After the arduous application process, there you are face-to-face with your recruiter to convince them you are what they want.  

   This first encounter will help your recruiters shape a mental idea of who you are through what you say, what you do not say, what you wear, what you do, and how you do it. 

   Your pile of credentials and ample experience will not be useful if you do not take advantage of your soft skills and non-verbal language. It is desirable to use everything at hand to leave an impression when conveying your thoughts. 

Some things you should not do in a job interview

[1] Do not spoil the first impression.

   Arriving in a rush, looking sloppy or annoyed -maybe because you did not find a right parking spot-, will not play in your favor. The same applies if you try too hard.

   Consider that the first ten seconds are fundamental because you will prepare the path for them to listen to you and trust you. 

[2] Do not Underestimate your Body Language.

   Non-verbal communication is as important as words.  Be aware of how you express yourself. Study how you move. Do you walk too fast or too slowly? Do you keep your shoulders forward or backward? Do you maintain eye contact? Do you move your hands too much? Do you grimace? Make sure the story that comes out of your mouth fits the one your body is telling.

[3] Do not Dress Unprofessionally or Overdress.

   Your attire tells more than you think. How you dress and groom yourself will help you leave a good impression.

   However, do not get too fancy or over-enthusiastic about your attire. To get a better idea of what to wear, research the institution dress code, and try to stick to it.

   Underdressing or overdressing may both be distracting for your recruiter to lose focus on what you have to say.

[4] Do not go unprepared.

   You cannot arrive empty-handed. It would help if you had your phone or tablet prepared with easy access to your documentation and printed materials, such as resumes and recommendations. Also, research the university and department to avoid questions that are already answered somewhere. Being prepared will also help you fight your anxiety and nerves.

[5] Do not look presumptuous.

   Take responsibility and recognize that you are a human being and, consequently, you make mistakes. You do not want to look like a school kid blaming your classmates or your teacher for your mistakes. It is crucial to show that you are a good learner from a bad experience and how you would approach conflictive situations in the future.

[6] Do not be late.

   On no account, you can let yourself be late on your first meeting with your employer. It not only means your lack of respect for their time, but you are also setting a precedent on your behavior. Give yourself extra time to arrive in time; around 10 minutes will be sufficient.

[7] Do not appear negativist.

   Sometimes, when aiming at modesty, we sound negativist. Do not sabotage yourself and decimate your own story. Remember that you were not lucky with some projects. You worked hard for it. A project that was a complete failure was, in fact, an opportunity to learn about different approaches for the future, etc.

   Think about the half-full when giving your answers.

[8] Do not overlook your verbal communication.

   Finally, you got the so much wanted interview. You are so excited that you cannot avoid talking. Well, you should. Do not interrupt your interviewer. Listen carefully and choose the words to answer, so you do not sound unprofessional.

Also, leave discussions on salary, vacations, and benefits for later. These are not issues you should address in the first interview.

Hispanic Outlook’s Job Board allows applicants to search for jobs by category, by city and by state.  Both Featured and Latest Job Positions are available at https://hispanicoutlookjobs.com/ 

And for employers, Hispanic Outlook’s Job Board offers a wide variety of posting options.  Further information is available at https://hispanicoutlookjobs.com/employer-products/