It is an oft quoted statement that “First Impressions Count”. So are it with job interviews and the job seeking process? First impressions are created in the first few seconds of any personal interaction. Once created a first impression can be most difficult if not impossible to shake off. On top of that you never no who could be of help to you or hinder you in the job seeking process. What can you do to work to create and sustain a good first impression?
First of all know where you are going. Nothing is worse than arriving late off the hop. Too early can also be a bad choice – but the issue usually centers on late arrivals of job applicants not early. On top of that if you are a keener and really want the job – is that a bad thing to demonstrate?
Plan to arrive early at the job interview appointment. Parkinson’s Law is that whatever can go wrong will go wrong. Plan for time, you may miss the bus or subway; a train may stop you on the road ete etc. Sure with a cell phone you can phone ahead and inform the interviewer or your delay and delays. Better to leave early and arrive early or at the worst on time.
If you know where the building is where the interview will be conducted good. If not either locate the building on Goggle, MSN or Yahoo maps. Print this out along with the list of directions. It never hurts to carry a paper map as well. Where is the bus stop? Where is parking if you are driving? If the parking lot is full where is a second parking lot? Indeed some job applicants have even been known to make a dry run to as close to the interview site as time or security at the building site allows.
It stands to reason and indeed to common sense that if you are to obtain the employment sought at your employer or organization of preference you want to demonstrate in action that you have a number of key traits – among them timeliness, organization attention to detail as well as respect for the owners, managers or any authority figures at your potential new place of employment. Simply and honestly it shows in action what type of a person and employee you will be to the firm and whether you will be a positive asset to the organization. Present yourself as that.
By arriving late you are firstly demonstrating a lack of respect for the whole interview process at that firm or organization. On top of that can and will demonstrate your lack of planning, attention to detail thoroughness and follow thought. You will appear rushed and disorganized. No doubt because you will feel rushed, harried and most likely disorganized by the time you arrive at the interview late.
In summary: first impressions count when it comes to interviews and the interview process as a whole. Once first impressions are created they are very difficult if not impossible to remove or erase. You are hopefully on your way to the interview to obtain a job offer and a positive offer of employment. If you arrive late you will be presenting very poor first impression. Do everything you can to arrive on time for your chosen interview if not somewhat early.
Shaun Stevens
Ace Employment Training
Ace Employment Winnipeg
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Shaun_Stevens
