First Impressions

Everyone tells me that first impressions are the most important thing in an interview. They are important and they set the tone, but what about after the interview? What then? Does a person’s career ride solely on the first impressions that they make? First Impressions might get you in the door, but in my world, the impressions that you make every day keeps you employed.

Don’t get me wrong, I am a big fan of first impressions. It is important to me that people comport themselves in a manner that makes me want to spend my time with them. First impressions set the mood for the interview. If I get a bad first impression, it is hard for me to overlook it and thus, it will affect the interview. Bad impressions leave me wondering what the problem is. Is it me? Is it them? Do they really want the job? Am I wasting my time?

When I meet people for the first time, I want the impression that I make to set the tone. I want the first impression that I make to be based on a firm handshake, a confident voice, the fact that I look people in the eye when I both speak and listen, that I am calm and relaxed, and that I am fit. This is how I act every day. They can find out the rest later.

First impressions come and go. When I look at my best staff members, I cannot remember the first impressions that they made. I have no recollection. They must have done something right if I hired them. Regardless, I do remember what they have done recently, especially with regards to their students, our school, their colleagues, and the community. The most recent impressions that they have made on me make them the valued employees that they are.

To me, the most recent impressions that you have made are the ones that count the most. I will remember your latest accomplishments more than I will remember what you did the first time that I met you. Don’t rely on your previous accomplishments. It is important to build on them and create new impressions that will help those around you form an image about who you are today, not who you were yesterday.

Every Day is an Interview

PS – Remember that the first impression that you will make on me is the one that you make on my secretary,  Not only will she call you to set up the interview but she will meet you at the door and direct you to the interview. Don’t mess it up.