Brad Remillard, an executive recruiter with over 25 years of experience, has conducted over 10,000 interviews and been involved in more than 2,000 executive searches. Brad previously served as President of CJA Executive Search, which was recognized as one of the top search firms in Southern California. In 2005 he co-founded IMPACT Hiring Solutions a retained executive search firm and best practices hiring company. He is co-author of two books on hiring. You're NOT The Person I Hired. His second book helps candidates dramatically reduce their time in-transition is, This Is NOT The Position I Accepted In 1999, Brad co-founded the American Association of Senior Executives (AASE), one of Southern California's largest career management and business resource organizations exclusively dedicated to VP and C-level executives. The AASE has assisted more than 1,500 corporate executives manage their careers. Brad has personally coached many of these executives on success-based interviewing, 21st Century networking techniques, and career transition. He is a frequent speaker on the subject of career management and executive networking.
First impressions are so important in the initial meeting that one would not be too far off base if they argued the most important part of the interview.
First impressions set the tone for the interview and often determine the types of questions, length of the interview, and ultimately the outcome. Making a strong first impression is often the deciding factor in who makes it to the next round. If the candidate makes a strong first impression they are immediately liked by the interviewer.This candidate just moved up the point scale towards the next round and they haven’t even been asked one question. On the other hand, if the candidate makes a weak first impression, the candidate starts out in the hole. This hole if often so deep that no matter how well they answer the questions, the interviewer cannot overcome their first impression. In fact, they may have decided right in the lobby that this person isn’t getting the job.
Tips to making a strong first impression:
· Good eye contact.
· Remain a comfortable distance from the person.
· Firm handshake – even if you think you have one ask someone who will be open and honest. Many don’t, so don’t assume you do.
· Strong introduction coupled with a smile, a strong handshake and eye contact. Practice this introduction.
· Have a couple of conversational questions prepared in advance to engage the interviewer.
· The most important of all are the four “A’s.” A VP of HR at Rockwell Corporation gave us these. They are so important more than 25 years later we still remember them.
- Appearance
- Articulate
- Affable
- Assertive
Bring these four to the first impression and you will move up the scale – not down.
Study after study reveals that likability is the single most important factor used when determining who ultimately gets the job. Underestimating this is a failure of many candidates. Those that make a strong first impression will often do better in an interview than candidates with better experience.
Join our Job Search Networking Linkedin Group. There are over 2700 members and an extensive supply of resources for you to tap into. CLICK HERE to join. Membership is FREE.
We have numerous free downloads on our Web site to help you in your search. Sample cover letters, audio downloads from past radio shows,a transferable skills list, Linkedin Profile Assessment Matrix, and our Job Search Self-Assessment Scorecard. All can be downloaded from our homepage at www.impacthiringsolutions.com.
Every Monday at 11 AM Pacific time listen to our radio show anywhere in the world on www.latalkradio.com channel 2.
I welcome your comments and thoughts
Brad Remillard
- Related Videos
- Related Articles
- Ask / Related Q&A
- What to Bring to a Job Interview - Interview Basics
- Closing for the Job in the Sales Interview - Interview Questions and Answers
- Job Interview Do's and Don'ts
- Greater Confidence: a Critical Factor of Success in Important Interviews
- Questions to Ask Your Interviewer in the Job Interview
- Interview:a Success Journey to a Successful Professional Career
- Sample Interview Questions Can Prepare You For the Real Interview
- Job Interview Skills Enhancement Tactics
Interviewing Faux Pas To Avoid
By: Brad Remillard | 21/11/2009One small mistake like these can ruin an interview.
A Critical Interviewing Mistake!
By: Brad Remillard | 21/11/2009Candidates more often that not miss one of the best opportunities during the interview to shine, to differentiate themselves, and demonstrate their ability to do the job. What a great opportunity missed!!
Tip To Overcome Interviewing Problems
By: Brad Remillard | 21/11/2009If you have negatives on your resume or issues in your background you must know how to deal with these when you get in the interview.
