First Impressions: Your 7-Second Superpower
Analogy: Think of a job interview like meeting a new friend at the playground. In the first few seconds, they decide if you’re fun to play with!
The Magic of First Moments
Imagine you’re a superhero, but your superpower only lasts 7 seconds. That’s how long someone takes to form their first impression of you!
Why 7 seconds matters:
- The interviewer’s brain takes a “snapshot” of you
- This snapshot becomes hard to change later
- It’s like the cover of a book—people judge quickly!
Real Life Example: Sarah walked into her interview slouching, looking at her phone. The interviewer thought: “She doesn’t care.” Even though Sarah was super qualified, she didn’t get the job.
Tom walked in standing tall, smiled, and made eye contact. The interviewer thought: “This person is confident!” Tom got hired.
Your 7-Second Checklist:
- Stand tall (like a superhero!)
- Smile naturally
- Make eye contact
- Put your phone away
Punctuality and Arrival: The Early Bird Gets the Job
The Golden Rule: Arrive 10-15 minutes early. Not 30 minutes (that’s awkward!). Not 1 minute (that’s stressful!).
graph TD A["Leave Home"] --> B["Arrive at Building"] B --> C["Find Reception"] C --> D["Check In"] D --> E["Wait Calmly"] E --> F["Interview Time!"]
Why Early = Smart:
- You can find the bathroom
- You can catch your breath
- You can review your notes
- You look organized and respectful
Story Time: Marcus planned to arrive at 9:45 AM for his 10:00 AM interview. But traffic was bad! He arrived at 9:58, sweating and stressed. He couldn’t focus on questions because his heart was racing.
Lisa left extra early. She arrived at 9:40, found a quiet spot, took deep breaths, and walked in calm and ready at 9:50.
Pro Tips:
- Do a practice trip the day before
- Add 20 extra minutes for surprises (traffic, lost keys, etc.)
- Know where to park or which bus to take
Greeting and Introduction: Say Hello Like You Mean It
Your greeting is like a handshake for your voice. It should be warm, clear, and confident.
The Perfect Introduction Formula:
- Smile first (before you speak!)
- Say “Hello” or “Good morning”
- Say their name if you know it
- Say your name
- Express something positive
Example Script:
“Good morning, Ms. Johnson! I’m Alex Chen. Thank you so much for meeting with me today.”
What NOT to do:
- “Hey… um… I’m here for… the thing?” (unclear)
- “HELLO!!!” (too loud)
- Looking at the floor while talking (no eye contact)
- Mumbling your name (speak up!)
Practice Exercise: Stand in front of a mirror. Smile, then say: “Good morning! I’m [Your Name]. It’s wonderful to meet you.”
Do it 5 times until it feels natural!
Physical Greeting Etiquette: The Art of the Handshake
A handshake is like a secret code between two people. It says: “I respect you, and I’m confident!”
The Perfect Handshake Recipe:
- Dry hands (wipe them first if nervous!)
- Web-to-web contact (the space between thumb and finger meets theirs)
- Firm but gentle (imagine holding a small bird—don’t crush it, don’t let it fly away!)
- 2-3 pumps (up-down motions)
- Eye contact while shaking
- Smile naturally
graph TD A["Extend Right Hand"] --> B["Web-to-Web Contact"] B --> C["Firm Grip"] C --> D["2-3 Pumps"] D --> E["Release Smoothly"]
Handshake Disasters to Avoid:
| Type | What It Feels Like | What It Says |
|---|---|---|
| Dead Fish | Limp, weak | “I’m not confident” |
| Bone Crusher | Too strong | “I’m aggressive” |
| Finger Grab | Just fingers | “I’m uncomfortable” |
| Too Long | Won’t let go | “I’m awkward” |
Cultural Note: In some cultures, handshakes are different! Some prefer a bow, some prefer lighter contact. When in doubt, follow the interviewer’s lead.
Waiting Room Behavior: You’re Still Being Watched!
Here’s a secret: The interview starts in the waiting room! Receptionists often tell interviewers about how candidates behaved.
Waiting Room DO’s:
- Sit up straight (no slouching!)
- Put your phone on silent and away
- Smile at people who walk by
- Review your notes quietly
- Be kind to everyone (receptionist = important!)
