How To Make A Great First Impression At A Job Interview

Whether you’re looking for a job or just meeting someone for the first time, the first impression is crucial. Your first impression is the foundation of your character; it’s the thing people will remember about you and it’s the person they’ll compare you to as you grow. So how can you make sure you make the best first impression? Here are some awesome tips to help you out:

RESEARCH

It’s crucial to know who you are meeting. Not only because you need the information for potential interview questions, but because you want to show that you are passionate about and invested in whoever might hire you. Take a look at the company website and read their about page, delve into their history, relate to their purpose. (You can take a look at Red Door’s “Story” page and “Values” page for practice!) You’ll feel a hundred times more confident with this knowledge under your belt.

BE COURTEOUS

This is a no-brainer, but it’s often a big issue. All you have to know is be on time, be respectful, be attentive, be humble, and be polite. Easy peasy!

DRESS FOR SUCCESS

This doesn’t always mean you should pull out your most formal outfit and rock that to every first meeting. Sometimes a suit and tie or blouse and pencil skirt are not the most appropriate attire and, no matter how sharp you look, you won’t sell yourself well if you don’t look the part. Go back to the research and understand the brand. What is their aesthetic? In other words, what does their style look like? Are you interviewing for a brand that is all about the outdoors? If so, rethink the pantsuit. And remember: You’re Never Fully Dressed Without A Smile.

PRESENT YOUR RESUME

It goes without saying: experience will set you apart. But your resume doesn’t only highlight your accomplishments and background, it showcases your character. One of the main concerns I hear from teens searching for their first part-time job is, “But I don’t have anything to put on my resume.” To this I say, “Of course you do!” When I applied for my first job in retail I obviously had no prior “experience,” but I drew up a resume which spotlighted my success in school, awards I’d received, my volunteer work, and extracurriculars. I even added that I babysat my sisters! I came into the store, dressed for success, and asked to personally talk to the manager. I showed her my resume and convinced her that I would be a helpful and advantageous addition to her team, and I was hired two hours later. True story. Always have a resume, always have any and all references possible.

CREATE YOUR CONFIDENCE

Confidence is a very attractive quality, but don’t be cocky. Kendrick Lamar says “Be Humble” and I’d listen to him. I know a lot of people who wouldn’t label themselves as “confident.” However, I believe people can be adaptable if they want to be. This is a growth mindset, which our CEO talked about a few weeks back. I believe anyone can be confident, they just need to be motivated to make that transformation. If you truly want to make that awesome first impression, then create your confidence. Know what sets you apart, what makes you an individual, and let that be your selling point! Be you and know what makes you special. And if you need to calm your nerves, check out this post on How To Perform Under Pressure.