When you are trying to get a new job, making strong first impressions during a job interview is vital to your success. The first introduction you have with a hiring manager is going to impact every interaction you have after. You want to make sure that it goes well.

The challenge is trying to figure out how to make great first impressions. Most often, job seekers fall back on trial and error, adjusting their approach after each interview. But, there are three easy things you can do that will help you make a better first impression during a job interview. Here is what you need to do.

1. Assess Your Previous Interactions With Others-

If you want to improve how a hiring manager perceives you during the first critical moments of an interview, you need to reflect on how you have come off in past interviews.

The easiest way to do this is to ask yourself a series of questions – be sure to answer them honestly. For example, do you actively listen when a hiring manager speaks or do you just wait for your turn to talk? Are you respectful of the hiring manager’s personal space or do you tend to intrude? Did your introduction come off as confident or arrogant?

Yes, asking these questions can be difficult, but it’s necessary to improve. By doing this, you start to identify any potential shortcomings, allowing you a chance to fix them.

2. Know Your Strengths-

By knowing what you do well, you can adjust your interviewing style to play the areas where you are strong. Knowing your strengths can give you a nice confidence boost.

Actively knowing what your strengths allow you to recognize skills that don’t require improvement, which lessens the amount of work you have to put forth to make a better first impression.

3. Work on Your Weaknesses-

Almost everyone struggles in some manner when introducing themselves to a hiring manager. The key is to understand what your’s are so you can improve on them. For example, if you tend to stumble over the interview question, “Tell me about yourself,” you can focus on preparing a robust and straightforward response that touches on all the right points – doing this until it becomes second nature. Let’s say that you don’t have a firm handshake; you can ask for the help of a trusted friend to help you get more comfortable.

When you practice self-awareness, you begin to spot potential problems quickly and take steps to fix any issues that can harm your chances of getting a new job. As you continually work through your weakness, the quality of your first impressions will drastically improve, ultimately helping you manage interviews easier.

If you are interested in finding out how to make better first impressions or are searching for a new job opportunity, the hiring team at Award Staffing can help. Contact us today to speak with one of our team members to see how we can help you take the next level in your career.