Take it seriously, as if your life depends on it. First impressions are critical and it is a must to impress. The judging starts the moment you walk through the door and into your interview. Your potential employers sitting behind the desk are watching you and forming opinions even before you sit. The rest of the interview is usually spent confirming the first impression or turning this opinion around. Research shows that most hiring decisions are made based on first impressions in the first 30 seconds. If you can impress the interviewers within this short period without saying anything much, and followed by a terrific interview, the job is yours.
But how do you impress? How to make the best first impressions?
Simple – be prepared. When it can be planned and managed, then your chance of success is higher.
Research
Always know your potential employer. Many candidates research a public company’s annual report, looking for profit and loss figures, understanding what industry they are in, who the officers are, and the major events of the past year. They try to find out what the company does, the products the company sells and the customers. Nothing wrong with that, but if you have the time, talk to people who have worked at the company or maybe hang around outside the building while employees are arriving and leaving. Note how they interact with each other, how they behave and dress. Or just drop by to the company. From the lobby itself, you will get a lot of information about the company. The company goals, culture etc.
Look good
At any interview, dress well. Dress professionally. Not flamboyantly, but smart. If you have done your research as detail as above, then you would know the culture already, but if you haven’t it’s best to assume that company culture is on the conservative side. A dark suit and tie for men and dark skirt or trousers with a jacket for women is a general guideline. How you look can make a difference, but you don’t need to look like an FBI agent 
Body Language
Many of us concentrate so much on verbal communication that we forget to pay attention to our own body language. You may say all the right things, but at the same time, your body language must also support what you are saying and not otherwise. Try to relax and be comfortable. Don’t slouch. Lean forward slightly and maintain good eye contact with your interviewer. You must look and feel that you care. If it is difficult for you to relax, read the tips on how to relax before a job interview.
Verbal Communication
When it’s time to talk, talk. An interview is a two-way discussion, conversational but not casual. Answer questions honestly and do not fluff around with your answers. If you don’t understand a question or really don’t know how to answer it, say so. It’s better to be honest than talking nonsense.
There you go, four tips for you to prepared for your interview. You don’t have to be America’s Top Model to impress. First impressions can be managed and if you have done your research and planning right, it should not be a problem. You can never tell the style in which an interview will be conducted, just be prepared .. relax and go with the flow.
