash and detail your car. You never know who you might run into in the parking lot! Interview Time Nonverbal communication accounts for anywhere between 55 and 93 percent of total communication, according to research conducted by Dr. Albert Mehrabian of UCLA. What does that mean? Well, the simple truth is that the words you say are only a very small part of what youre actually communicating. Make sure that your physical demeanor matches what you say. In other words, if you declare that you are excited to be there, you better not be slouching back in your chair. Remember that first impressions are formed within the first 7  to 10 seconds upon meeting someone. This means that usually before you even have a chance to say much more than hello and your name, they have already formed an opinion. Don’t fear, though. There are some things you can do to help your situation: smile, lean forward, keep eye contact and offer a firm and confident handshake. Doing these simple things will always help you stand out favorably. Follow Up Don’t forget to follow through! Highly desirable jobs can often have dozens of people applying for the position. One of the best ways to make sure you are remembered is to do some follow-up. This can be as easy as writing an e-mail thanking them for the opportunity. But to really stand out, think about going the extra step by sending a small note.  You can plan ahead so  that it arrives at the end of the day that you interviewed on in case they are making a quick decision. This can also help you on the off-chance that you don’t get that particular job. A good company is always looking for forward-thinking individuals that can take their company to the next level.