Waiting Room DON’Ts:
- Scroll through social media
- Make loud phone calls
- Chew gum
- Spread out your stuff everywhere
- Look bored or annoyed
Story Time: Emma was super friendly to the interviewer but ignored the receptionist. Later, the receptionist told the manager: “She seemed rude.” Emma didn’t get the job.
David smiled at the receptionist, said “Thank you for your help,” and sat quietly. The receptionist told the manager: “He seems really nice!” David got the job.
The Waiting Room Test: Pretend there’s a hidden camera. Act like every moment matters—because it does!
Voice Tone and Projection: Be Heard, Be Remembered
Your voice is an instrument. Learn to play it well!
Voice Volume Guide:
- Too quiet: They can’t hear you. It seems like you’re hiding something.
- Too loud: It feels aggressive. They’ll be uncomfortable.
- Just right: Clear, warm, and easy to hear.
The Goldilocks Test: Imagine you’re talking to someone 2 meters (6 feet) away. That’s your interview volume!
Tone Tips:
- Warm: Add a small smile while talking (people can HEAR smiles!)
- Confident: Don’t end statements like questions? (voice going up?)
- Engaged: Vary your tone—don’t be a robot!
Practice This: Say “I’m excited to be here” three ways:
- Bored and flat (wrong!)
- Screaming (wrong!)
- Warm and confident (perfect!)
Speaking Pace and Clarity: Slow Down, Champion!
When we’re nervous, we talk FAST. But fast talking = confusion.
The Speed Limit:
- Normal conversation: 120-150 words per minute
- Interview pace: 100-120 words per minute
- Slightly slower = you sound thoughtful and confident!
Clarity Checklist:
- Pronounce each word fully (don’t mumble!)
- Pause between sentences (give them time to think)
- Breathe! (No oxygen = no clear speech)
graph TD A["Take a Breath"] --> B["Speak One Sentence"] B --> C["Pause Briefly"] C --> D["Breathe Again"] D --> B
The Water Glass Trick: If they offer you water, take it! Sipping water:
- Gives you natural pauses
- Keeps your throat clear
- Lets you think before answering
Story Time: Jake was so nervous he answered every question in 5 seconds, speaking super fast. The interviewer couldn’t understand him!
Maria took her time. She paused, thought, then answered clearly. Even when she didn’t know something, she said “Let me think about that for a moment.” She sounded smart and calm.
Avoiding Filler Words: Delete the “Ums”
Filler words are like weeds in a garden. A few are okay, but too many ruin everything!
Common Filler Words:
- Um, uh
- Like
- You know
- So…
- Basically
- Actually
- I mean
Why They Hurt You:
| Too Many Fillers | What They Hear |
|---|---|
| “Um, like, I basically did, you know, the project…” | “This person is unsure” |
| “So, um, actually, I mean, I worked there…” | “They’re not prepared” |
How to Remove Fillers:
- Replace with silence. A pause is better than “um.”
- Slow down. Fast speakers use more fillers.
- Practice recording yourself. Listen and count your fillers!
- Use transition phrases instead:
- Instead of “Um…” → “That’s a great question.”
- Instead of “Like…” → (just pause)
- Instead of “So…” → “Here’s what happened.”
The 1-Week Challenge: Record yourself answering interview questions for 5 minutes each day. Count your fillers. Try to reduce them by half each day!
Remember: A pause makes you look thoughtful. “Um” makes you look uncertain.
Choose the pause!
Your First Impression Action Plan
graph TD A["Arrive 10-15 min early"] --> B["Deep breath in waiting room"] B --> C["Smile at everyone"] C --> D["Strong handshake"] D --> E["Clear, warm greeting"] E --> F["Speak slowly and clearly"] F --> G["Pause instead of um"] G --> H[You've got this!]
The Night Before:
- Pick your outfit
- Plan your route
- Practice your greeting
- Get good sleep!
The Morning Of:
- Eat breakfast
- Arrive early
- Breathe deeply
- Smile!
Remember: You’ve prepared. You’re qualified. Now let them see the best version of YOU!
Final Thought: First impressions are like wet cement—they set quickly and last forever. Make yours count!