Tess Taylor 
The first step to getting a job isn’t to submit a resume to a job description posted on a job board. Rather, the first step is to perfect your interviewing skills. Not doing so could end up costing you the position nearly instantly. In a survey of 200 bosses conducted by Come Recommended, indicates that 33 percent of employers know within the first 90 seconds of the interview if they will hire someone.
What Irks Hiring Managers?
If all you get are 90 seconds, what should you be doing to make the right first impression? What should you not do? The job recruiters, employers, and hiring managers share some of the off-putting things applicants do, in this survey. If you want to land this job, don’t make the following mistakes.
The Lack of Eye Contact
Look everywhere else but the job interviewer’s eyes. Not making eye contact is one of the biggest mistakes individuals make during those first minutes. If you cannot smile, look the person in the eye, and offer a firm handshake, you already seem like you are hiding something.
The Wrong Outfit
Don’t dress to make the wrong statement. Sure, you may have the right to wear what you want and to avoid shaving, but doing so gives the wrong impression to the hiring manager. The way you dress, the way you walk, and even the way you act as you walk through the door makes an impression on the interviewer.
- Did you know that wearing bright colored clothing is distracting and not desirable?
- Employers in most professional organizations don’t want employees who dress trendy either.
- In fact, what you wear could be the deciding factor in whether or not to hire you.
The Way You Move
Don’t fidget. Don’t play with your hair. Don’t wipe your nose. Avoid crossing your arms, too. All of these actions are types of body language that often lead others to believe you are hiding something. You may want to brush up on the way body movements influence the way people perceive you. Be as genuine as you can when interacting with others.
What You Do Beforehand
Don’t be un-researched. That is, you need to know about the company. What does the company do? What is the company’s mission state? What types of products do they sell? If you lack information about the company, chances are good you were not interested enough in the organization to actually do the research. Most employers want someone who really wants to be there. Most often, you can get all the information you need by reading the About Us section of the company’s website.
A final must-do tip from the top job recruiters- ask for the job. If you don’t actually reach out to the interviewer and ask for the position, the recruiter feels no obligation to hire you. Those first 90 seconds matter most, but if you do not, by the end of the interview, state your interest and desire to work for the company, you may never hear back.
