5 tips for a successful job interview in the first 5 minutes

1. Remember that the interview starts as soon as you leave the house

The job interview begins long before you shake hands and sit down at the table. You never know who you will meet when you get off the bus or train or enter the company building - it could be that your interviewer is standing in the same queue at the coffee bar as you. So make sure that you present a friendly, confident and professional appearance from the very first moment.    

You have undoubtedly made sure that you arrive early. Give yourself a rest and make sure you've had enough to drink. Have a chat with the receptionist, turn off your phone and take in your surroundings - you may notice something that will be a useful small talk topic later. Don't try to squeeze in any facts at the last minute - you want to come across as calm and organized, not excited and unprepared.     

2. Treat everyone you meet as if they were your conversation partner  

Make sure you are polite and friendly to everyone you meet during the interview. From being greeted by the receptionist, to the people you share the elevator with, to walking through an open plan office to reach your meeting room... These are all touch points with your potential future employer, and employees will often share their impressions of visitors afterwards, so you want everyone who comes into contact with you to see you in the most positive light possible.  

3. Create a strong first impression   

First impressions count, and non-verbal cues are even more important than verbal ones. So in the first few minutes, it's important to smile confidently, shake hands firmly, make eye contact and generally look like you're happy to be there and want the job. Lean forward slightly, draw your eyebrows together slightly and wait until you are asked to sit down. Show energy, enthusiasm and interest in everything you do.      

Try to match your style of dress to that of the company you are interviewing with. Check the company's website and social media for a good overview of the company's typical dress code, especially the work culture. You want to exude personality and charisma, but you also want to look like you would fit in well with the company.    

4. Be ready for small talk 

If you get the small talk right (or wrong), it can have big consequences. This is how people build rapport and likeability and begin to create that elusive, intangible quality of "chemistry" that characterizes all effective business relationships. 

When preparing for a job interview, it is therefore advisable to think of some possible topics in advance to ensure that the interview goes smoothly. The most important thing is to come up with topics that you have a common interest in so that you can ask and answer credible questions.      

For example, if you see a picture of your conversation partner's family, you can perhaps ask about them - and share an anecdote from your own family. Or if you are a sports fan and recognize signs that your conversation partner is one, you could perhaps ask a suitable question to which you also have an interesting answer ready ("Do you ever go to the games?", "And who will win the cup this year?" etc.).    

Also think about current topics. For example, has your potential employer been in the news recently? Or could you ask about the possible impact of a recent development on the company, e.g. Brexit, falling share prices or a serious malware attack? In any case, make sure that you can also contribute an interesting thought of your own.    

5. Be on the ball right from the start 

Politicians who are trained to deal with the media are always advised to formulate a maximum of three key messages that they should stick to and repeat throughout the interview.    

Similarly, it is a good idea to make two or three key statements about what you have to offer and what you are looking for - for example: "I am ready for the challenge of leading a team", "I combine compliance experience with technical expertise", "In my career, I have developed extensive skills in the field of digital transformation". These are the three most important points you want your interviewer to remember. So try to incorporate them as naturally as possible, even in the first few minutes.   

Try to formulate your key points in such a way that your experience brings a concrete benefit to the company you are applying to.  

Source: www.robertwalters.ch