It’s important to introduce yourself by your name and a short story about yourself and your professional experience. Rather than simply memorizing your resume, you can start by filling in the following script:
“Hello. I am Jane Smith. I have come to the world of Human Resources because I was always interested in Learning & Development and working with people. In fact, my first HR role was as an L&D specialist at ABC; then I was promoted/moved/etc.”
Prepare your story as an interesting narration, not a simple rehearsal of your CV.
Dress Appropriately
You want to be comfortable and confident when you go into the interview. That being said, you also want to ensure you have dressed appropriately for the position. This means wearing clothes that fit well and suit your personality. You don’t need to be afraid of wearing something different or colorful–just make sure it fits well and shows off who you are as a person!
Be on Time
Arrive on time. Show the interviewer that you respect their time by arriving early, allowing for traffic and other delays. Arriving early will also give you a chance to get a feel for the company, making it easier for you to relax during the interview. If possible, arrive 10-15 minutes before your scheduled appointment–this shows that you are organized and reliable.
Interview Behavior and Communication
- Be polite. You’re going to meet a lot of people during the interview process, and it’s important that you show them respect at all times. Never forget that they are doing their best at their jobs, too!
- Be attentive. Make sure you listen carefully when someone is talking and let them know that you understand what they have said by nodding or making eye contact with them when they finish speaking, etc…
- Respectful: Always be respectful towards everyone who works in the office environment (even if they are not directly involved with interviewing). This includes cleaning up after yourself as well as being mindful of others’ time so as not to waste theirs while waiting around unnecessarily between interviews/appointments etc…
Show Your Appreciation
It’s a good idea to thank your interviewer for their time. You can do this in person, or you can send an email following up on the interview with something like: “I want to thank you again for taking the time out of your day to meet with me today. I was impressed by what I learned about [company]. I am looking forward to hearing back from you soon.”
You should also make sure that all your questions have been answered before leaving the meeting (or at least make sure there are no more questions left hanging). If there is anything else that needs clarification, ask now–it’s better than having them pop up later when it could be too late!
In order to make a good impression during the interview, you need to know how to present yourself. This means that you should dress appropriately and be polite and respectful at all times. It also helps if you have some knowledge of etiquette or protocol as it applies in this situation (for example, shaking hands when introduced).
