First Impressions
Your most important interactions with a potential employer.
The process of applying, interviewing and accepting a job offer is a series of first impressions. Whether you are dropping off a resume or being interview for a position, your potential employer will be assessing your suitability for their company based on a series of verbal and non-verbal cues.
Matching a candidate to a position goes beyond your skills and education. Throughout the recruitment process, your potential employer will be evaluating if your personality will be a good fit for the organization and the role, and whether there is scope for your career trajectory within the company.
Rather than viewing these first impressions as a challenge, you can think of them as a series of opportunities to re-confirm that you are the ideal candidate for the position starting with your resume and then the interview.
Your Resume
In most cases, you will be applying for positions online. But, if it is at all possible, consider dropping off your resume in person and meet the hiring manager. If it is not an option, your covering letter and resume need to do the job of communicating your personal brand to the employer.
Your resume should showcase your career trajectory and focus on the skills and experience that are most important for the position. You should seek to add value by making it easy for potential employers to see how you would be the right fit for the job. Keep in mind that your prospective employer may be reviewing hundreds of other resumes for the position, so think of ways to make yours stand out from the competition.
Your Interview
If your resume was good enough to get your through the first step of the hiring process, you know that you’re in with a good chance. The employer has had a chance to review your education and experience to check that it matches their requirements; you just need to convince them that you are the right person for the job.
Studies suggest that you have under a second (and up to seven seconds) to make a good first impression when you meet someone for the first time, and an interview is no different. Also keep in mind that over 90% of communication is non-verbal, which means that the words that you use are not nearly as importantas the way you say them.
It’s normal to be nervous in these circumstances, but you can ensure that you:
- Are dressed appropriately
- Have done your homework and have a good understanding of the company
- Offer a firm handshake
- Have positive body language
- Smile regularly, maintain a positive energy, and keep eye contact
If you are looking for a new career opportunity, the team at Flexible Staffing can help. With years of recruitment experience and a track record of successful placements, we can help you with the next step of your professional journey.
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