VALUABLE POINTS TO MAKE A GOOD IMPRESSION IN AN INTERVIEW OR A MEETING

Every person – irrespective of his/her profession – should make a good impression while participating in a meeting or attending an interview.  The following are the basic points a professional should know.

1.    DRESS FORMERLY:

The dress you wear speaks volume about you. So, dress formerly – avoid loud, fancy or gaudy colors.  The point is this:  you should be comfortable in your dress when speaking or engaged in a conversation. Wearing strong perfumes and dressed in garish clothes will be a distraction.

2.    COME PREPARED:

Always come prepared. If you think you can get a quick update from your colleague on the way to office, chances are you are probably going to end up missing few important points.

3.    MAINTAIN EYE CONTACT:

It is bad manners if you don’t look in the eye of an interviewer or at the members in a meeting.  Making eye contact shows you are confident and polite.  You will be sending wrong signals about you if you don’t maintain eye contact.  Start a smile while you make an eye contact, with your eyes crinkling and your cheeks rising.  You are beautiful when you smile.

  

4.    SPEAK CLEARLY:

Speak politely, confidently and clearly.  Don’t intimidate others with the way you speak.  Use simple, understandable words – avoid jargons and slangs. Don’t be too aggressive if you disagree with someone.  Express your ideas, thoughts, or feelings clearly and politely.   Don’t speak or stumble over your words.  Use natural pauses while you speak.

5.    ALLOW OTHERS TO SPEAK:

Don’t rudely interrupt anyone in a meeting or the interviewer. Even if you don’t agree with a person don’t interrupt her/him.  Allow others to speak first. If you have a valid point, wait for your turn and then say it out clearly. If the meeting is about an issue that has to be resolved analyze the problem and offer your solution. Don’t force anyone to accept your views.

6.    LISTEN CAREFULLY TO OTHERS:

Speak less and listen more – no one likes a blabber mouth. Pay attention while others are speaking. If you want to say something, make sure what you say has value for the meeting, to the speaker, and for you.  Listening more will make coherent discussion and you will get involved in the group positively, and this will make people agree with you.

7.    DON’T HOLD PRIVATE CONVO AND TURN OFF THE CELLPHONE:

Talking to someone (your colleague) while the meeting is in progress is downright disrespectable.  So, avoid having a private conversation with your friends or colleagues.  If you want to talk to your colleague, wait until the meeting is over.  Also, turn off your mobile phones or put it in a silent mode. If you really have to pick up a call in case of emergency excuse yourself and continue the conversation outside the meeting area.

8.    MAKE SURE TO BRING THE DISCUSSION ON TRACK:

If you are deviating from the topic or goal, simply take initiative to bring the meeting or discussion on the track.  Try and stick to the topic or discussion at hand and, bring the meeting to a conclusion with all the objectives met.

9.    DON’T REVEAL WHAT TRANSPIRED:

Don’t break the confidence of your manager or boss by revealing the matter discussed to outsiders or friends or colleagues. No one calls for a meeting just for fun. So, if the

information discussed is sensitive or classified then make sure it stays inside the discussed area.

  

10.  TAKE NOTES:

Sometimes it so happens that we forget or don’t remember what happened in a meeting. If that happens, set up a meeting with your boss or colleague immediately and clear the doubts. Taking notes shows you are attentive, interested, and focused. Make sure you take notes on a paper, don’t use laptops.