When In-Transition You’re A Salesperson-So Act Like One
By: Brad Remillard | 21/11/2009When you are in-transition you are in sales. You need to develop your sales skills or your job search will take a lot longer.
Job Search Stalled? Do What the Pros Do
By: Brad Remillard | 21/11/2009If your search is stalled, not attaining the traction you want, or the level of traction you were getting isn’t happening now, going back to the basics may be the ticket.
Interview Question - "Why Are You Going to Quit Your Job?"
By: Peter | 20/11/2009Getting the perfect job interview can be a difficult task, so you don't want to risk the opportunity for the lack of some simple preparation. Prepare for tough interview questions well in advance of your job interview and you will greatly increase your chances of success. The following is a common tough job interview question..
Interviewer - How Do You Get On With Your Boss and Colleagues?
By: Peter | 20/11/2009In the ideal world you will love your job and the people you work with. However, it that was the case it's unlikely you'd look for a position elsewhere. The reality is that many people have 'personality clashes' with fellow workers and bosses, and this can drive the desire to move on from that company.
Lousy boss? Counteroffer? Resign with style, grace and a letter of recommendation!
By: Ev Nucci | 20/11/2009When an employee and a company part ways, it can be similar to a relationship breaking up - nasty and acrimonious or mutual and dignified. What is the best way to resign when you are leaving a job of your own volition? No one likes getting "dumped." And that is ...
Interviewing Faux Pas To Avoid
By: Brad Remillard | 21/11/2009 | InterviewsOne small mistake like these can ruin an interview.
Avoiding Age Discrimination in Your Job Search
By: Brad Remillard | 21/11/2009 | RecruitmentMy last article, “Busted, Age Discrimination Reveal” I gave two examples of reverse age discrimination. As a short refresher, I was working two searches for two different companies. In both case they selected the older more experienced people, over the younger candidates with less experience. These were both very senior level positions and even the younger candidates had 20+ years experience. The older candidates had 30+ years experience.
Get Your Resume On Google. SEO Your Search
By: Brad Remillard | 21/11/2009 | ResumesLeveraging the social networks is a great search strategy tactic. Facebook and LinkedIn are both vital to one’s ability to be found by recruiters, HR, hiring managers, PE firms, or for that matter anyone looking to find you, or someone with your experiences. However, a big one that is often overlooked by many candidates is Google.
Do you have the right tools for your search?
By: Brad Remillard | 21/11/2009 | ResumesLike most recruiters, I attend too many networking events. Once a person hears that I’m a recruiter, they generally want to engage me in some conversation that usually ends up with giving me a business card or resume. WRONG TOOLS.
A Critical Interviewing Mistake!
By: Brad Remillard | 21/11/2009 | InterviewsCandidates more often that not miss one of the best opportunities during the interview to shine, to differentiate themselves, and demonstrate their ability to do the job. What a great opportunity missed!!
6 Reasons Why LinkedIn Is So Critical In A Job Search
By: Brad Remillard | 21/11/2009 | RecruitmentA candidate recently asked me, “How do I find a hiring manager in a large company like Microsoft?” There are a lot of ways to do this but one of the easiest and best is using LinkedIn. When I recommended this to the candidate he completely agreed, however, the problem was he only had about 60 connections. Too few to be effective.
Tip To Overcome Interviewing Problems
By: Brad Remillard | 21/11/2009 | InterviewsIf you have negatives on your resume or issues in your background you must know how to deal with these when you get in the interview.
Traditional Resumes Are Worthless
By: Brad Remillard | 21/11/2009 | ResumesIn almost 30 years as an executive recruiter, I have looked at at over 100,000 resumes and through our candidate university coached/instructed hundreds of candidates with their job search. One consistent theme in all of this is that candidates receive a lot of mixed messages on resumes. Too often candidates lose sight of the real purpose for this document or overemphasis its importance.