Interviews - it's a performance!

You have no doubt heard about the important interview first impressions.  From the moment when you walk in the room to meet your potential employer, you could make or break that first impression. No pressure but it is crucial! 

When you get to the talking bit try to find a connection with the interviewer to help you both to feel comfortable and also let’s not forget about them; they will want to see a smiling confident face, they want you to be perfect for the job. Give them positive clues straight away!

The more you can do to instill the right impression on your interviewer from the start, the better your chances for having a successful interview. This is not just because the first impression could colour what the person thinks of you, but it could also impact what you think of yourself, at that moment in time.

For example, if you walk into the employer's office and stick out your hand to shake (good work!), but you shake too firmly for the person (ouch!), you may make a poor first impression that you are not even aware of. Be aware of their gender, build and personal style and adjust what handshake you adopt to suit them. It is a generous and human thing to do and they will notice
 
Also:

Move confidently - shoulders back 
         
Use open relaxed body language. 

Tapping, fiddling, clenching hands, glancing round nervously, biting nails, touching face, neck or collar repeatedly and stuttering over your words are all things that the recruiter will be looking out for. It’s a performance!

When answering:

1.     Take your time

2.     Deliver what you want to say in your own time with gravitas and confidence

3.     It is not a race to get the answer out, ask for a second if you need one 
 
4.     Make eye contact even when the recruiter is writing, they will notice if you are maintaining eye contact when they raise their head

5.     Be succinct don’t say too much be precise; answer the question and use lucid stories to illustrate your points

Self-confidence and belief will get you a long way but technique and quality answers will get you the job!

More here 

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