Impress at first sight
Arvind Sharma

IF you are going for an interview and want to make the best first impression, keep in mind the fact that others form up to 90 per cent of their opinion about you in the first four minutes and 60 to 80 per cent of the impact that you make is non-verbal.

Here are nine golden keys to creating the right first impression in an interview:

Remove your outer wear like overcoat and give deposit it with the receptionist, if possible. Avoid entering an office with your arms full of clutter that can make you fumble and look inept. Always stand in the reception area even if the receptionist insists that you take a seat. Stand with hands behind your back (shows confidence) and move slowly back and forth (confident, controlled) or use steeple gesture. These body signs are a constant reminder that you are still there and waiting.

Your entry tells others how you expect to be treated. When the receptionist has given you the green light to enter, walk in without hesitation. Do not stand in the doorway like a nervous school child waiting to see the headmaster. When you walk through the door of the interviewer’s office, maintain the same speed. People who lack confidence change gears and perform a small shuffle as they enter. You must not poke your head around the door to see if the interviewer is ready, as this shows the lack of confidence. Take a deep breath, calm yourself and enter the room.

Even if the interviewer is on the phone, rummaging through a drawer or tying his shoelaces, walk in directly and confidently with a smooth motion, put down your briefcase, folder or whatever is in your hands, and after a handshake immediately take your seat. Let the other person see that you are accustomed to walking confidently into offices and that you do not expect to be kept waiting. People who walk slowly or take long strides convey that they have plenty of time on their hands, are not interested in what they are doing or have nothing else to do.

Keep your palm straight and return the pressure you receive, let the other person decide when to end the handshake. Step to the left of the desk as you approach to avoid being given a palm-down handshake. Never shake hands directly across the desk. Keep in mind — you must not initiate the handshake, but you must be quick to respond to the interviewer’s gesture.

If you are compelled to sit in a low chair directly facing the other person, turn it away 45 degrees from the person to avoid being stuck in the ‘ reprimand’ position. If you cannot angle the chair, angle your body instead. It is incumbent upon you to sit confidently and comfortably; you must not sit down unless the interviewer asks you to do so.

If you are invited to sit in an informal area of the person’s office, such as around an informal coffee table, this is a positive sign because 95 per cent of the business rejections are delivered from behind the desk. Never sit on a low sofa that sinks so low it makes you look like a giant pair of legs topped by a smallhead. If necessary, sit upright on the edge so that you can control your body language and gestures, and angle your body to 45 degrees away from the interviewer.

People who are cool, calm, collected and in control of their emotions use clear, uncomplicated, deliberate movements. High status individuals use fewer gestures than low status individuals. Be expressive, but do not overdo it. Keep your fingers closed when you gesture, your hands below chin level and avoid crossing your arms or feet. As for head movement, nod when talking and tilt heads when listening. Keep your chin up. Give the amount of eye contact that makes the interviewer feel comfortable.

Respect the other person’s personal space, which will be the largest in the opening minutes of the meeting. If you move too close, the person will respond by sitting back, leaning away or using repetitive gestures such as drumming the fingers.

Pack your things calmly and deliberately—not in a frenzy— shake hands if possible, turn and walk out. If the door was closed when you entered, close it behind as you leave. People always watch you from behind as you leave so, if you are a male make sure you have polished the back of your shoes. This is the area many men neglect and women are critical of this. When a woman decides to leave, she will point her foot towards the door and begin to adjust the back of her clothing and hair so that she makes a good rear- view impression. It is a fact that if you are a woman, others study your rear as you depart, like it or not. So, when you get to the door, turn around slowly and smile. It is far better that they recall your smiling face than your rear.