12 Ways to Make a Good Impression in an Interview!

You know how important it is to make a good impression, but are you aware of all the possible ways you can do so?  Here are 12 ways to make a good impression in an interview!

1. Be on time. Tardiness to an interview suggests you are less than interested in the opportunity, and makes your interviewer question your fit for the position. Start out on a good foot by being 15 minutes early for your interview. In this case, early IS on time!
2. Dress for success. You only get one chance to make a first impression. Dress to impress, and ignore casual dress codes or “casual Friday” dates for employees. When in doubt, a conservative suit is always a good choice. Conservative hair and shoes go well with the suit. Go simple on the jewelry, light on makeup, cologne, or perfume, and present a clean, neat, and polished appearance.
3. Polish your shoes.  I knew someone who lost a position because his shoes were not polished.  It may seem like an insignificant item in the grand view but speaks volumes about your attention to detail.
4. Practice your introduction. A firm, brief handshake, good eye contact, and the ability to introduce yourself and give a brief statement about what makes you stand out as a candidate go a long way to cementing that first visual impression. “Hi, my name is Jane/John Thompson and I hope I’m the materials engineer you’re looking for!” is a great way to start your interview.
5. Know yourself. Brush up on your own resume, to make sure you know what you emphasized for this opportunity. Know your own work history! Bring a at least 2 copies of your resume to your interview, one in case your interviewer forgot yours, and another for YOU to reference. It’s ok not to remember what month you started a particular job, but you DO need to know you worked at XYZ Manufacturing!
6. Take a pencil and paper.  Be prepared to take notes should the need arise.  Using your phone may lead to distractions that can interfere with your flow of thought if you get a notification while using it.
7. Turn off your phone.  Don’t allow anything to interfere with your interview.  No beeps, text, notifications or emergency calls.  Demonstrate to the interviewer that this job is important to you.
8. Listen. The questions you are asked are important, but so are the statements your interviewer makes. Those statements about the open position, the company, and their requirements are clues to how to aim your answers for the best results. Paying attention really pays off. Be careful that you aren’t using your interviewer’s talk-time to create your next answer, you may lose important information or details if you tune out.
9. Be honest. Make sure you only claim expertise, skills, experience, or education you actually have. While some requirements can be make-or-break, most interviews are about fit. Companies are aware they can train you to better fit the position, but if your honesty is questionable, that’s not an easy fix.
10. Practice your answers. Common interview questions can be found online. Read them over and practice answering them. It’s smart to have a few incidents picked out ahead of time. You don’t have to use your worst mistake, just a real one that you can comfortably discuss.
11. Practice your questions. Ask about things that matter to you. If you’re hoping to have a job where you can advance, ask about the upward mobility in this position. If you want to add more qualifications to your resume, ask if the company provides or supports additional education. Not sure what to ask? Search online for suggestions for questions to ask at the end of interviews if you need some ideas. Asking about corporate culture, or what ways you would be a good fit might be good questions with which to start.   
12. Say thank you. Say it in person at the end of the interview, and then send a quick thank-you email after you return home. It’s not just polite, it’s a reminder of who you are and that you are eager to prove your great fit for the job.