Creating Magic (Part 2)

Basic etiquette is essential in creating a great, lasting impression. Time management is one of the top items on the list the interviewers look at. Punctuality is a MUST! What an impression you make if you are at least 10 minutes early to the interview, all dressed up and ready with a smile on your face.

Acknowledging the people around you goes a long way. Ignoring people is one of the major taboos. You never know who the people you encounter on your way could be. Be courteous and greet whoever it is that comes your way. Regardless of the kind of response you receive, know that such effort will be remembered. If you find it a task to greet, then a simple genuine smile will do. The idea is just to show that you acknowledge their presence. A stranger today could be an important friend tomorrow.

Another major taboo is bad body odor or bad breath. Candidates who enter the room with either or both leave a bad aftertaste. People will not be able to concentrate, and such odor taints not only the interview room, but the interviewer’s mood as well. Your inconsideration is a turn-off and automatically removes you from the list.

Language is a major interview issue in Malaysia. Candidates tend to speak Manglish or make grammatical errors that become an earsore. Learn to adjust to situations. Leave Manglish at the door when you attend an interview. If you are struggling with the English language, be humble enough to acknowledge it and do something about it. Do not allow your prideful ego get in the way. Reading out loud is a simple way to master the language. Speaking proper English will give you an added advantage on top of your good first impression.

Making a great, lasting impression is not tough if you take note of the common, simple mistakes people make in interviews. Learn whatever that is good, and leave the bad habits behind. Confidence and moderation, with a touch of humility will sail you through the first of many hurdles: making a good first impression.

Creating magic is all about common sense. It is putting effort in what you already know. Make the extra mile for the interview and whatever it is in life and expect wonderful, satisfying results. Extra thought and preparation will hone your intuitive style and make every first impression lastingly magical.

Creating Magic (Part 1)

“A thousand words will not leave so deep an impression as one deed.” Henrik Ibsen, the “godfather” of modern theathre must have forseen the blunders of first impressions, especially during interviews. Even in days of old, first impressions was a major aspect of interviews. Back then you just had to make a good first impression once, and within half an hour, you would know the results. Today, the interview process has evolved so much that it causes confusion and anxiety. You need to create a good first impression each visit you make (at least twice), and it will be at least two weeks before you know the results. What a wait!

Unfortunately, bad impressions are almost impossible to undo, and good impressions are easily overridden by bad ones. Do not expect the interview to go well if you have soured the first impression. The first impression is THE most important aspect you take care of when attending an interview. It sets the tone, and the key to kick start a good relationship. Who would want to make an effort to meet someone who has not given a good first impression?

Creating the first impression is the first of many hurdles to cross, one that will determine your career path. It is rare for the employer to hire a candidate they do not like or have chemistry with. It does not matter if you have the best technical knowledge,or grasp of vocabulary and communication skills, the matter of the fact is, if you fail to make a good impression, know that you have jeapardised your chances of getting that job. Joseph Le Conte once said, “The essential thing is not knowledge, but character.”

So, is creating a good first impression tough? Or putting it in another way, is creating a great lasting first impression tough?

It is a simple answer. NO IT IS NOT! Honestly, it is all about common sense, and basic etiquette. This does not only apply to the interviews you attend, but the people you meet along the way. The first 3 to10 seconds of meeting is the most crucial part of the interview. Always bear in mind that wherever you are, whether in an interview or meeting, judgement is passed the moment you step through the door, from your posture to the way you walk, your smile, and the form of handshake you give.

The distance you walk from the door to the chair, which we shall dub “The Magic Walk”, gives way to the person you are. It is the switch to the interviewer's interest. Your job is to make sure it is switched on and KEPT on. When you enter the room, go in with a purposeful stride. A good self-esteem generates positive attitude that will in turn become confidence.. A genuine smile is the hightlight of the walk. A common saying goes, “Smile and the world smiles too.” It is a contagious habit that humans have, and one that is very useful in creating a great, lasting first impression.

“The Magic Walk” is not complete if you do not have the right look. Imagine walking in confidently with a smile on your face, but wearing a shabby outfit. People may think you are a little off mentally. Dressing to impact should be on top of your preparation list, regardless of where you are heading. “A picture is worth a thousand words.” Dress appropriately according to the industry you are going into. Your effort to dress adds merit to the impression you give, and it will be duly noted by the interviewer.