Making a good Impression can help you land a job. As you enter the Interview room your first impression will heavily influence whether or not you are in the favourable list of the interviewers. Whatever is the specific situation, you are the candidate there and as a candidate you want to make sure that you are one of the most suitable for the job.
The fact of the matter is that you are required to sell sum total of your skills, education and experience in a convincing manner through the force of your pleasing personality.
Therefore, the tips given below are equally applicable for an “Internal Promotion Interview”, “Interview for Admission to an Academic Course” or any other kind of situation where you will be interviewed by one or more person to check your suitability.

1) Dress appropriately for the Job You Want
Your first interaction shall be non verbal. Before you even utter a word, the interviewer will notice what you are wearing, how you are looking today and what does your dress say about you. Therefore, make sure you look exceptionally smart and yet comfortable and pleasant in what you wear.

It is always recommended that you wear formal pants (not jeans!) which are well ironed with a matching nice shirt that will send out the message to your interviewer that you are taking this interview seriously. If the industry norm and the weather is not against it then you can also wear a tie and a matching formal jacket. If you are girl then you too can wear the same or an equivalent such as skirt. Of course, you should wear well polished formal dressed shoes.

Your appearance can certainly play a part in how you’re first perceived. When you show up in a neatly pressed suit and scuff-less shoes with a portfolio in tow, you’ll present yourself as a professional who is good at taking care of himself and has an eye for details.

Dress for the Job You Want, dress in professional attire as if you were making an important presentation, meeting with a key client, or having lunch with the senior vice president or CEO.

2) The Portfolio Bag or Ladies’ Hand Bag

It is better that you walk in well organised with your documents, a few print outs of your resume, your portfolio, references pictures, certificates writing pad and pen.

Carry all these in a portfolio for a professional look. Make sure that there is no extra material or stuff in your bag and it is not overloaded with unacceptable stuff.

3) Enter smartly and gracefully
First impressions are everything, well almost. So when you enter you should be seen as someone who is smiling, pleasant and confident. Therefore, just when you are asked to go into the room, you should consciously relax your body muscles, pull a genuine smile across your face, inhale deep breaths and exhale slowly – do it three times, inhaling confidence, pleasantness and cheerfulness and exhaling our worries, tensions, anxiety.

Walk gracefully up to the interview room with confident and sure steps, neither fast nor slow, stop at the door. Knock softly and then holding the door knob or door handle open the door half, smile and say “Hello” or “May I”. After you have made an eye contact, walk in and stand on the other side of the table facing the interviewer or interviewers.

4) Greet Formally
When you meet the interviewers, offer to shake his or her hand firmly. A firm handshake is highly impressive and always leaves a lasting impression.

A firm handshake is not too tight and not at all limp is one of the important reflectors of confidence and necessary part of a good body language.

It is always recommended that you shake hands in a standing position. In case of women, let them offer their hand first, this is mark of respect towards them.

5) Right Body Language
It is important that throughout the interview you are smiling, making eye contact at the appropriate times. Sit straight and keep your hands on your lap or on the edge of the table. Keep your arms uncrossed.

Also do not shake your leg unnecessarily – this is the sign of restlessness or nervousness.

6) Get Your Interviewer’s Name Right
Everybody loves his name. Thus build a better rapport with the interviewers and impress them by addressing them by their names such as Mr. So and so or Ms. XYZ. Therefore, getting their names right the first time is very important. This technique is especially helpful if you are meeting someone with an unusual name or if you have difficulty retaining new information.