15a Four Minutes That Get You Hired To get the right job, learn to make the right impression

Unit 15 Text A Four Minutes That Get You Hired To get the right job, learn to make the right impression The 28-year-old Bay State spent six years working at night while she attended college during the day. When she finally graduated, she wanted to get a teaching possession at a nearby elementary school in Boston. She got an interview with the headmaster after sending a resume. “I noticed a tiny hole in my stockings that morning,” she said. “I thought about changing, but I knew I’d be late if I did. By the time I got to the interview, the hole had stretched from my ankle to my knee. I walked in and immediately apologized for not looking my best. I spent the rest of the time trying to sit in a way that he couldn’t see the hole.” The likely teacher didn’t get that job. In fact, one of her friends told her the headmaster’s only comment was: “If a person doesn’t take the time to present her best image at an interview, what kind of teacher is she going to be?” First impressions are often lasting ones. This means that if you’re viewed positively within the first four critical minutes, the person you’ve met will likely assume everything you do is positive. Four minutes! Studies tell us that are the crucial period in which impressions are formed by someone we’ve just met. Within only ten seconds, that person will begin to make judgments about our professionalism, social class, morals and intelligence. People tend to focus on what they see, on what they hear, and on our actual words. Most employers believe that those who look as if they care about themselves are more likely to care about their jobs. We know “it’s what’s inside that counts,” but research shows that physically attractive people are generally regarded by employers as more intelligent, likable and creditable. Your goal should be to come across in the best possible way – attractive in the way you dress, in your gestures and facial expressions and in your speech. Here’s how to make those four crucial minutes count: Look you best. It signals success. Studies have linked clothing consciousness to higher self-esteem and job satisfaction. Yet many people fail to understand the importance of presenting a professional image. Forget about personal style. At work, your clothes must convey the message that you are competent, reliable and authoritative. Dress for the job you want, not the job you have. If you’re to have an interview at a company you’ve never visited and aren’t sure what to wear, send for a copy of its annual report and study what the employees pictured are wearing, or drop by ahead of time to see how they dress. Monitor your body language. How you move and gesture will greatly influence an interviewer’s first impression of you. In an influential study of communication, psychologist Albert Mehrabian discovered that seven percent of any message about our feelings and attitudes comes from the words we use, 38 percent from our voice, and a surprising 55 percent from our facial expressions. In fact, when our facial expression or tone of voice conflicts with our words, the listener will typically put more weight on the nonverbal message. To make your first encounter a positive one, start with a firm handshake. If the interviewer doesn’t initiate the gesture, offer your hand first. Whenever you have a choice of seats, select a chair beside his or her desk, as opposed to one across from it. If you must sit facing the desk, shift your chair slightly as you sit down, or angle your body in the chair so you’re not directly in front of your interviewer. Monitor your body language to make sure you don’t seem too desperate for the job, or too eager to please. Good eye contact is also important. One study found that job applicants who make more eye contact are perceived as more careful, dependable, confident and responsible. Say what you mean. Make the first favorable impression by making your words consistent with your body language and appearance. If they are in conflict, your mixed messages are bound to confuse your interviewers. Open and close your conversation in a positive tone. For example, if you’ve studied the company’s annual report – and you should have! – consider remarking on any great progress the company has made within the past year, or cite an area of company involvement that interests you. When you leave, summarize why you’re the best candidate for the job and thank the person for his interest. Use a person’s name when talking. It’s the best way to get – and keep – his or her attention. And avoid verbal confusion. As business consultant Marian Woodall says: “Poor communicators tend to talk in paragraphs. Successful communicators tend to talk in short sentences.” Ask questions. Too often when people meet, they feel uncomfortable about what to say after the introductions. Almost everyone likes to be asked questions, so don’t be afraid to be the initiator. Finally, there is the matter of how you speak. Any voice coach will tell you that you can learn to sound more relaxed and more confident. One good technique is to record your voice on tape. “As you play it back, pay attention to voice tones that sound apologetic, tentative, meek or imploring,” recommends management and communication consultant Norma Carr-Ruffino. As Christopher Lasch states in his book The Culture of Narcissism: “Nothing succeeds like the appearance of success,” so take advantage of those first four crucial minutes. Look your best speak and move with confidence – and the job you want can be yours.