How to Make a Good First Impression on Job Employers

You can make a good first impression at virtual job fairs, too.

Making a good first impression on employers happens before as well as during meetings with hiring personnel. Human resources departments have to adapt to using newer and better methods of meeting the hiring needs and demands of companies. Many places use a web-based applicant tracking system or résumé management database to collect and organize a deluge of application forms and résumés. In essence, you have to impress a machine and an actual person to make it out of the beginning stages of the hiring process.

Instructions

1. Write résumés that are specific to each employer. Read the job description and include keywords that match your qualifications in the summary at the top of the résumé. This targeted approach is conducive to resume databases. Hiring employers still encourage cover letters, displaying written communication skills. Also follow the application instructions exactly, such as "No emails please" or "Bachelor's Degree Required."

2. Demonstrate growth. Constantly pursue learning and education that increases your knowledge about your career field. Mention that you have earned a first or second bachelor's degree, certificate, license or continuing education credits. If you were exposed to and had training for new business processes at previous employers, let the new employer know, without violating any type of confidentiality agreements or trade secrets.

3. Highlight your professional expertise in detail: "As a computer systems administrator, I have certifications and experience with Microsoft Windows and Linux." Confirm your competence in various subject matters, showing that you are more qualified than other applicants. However, don't appear overqualified, over and above the hiring manager. Concerning the computerized databases, this level of keyword detail betters your chances of being selected for job consideration.

4. Make your personal appearance stand out. Sport a business professional haircut/hairstyle, that doesn't fall into the bland and plain category. Don't simply slick back long hair, and make sure a buzz cut or bald style is flattering to the head. Button-down shirts/blouses and a nice pair of slacks/pants/skirt are a start to dressing appropriately for an in-person meeting, but add a tie or jacket to complete the look.

5. Exhibit professional manners, but still be comfortable in your own skin. Use proper greetings and salutations, unless the hiring employer puts you at ease: "Please, don't call me ma'am." Listen intently so that you can accurately respond to interview questions. Ask if you can jot down notes on paper to help to you remember short snippets of questions.

6. Have an upbeat attitude about working and about life in general. If you have been unemployed for a long time, don't harp on this issue. If the hiring employer mentions a depressing situation, try to be positive or neutral, unless it is something serious like death or sickness. Businesses are driven by optimism, and the employer wants workers who can fit into that mantra.

7. Express that you have current knowledge about your career field: "I believe technology has transformed and benefited this industry"; or "I recognize the importance of globalization and accessing untapped customer demand." Employers need workers who can hit the ground running in a very dynamic business world, which is heavily influenced by innovation. Have your own set of questions specific to the job opening and the company to ask after your are interviewed.

References

• Recruiters.com; A Beginner's Guide for Applicant Tracking Systems; Kyle Lagunas
• The Ladders; Resume, Meet Technology: Making Your Resume Format Machine-Friendly; Lisa Vaas; May 2009
• "The New York Times"; Employers Increasingly Expect Some Education After High School; Jacques Steinberg; June 2010
• Human Resource Executive Online; Ugly People Need Not Apply?; Michael O'Brien; August 2010
• Harris Interactive; Job-Seekers: Update Your Look Before You Update Your Resume; Kristen Gugliotta, et al.; September 2009
• Experience.com; Is It Better to Be Yourself or Fake It in an Interview?; Kate Lorenz
• BNET; 9 Snap Judgments Managers Make in Job Interviews; Jeff Haden; August 2011

Resources

• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics; Applying for a Job; December 2009
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics; Resumes, Applications and Cover Letters; Olivia Crosby, et al.; Summer 2009
• CareerOneStop: Job Seeker Resources