Speaker 1: So you have a job interview
and you want to make a killer first impression you are in the right place. First impressions
are crucial in a job interview, and I want to make sure that you are set up for success by not only
making a great first impression, but creating a lasting impression with the interviewer. All with
the ultimate goal of ensuring that you land that offer. But first, before we get into it, make sure
that you like this video. And of course, subscribe to my channel because I post weekly content,
weekly videos to help you along every step on your journey toward landing your dream job and reaching
your full potential. Make sure to click the bell to be notified. Whenever I drop a new video,
I do not want you to miss a beat. My name is Cindy Makita-Dodd, and according to Forbes within the
first seven seconds of meeting you, people will already form a solid impression on who you are.
Speaker 1: And some research shows that it only
takes a 10th of a second to determine your trust worthiness. After an employer has made a first
impression about you, they spend the remainder of the interview, actually trying to confirm
those assumptions. And that's why it's so critical. And I'm so happy that you're
watching this video, that you make a great first impression, right at the start of your
interview and ensure that that continues on throughout the remainder of the interview.
Now, just to be clear, this is not some evil thing that interview was all hiring managers do
to make life extremely difficult for candidates. It's just human nature. That means that
maybe when you are out shopping or meeting somebody for the first time in a coffee shop,
your mind is doing the same thing. You are making assumptions on that person within the first seven
seconds of your encounter. Speaker 1:
So this is happening in your subconscious, whether you notice it or not, that's why you
have to be very intentional about how you show up so that your first impression can be a great one.
There are lots of videos on YouTube that talk about how to make a great first impression in
your interview. And they go on and on about what to say during your interview and what not to say,
but the truth is you only have seven seconds from the time that you meet that interviewer
to make that first impression. So what can you do within those seven seconds to ensure that you
make a solid and great first impression before moving on to the next steps of your interview,
here are my must know tips to ensure you make a great first impression in your next interview. And
all of these tips surround one major key word. Speaker 1:
And that is confidence. This is the number one thing that employers want to see whether
you are meeting virtually over the phone or on zoom. They want to see that you are confident.
And so these three steps that I'm going to show you to make a killer first impression, all center
around portraying yourself as somebody that is confident. There is no better traits to resonate
with the interviewer more than confidence. So how do you display that? You will confident the moment
that you get on the call with the interviewer or meet them in person. I use the acronym,
B.A.G or bag. The B stands for body language. The A is for appearance and the G is for greeting.
So I want you to remember that when you first step into the interview or you show up online,
bag the job, your body language, your appearance, and your greeting.
Speaker 1: These are the three main things that
you are going to focus on to make that killer first impression. The B is for body language,
shoulders back, chin up, making sure that you appear and feel confident whether you are sitting
in the waiting room waiting to be called in. I love to tell my clients to make sure that you
are not on your phone, looking down, appearing nervous, but rather that you are shoulders back,
head up and JP and slowly scanning the room. This type of body language or posture demonstrates
confidence. This means no fidgeting, no playing with your hair, trying to fix your clothes,
just sit there shoulders back, head up because your body language speaks a thousand words. A
is for appearance. As much as people want to deny that appearance matters. Let me tell you
it absolutely does because it shows that you have really taken the time to show up as your best.
Speaker 1: And again, falling
back on that one main word, which is confidence. So when you're thinking about your appearance,
ladies, it's making sure that your hair is done well, making sure that you have light makeup on,
because again, appearance does matter. And then for the gentlemen, make sure that you are
well-groomed, that your hair is done, that your beard is well-trimmed and that you are looking
sharp. I always feel my most confident when I'm dressed for the occasion. So make sure
that you show up looking your very best for a job interview. And in terms of dress,
some people will ask, how should I dress for a job interview, trying to determine what
the culture is of the company, of where you are going to interview, whether it's a very strict,
maybe formal corporate culture, like a finance institution organization. On the other hand,
if you're going to a more relaxed startup type culture, always try to dress a little bit above
what the rest of the people are wearing. Speaker 1:
Again, when you dress the pots, it shows that you are confident and that you are showing up
to land your dream job. And the G is for greeting because what you say and how you
greet within those first seven seconds makes a big, big, big impact. So make sure that you are
smiling and that you genuinely seem excited and enthusiastic about your interview that day. Now,
in terms of what to say, I want you to greet with a bold and confident introduction saying, hello,
telling them your name and that you're excited to be there. This is how I would introduce myself.
If I was meeting in person, hi there, my name is Cindy Makita Dodd, it's a pleasure to meet you.
I really been looking forward to this interview and if I was in a virtual setting, so I've just
popped up on zoom. I'm smiling. Speaker 1:
My shoulders are back. My head is up. I would actually say hello, use the interview as named
instead, and also express that I'm excited to be on the interview that day. So I would say,
hi, Jamie, it's great to see you today. I've really been looking forward to this
interview. So making those slight tweaks, whether you are interviewing in person
or you are interviewing virtually the greeting makes a big impact. And if you've watched one
of my other videos where I mentioned the hello old friend greeting, this is a great place to use it.
So you want to greet the interview up, like you just ran into an old friend at a grocery store,
maybe somebody that you haven't seen for months or four years, greet them with that enthusiasm,
make sure that you use inflection in your voice. Hi Jenny, it's great to see you.
Speaker 1: I've really been looking forward to that call.
This makes a huge, huge, huge difference when you are meeting somebody for the first time
and especially in making a killer first impression in an interview. So that's it within the first
seven seconds that impression is made. So look at the difference between somebody that shows up,
maybe slouching, not energetic or enthusiastic, not well-groomed to somebody that shows up
shoulders back, head up confident they're dressed the pots. And they greet with that confidence and
enthusiasm. That is the type of person that is going to land a job. And I always say show up like
you were about to land your dream job because when you do that, everything else will change. And so
to recap, how to make a great first impression in a job interview, remember the acronym B A G bag,
the job B is for body language, make sure that your posture demonstrates that you are confident a
is for appearance because how you look matters. Speaker 1:
and G is for greeting. Make sure that you show up with that. Hello, old friend, enthusiasm,
introduce yourself with confidence. And that is the show way to make a great first and lasting
impression. I hope that you found this video useful. If you did, please give it a like and
helps so much, make sure that you subscribe to my channel for more job-seeker related tips. Be sure
to comment below any questions you have about your interview and making a lasting first impression
as usual. Make sure to click the link in the description of this video, where I have free
resources and a free training just for you. I will see you next time. Bye for now.