by Cody Hodge

Created on: June 08, 2009

When you need to get a job, you need to first go into an interview. The interview is a good way for both the employer, and yourself to get a good idea about one another. You will learn a little bit about what the employer is all about, and the employer will get to know what you are all about, and each side learns what the other brings to the table. Since there are going to be numerous applicants for any opening, you need to set yourself apart in order to get the job.

How do you make a really good impression on the interviewer? One good way is to not be nervous when you go into the interview. Even if you haven't practiced much, or you only know a little bit about the company, just be poised when you walk in. It will make the employer think that you are ready to go, or that you have a little bit of polish as a person. This will make you look a little more mature, and could convince the employer that you would be the type of person who could go live from day one.

When you go into the interview, don't be afraid to speak, and ask questions. If an interviewer brings up someone that you know, or a situation that you have been in before, don't hesitate to speak up. It is only going to help you if you have connections, or can showcase a little bit of experience that you have. It will go a long way to moving you up the list of possible candidates to fill the job opening. Not only that, but if you say something relevant, you will be ingrained into the head of the interviewer.

Don't only act like a professional, dress like a professional as well. Make sure that you dress in a suit and tie, even if you are going for some part-time job. Just because you might wear a t-shirt and shorts during work, you can never hurt yourself by dressing up for the interview. It shows that you take the interview seriously, and will most likely take your work seriously as well. A shirt, and pants are a must, and a tie is a nice touch as well. A tie is probably a must too, but I haven't lost a job due to a lack of a tie.

Make sure that you don't smell bad, or have anything stuck in your teeth. You want your interview to be based on merit, and not on something stupid that you did. As much as you win by having a connection, you lose by having a piece of spinach in your teeth, or a bad odor. This will make the interviewer think of you in a negative light when looking at your resume for a second interview.

Just go into your interview like you would meeting anyone else for the first time. Be polite, be respectful, and be prepared to have a nice little chat with the interviewer. Don't do too much, and just make sure you don't do anything to take yourself out of the mix. You might not get a job with the first interview, but you can sure lose it in the first interview.

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