Three Seconds To Sell Yourself Before The Interview

If you have ever read anything on interviewing, job search, or even flirting you’ve read, “You only got 30 seconds to make a great first impression”! That’s hogwash. Now days, “You only got three seconds from the time I see you, to make a great first impression”. As you walk in for an interview you must remember that you are one of many candidates looking for a job. We live in a fast-paced world, where everything is NOW, NOW, NOW!!! NEXT!! As you prepare for your next interview kept these things in mind.

Just like a product or service, the interviewer is sizing you up in about three seconds as well. They have instant coffins in which to throw your resume as soon as you turn your head if you fail at making that impression. Within the first three seconds of prior meeting you, they will make tons of rational and irrational judgments and observations that they will use in their preliminary conclusion. Now all this happens before the actual interview. However, you can make those three seconds count. Ask yourself the following:

Do I have my interview face on?
Am I walking with definition (take strong steps, head up, and chest out)?
Is my demeanor ok, or am I being my usual pompous, ______.
Could I be their lover? Okay, only kidding.
Do I think I fit the look of the part of the organization for which you are interviewing?

The list could be endless. Now I am not saying that this is fair, but it happens. We all pass judgments on a daily basis; after all, I remember reading that we have over 50,000 thoughts that go through our head in a day. So, if you present yourself in the proper way, you can either make it or blow it in those three seconds. Interviewing is an art. It takes preparation and not just for the obvious things. Now ask yourself the following questions:

When you walk into a room, do you have a presence?
Does your posture reflect a positive, confident, happy person? (fake it if you have to)
Darn, are your clothes at least ironed? It’s not about making a fashion statement; it’s about being properly dressed.
Are your shoes clean?

Take advantage of the pre-interview three seconds. Do your best, and stack the deck in your favor. You control the chips, the dice, or whatever you want to call it. You can sell yourself and close that interview before it starts.