When greeted by the interviewer make sure that you give a firm handshake. This is nothing worse than a limp feeble handshake. On the other hand you do not want to squeeze the life out of the interviewers hand with a vice-like grip.
Be mindful that there will be at least 2 people in most interviews, sometimes 3.
As you are introduced, shake hands with each person in turn (make eye contact with each) and try to repeat their name as you do so. Repeating a persons name when you first meet them helps with remembering names. “Hi John, pleased to meet you”, “Anne, nice to meet you”, “Hi Kate, how are you” and so on. It’s simple, it’s polite.
Try not avoid colloquialisms such as “G’day” and “How you going”.
Be positive, but stay genuine
They will, no doubt, ask you how you are – when they do be positive. Even if you have had the morning from hell, keep your answer up beat and positive. Do not go over the top with an over-enthusiastic “I’m fantastic, really good, awesome” – there are a lot of personal development coaches out there who push the ‘over-positive greetings’. These are cheesy and people see through them.
Be polite, be easy and don't mint it
You are in ‘their house’ so wait for them to invite you to sit down.
If they offer you a drink, tea, coffee, water. If you can see a jug of water but no sign tea or coffee, stick to water. Unless there is a tea or coffee machine in view don’t make life difficult for them by asking for a hot drink.
There may be sweets/mints on the table – think before you eat.
- Are the sweets hard and will they clunk around in your mouth as you are trying to speak?
- Are they soft and sticky and will they stick to the roof of your mouth?
- Are they individually wrapped? What will you do with the wrapper?
First impressions do last so make sure that you create a good one!
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