I was thinking about how quickly audiences and judges size up contestants on talent-oriented reality shows. Turns out, job interviewers are doing the same thing.
An email from one of my job networking groups quotes a hiring manager as saying that she gets a positive or negative attitude about a candidate within the first minute of the interview. Appropriate dress, a firm handshake and eye contact will make a good first impression, according to the article.
Maybe an interviewer can't get past a bad first impression, but it's a good thing the talent shows can. Otherwise, some gifted people might have missed their shot at stardom. Look at Clay Aiken, who ended up taking second place a few years back on "American Idol." Thank goodness the judges looked past his geeky appearance. Behind it was a wonderful voice. And of course, there's Susan Boyle from the British version of "America's Got Talent." She didn't look like a rock star, but she sure could sing.
There seems to be another factor at work in both auditions and interviews -- how much people like the person who is being evaluated. The confident performers are more endearing than the arrogant ones, especially if the arrogant ones give lousy performances.
I guess the best plan is to make a great first impression and then give a memorable performance. Having Paula Abdul there wouldn't hurt either.
I think making a smashing first impression has been a challenge for me. The networking events are helping me overcome a lot of my introvertedness, though!
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