Projecting a professional image comes down to your dress and how you conduct yourself at interview. Professional dress code should always be applied and your confidence will be boosted if you look the part.
From research, in the first few minutes employer’s impressions are based on:
Body language (70%)
Tone of voice (20%)
What you say (10%)
From the moment you walk through the door you will be assessed. The receptionist will sometimes be asked by the employer for their observations, so always be aware.
Once you meet the interviewer with a smile and a firm handshake do break the ice (if the interviewer does not do it first) with some small talk, just to break the ice…such as commenting favorably on the premises. Try not to talk too much if you are following them to the interview room, apart from pleasantries if they are holding doors open for you. It is always awkward to talk to someone’s back and likewise they can walk into desks if they are looking behind them to talk to you!
Once in the room wait to be seated and make sure you are comfortable. When introduced to the interviewers pay particular attention to remembering their names. If they introduce themselves by their first name then do not address then as Mr or Mrs.
Try and relax into the interview and you will be able to answer the questions with confidence.
