Beyond the “First Impression”

Do a Google search for “how to get a job” and you’ll be struck by a great number of “how tos” full of advice about how to succeed in your next interview. This is all helpful stuff, however much of it is a statement of the obvious. For instance, you’ll often see repeated this little nugget of advice: make a good first impression.

Of course it is important to make a good first impression, this is common sense. It is also easily achieved, and as long as you look smart and not too nervous, you’ll probably make a fine impression.  The fact is, there is much more to getting a job than good presentation. The job market is more competitive than it has ever been and so competition for jobs is really tough.

For employers this is great news. Competition breeds better candidates, and so the tougher they can make the application process the better the class of employee at the end of it. For jobseekers, a tougher application process can be daunting, however it needn’t be. If you are the right candidate you will be prepared to rise up and meet the challenge.

“Prepared” is the word. Making sure you are ready for the particular kind of assessment that your potential employer uses is the key. Many employers use online aptitude tests in the form of a psychometric test. A psychometric test can take many forms, and so, if possible, you should find out which your potential employer is using, and practise accordingly.

Tags: , , ,

Leave a Reply