Everyone talks about how the first ten seconds of a job interview is the most important – well they are wrong and here’s why
So what is this 10-second rule in a job interview all about? The interviewer comes to the reception to invite you into the interview room, it is in this initial meeting when the first impression is received.
Many job interview coaches will tell you “make a good impression in the first 10 seconds and the rest is easy” Well the 10-second rule is a lie and even when you make a good first impression that doesn’t mean the job interview will be easy, it only means that the interviewers will listen to your job interview answers more favourable …without even knowing it
Is the 10 Second Rule a Lie?
A psychologist will tell you the truth about the 10-second rule; that its a lie.
Because first impressions are made in milliseconds.
That’s right, the first impression is made instantaneous.
The subconscious will take billions of pieces of information; your stance, hairstyle, posture, micro facial expressions, the colour of your interview clothes, the material of said clothes, your voice, tonality, the words you say…the list does go on a bit so I will stop there. And without conscious awareness creates a first impression – the interviewer will feel an emotional association to you – this could be positive or negative
Make The First Impression a Good One…
Here’s a great trick to help improve your first impression.
So, I’m not going to say dress in a nice suit blah blah blah…if you’re not already doing the basics stop reading this blog.
When you arrive at your interview, you will, in most situations, be greeted by the receptionist. The receptionist will take your name and you will be asked to take a seat until the interviewer is ready to collect you.
Most people, in this situation, will sit nervously thinking (thinking is an internal process) about how they can sell themselves. This is bad because if you start thinking like this you are sure to increase your nerves – not a good start.
Secondly, when the interviewer comes to meet you, what do they find someone daydreaming – not a good first impression.
Instead, apply this little trick using interveiw psychology:
Ask the receptionist about her day? I know not what you expected? Follow this up with more questions – basically get the receptionist into a conversation with you (you could even ask questions about the organisation to see if you would like to work there)
What happens now is that when the interviewer arrives to greet you, their first impression is a friendly, confident and professional person engaged in a conversation – that’s just the conscious first impression.
Remember we said that the subconscious makes an automatic first impression in milliseconds based on, well, everything about you.
When you are involved in a conversation your body language to your voice is more charismatic compared to when you are sat nervously in a waiting room chair. The interviewers subconscious will be screaming they’re amazing, hire them now – well not quite but you can see how this simple strategy creates a better first impression
