Your Interview

First Impressions

First impressions are important, making people feel positive about you as soon as you enter the room will make the whole interview a lot easier. You can instantly make a good first impression by:

• Setting the tone for your interview by being early and using the extra time to compose yourself
• Making sure you look clean, smart and crease-free
• Smiling, making eye contact and greeting interviewer with a firm sincere handshake
• Using a clear and confident voice

Emphasising key points- show sincerity and confidence by leaning forward, maintaining eye contact and using expressive gestures in a natural way. Leaning back and looking down may be interpreted as a lack of confidence or boredom.

Avoid clearing your throat- ‘uhs’ and ‘ums’ and other nervous mannerisms such as fidgeting are distracting and indicate a lack of confidence and/or knowledge

Maintain good eye contact- this will show your openness and honesty; don’t overdo it take your cues from the interviewer.

Engage all members of the interview panel.

Be aware of the interviewer’s expressions- if they don’t maintain eye contact it may mean they’re anxious, irritated, uninterested or that they want the conversation to end. If this is the case do not panic, simply conclude your point