First Impressions Really Do Count ~ Job interviewers do make snap judgments based on certain signals.

 A firm handshake during a job interview, a look of confidence and smiling when you meet someone are important.

Did you know interviewers do make snap judgments based on those immediate signals?  In an experiment conducted at the University of Toledo two trained interviewers  interviewed almost 100 volunteers and at the completion of the interview the interviewer filled out a six-page evaluation of the person he had just interviewed.

Next, all that was shown to a series of strangers who rated the applicant based solely on what they saw during that 15 seconds. (This would be the time the applicant knocked on  the door, walked in,  shook the interviewer's hand, sat down and the interviewer welcomed the applicant.).  The reviewers then used the identical six-page evaluation forms that the original job interviewers had. Amazingly, the results were virtually identical.

We all tend to make snap judgments of people we meet and it is only when a person's later actions grossly differ from our initial impression that we change our impression of that person.

Those first 15 seconds do count more than we ever realized. What we do during the first 15 seconds of a job interview will color the impression of the person doing the interview. Of course job skills are important and if you aren't qualified you probably won't get the job no matter how confident you appear.

Project  confidence even if you don't really feel it and observers believe you really are confident. Note: your interviewer is probably a bit nervous. Your confidence can help them feel comfortable and relaxed and that is what they will remember about the time spent with you. (One person noted that the best interviews he had started out as interviews and developed almost into a conversation between friends. Every time that has happened he got offered the job.)

Try using these tips to give yourself the extra edge:

• Stand straight. Look confident and strong; not hesitant and weak.
• Look the interviewer in the eye. If you are hesitant about meeting a person's eyes, you look uncomfortable  and will create discomfort in the interviewer. 
• Smile warmly (even if you have to fake it) so you appear as if you are glad to be there and glad to meet the interviewer. This encourages the interviewer to smile back and their smile will help reinforce your own feeling of friendliness.  
• Firm handshake. This signals that you are in control of things, know where you are headed and are competent. A weak or hesitant handshake signals otherwise. 
• Speak clearly and confidently. If your voice is naturally low practice speaking up. 

MAKE A GOOD FIRST IMPRESSION TAKE AWAY POINT: Practice that first 15 seconds by walking straight into the office, give a strong handshake, say how pleased you are to meet the interviewer as you look him/her in the eye and smile warmly.  Once you have that over you can sit down, relax and begin to sell your skills.

P.S. one report shows that women who wear lipstick feel more self-confident and for some reason have better balance, are more stable on their feet and are less likely to stumble.