Getting The Job
You dash into the office 20 minutes late, you've split coffee
down your shirt, your clothes are crumpled and you haven't
shaved nor brushed your teeth. You mumble an awkward apology
before thrusting yourself into a chair in front of your
potential employer. It is likely that you have cost yourself
your potential job just by the manner you arrived in the office.
Making a good impression is essential, especially when attending
a job interview. First impressions are influenced by cultural
beliefs, values, personal experiences, and biases. Thus making a
positive impression can be a difficult task but if you stick to
the following guidelines you will likely succeed in creating a
positive first impression.
1.Be on time. It's rude to be late and suggests you don't care.
A message you don't want to send when you desire a job. Keep in
mind, your potential employer will have no problem giving your
job to another person but you may suffer without it.
2.Dress appropriately. Scruffy clothing, too much exposed skin
or clothing with offensive phrases, images or symbols on it
sends negative messages. After all if you can't dress yourself
how can you be expected to be a productive employee?
3.Be aware of body odour. Make sure you are bathed and brushed.
No one wants to work closely with someone who constantly smells
of B.O. or overwhelming bad breath. Not to mention your employer
may fear that your odour may cost him customers due to your
odour.
4.Be polite. Do not swear, use slang and do not use words such
as "like," "um" or "whatever." It is likely your employer will
gather that if you speak to him in this manner, that you will
address customers in the same way, which could affect business.
5.Be aware of your posture. Body language conveys more than our
words ever do. If you are slouched down, have your arms crossed
or keep tapping your pen on the desk; you could be sending the
message that you are bored and uninterested in the job even
though you may just be tired, cold or nervous. Your best bet is
to sit upright and focus on what your employer is saying.
Of course there are other matters to consider such as removing
any piercings & covering tattoos but the above is good start to
making a positive first impression. The most important thing to
do, which is probably the easiest as well is to simply smile.
Smiling is a universal language and employers are more likely to
hire you, as they will feel as though you will be a positive
contribution to their business.