Why the First Ten Minutes of Your Interview are the Most Important

Surveys have shown hiring managers typically know if they will hire someone within the first 10 minutes of an interview.

For job seekers, this means the interview starts before they even shake a hiring manager’s hand, so they need to exhibit enthusiasm and confidence right away. The opening minutes of any conversation usually set the tone, which makes it a good idea to prepare for the initial interview questions.

Setting the tone before you talk

Being punctual is a given. If you’re running late, contact your interviewers to let them know.

Also, be sure to look professional. While the way you look won’t get you the job, it can play a part in how you’re first thought of. When you appear in a neatly pressed suit and freshly polished shoes, you’ll appear professional and well put-together.

If, conversely, you’re dressed too casual, carrying a bulky purse full of junk or fumbling with a stack of resumes, you’re most likely not going to exhibit the necessary professionalism.

Be assertive in your actions

When you’re a guest somewhere, as you are during an interview, you typically allow your hosts to make the first move when it comes to introductions and interactions. However, an interview is one situation where it’s okay to be assertive. Go ahead and extend your hand first for the handshake, or walk toward someone as they approach you.

These small gestures show you’re excited to be there and prepared to jump into your interview, self-confident and self-assured.

Have answers to the standard starter questions

While there are many different interview techniques, almost all interviews start off with introductory questions – in the same way you might approach someone you had just met. Common starter questions include:

• “Tell me about yourself.”
• “What are you looking for in a job?”
• “What makes you different from everyone else?”

It’s important to go over your responses to these common questions. Where possible, use personal anecdotes that describe the times you handled a serious event, led a team, met a deadline or fixed a problem.

Know your potential employer

Nothing can kill your chances with a company faster than letting them know you didn’t bother to get to know them before the interview. Always study the company before you sit down for interview. Know who they are, what their main challenges are today and the latest news that is related to them.

Demonstrate to them you’ve done your homework and knowing something about their company, and showing you have a number of reasons why you want to work specifically for them.

At Career Concepts, we work with job seekers to make sure they are prepared for every part of the hiring process, including the interview. If you could use some consultation on your interview techniques, reach out to our experts today!