Whether it’s immediate start jobs or something you’ve had in the works for a while now, most employers will try to arrange for an interview to get to know a prospective employee. This can be nerve wrecking for any number of reasons, especially since the first impression your employer has of you could potentially make or break the job opportunity.
It’s only natural that we want to put our best foot forward during an interview, but it may feel a little difficult to do that when you’re stressing over every potential scenario. While doing some meditation or breathing exercises on the spot may be good for calming a racing heart, the key to being confident is to be as prepared as possible. While it may not be possible to anticipate every possible question your interviewer may ask you, here are some things you can do to make the best first impression possible.
Clothes Maketh The Man
While it may seem superficial, the fact of the matter is that the first thing people will take note about you is probably going to be your appearance. How you present yourself to an employer can lead to them having certain assumptions about you. For example, if you turn up to an interview for a managerial position with unkempt hair, it usually leads to the assumption that you may be someone who isn’t detail oriented. Likewise, turning up for a job requiring lots of physical labor in a full three-piece suit is unlikely to give your potential employer the best first impression either since it looks like you aren’t prepared to do the heavy lifting (in both a literal and figurative sense).
Before you go about picking your outfit for your interview, take a moment to do some research into the job and work culture of the industry (or, even better, the specific company)you’re planning to find work in. Once you get a better idea of what an “ideal employee” in that field looks like, it’s easier to go about picking a suitable outfit to ensure you aren’t over or under dressed.
Extra tip: Go get your iron. If you have to, go get your outfit dry cleaned and pressed. Wrinkled clothes are never a good look. And make sure your shoes are clean too while you’re at it!
Double Check Your Resume
Even if you haven’t already sent a copy of it to your interviewer, it never hurts to prepare a resume or at least a document which has a record of your past employers and what positions you held. A resume is important because it gives the interviewer a better idea of what your skill set and past work experiences are.
The night before your interview, make sure to have a good look over the contents of the resume you submitted. Try to have an idea of what you’ve learnt from your past work experiences and try to come up with an explanation on how those skills will contribute to the position you’re being interviewed for. Furthermore, if you have a sizable time gap in your resume between when you were last employed or your contract was terminated before the stipulated end date, make sure to find an appropriate way to explain it.
For example, if you were going through a depressive episode which prevented you from working, you can explain the gap by saying you were recovering from an illness. The point isn’t to lie, but you have every right to protect your privacy and do not have to disclose any information you don’t feel comfortable sharing as long as it won’t compromise your job.
Do Your Research
Make sure to do a google search on the job requirements, responsibilities, the company and the expected wage before the interview. While you don’t have to be an expert on the inner workings of a prospective company or the field you wish to enter into, it helps to craft your projected image to resemble one that will align with the company’s vision and mission.
Furthermore, getting familiar with what the job requires will help you to mentally prepare yourself for what exactly the work will entail and makes you look more prepared and more eager to your employer. That being said, you shouldn’t sell yourself short. Do try to have some expectations before entering into a new position such as your expected pay, working hours and workload. By clearly voicing your expectations and learning of what can be expected from your employer (in the way of employee benefits) will give you a better idea of whether or not the position is one that you are willing to take on.
Remember that constant job hopping is often a red flag to prospective employers and quitting or having a contract terminated requires far more explanation than not taking on a job in the first place. Taking on more than you can chew or not being compensated in a way that you think is fair can take a huge toll on both your mental and physical health which in turn will affect your performance at work. So do your research to figure out if you’re a good fit for the job and vice versa.
Getting a new job is always stressful. The fact that you feel like you have to start from scratch because you’re in a new environment and have to initially try to always put your best foot forward is understandably intimidating and tiring to think about. Nonetheless. With enough research and having the appropriate expectations, you can help to manage some of this initial stress and make the best first impression that you’re capable of.