"People evaluate everything as they perceive it ... it is all
part of preconscious processing, the mind's perception and
organization of information that goes on before it reaches
awareness. These judgments are lightning fast in the first
moment of contact between the world and the mind. These
instantaneous evaluations create an initial predisposition that
gets things off on a positive or negative footing." Dr. Joseph
Bargh
When you're going for a job interview, or soliciting a new
client, or interacting with the media, or giving a speech it's
good to keep this quote in mind.
It's called "transference" in therapy, and refers to the fact
that people remind us of other people. And the fact that that
happens is something you can't control for. If you happen to
remind the HR Manager of her high school English teacher that
she hated, you have that going against you, and there's no way
to control for that. Which makes it all the more important to
control for what you can. That means take care of the basics:
1. Dress professionally in a way that doesn't distract from you
or what you have to say. Leave the sparkly earrings at home.
Save the perfume for another time.
2. Use what you learned
in the voice makeover. You haven't had a voice makeover? Here's
one source: http://www.voicemakeover.com/. Very important. Who
isn't on the phone all day long these days?
3. Use your EQ.
Treat the person/group with respect. Remember the social
amenities. Shake hands properly--not too hard, not too soft.
Inquire as to how their day is going. Say "good morning" and
"nice to meet you." You know the drill. If you don't, get an EQ
coach.
4. Do your homework. Know your subject matter, know
the company if it's an interview, know the demographics of your
audience if you're going to give a speech or seminar.
5.
Know yourself. The most important part of your homework. You
need to know where your strengths are, what might throw you off,
how you are perceived by others. There's an assessment
you can take that tells you what impressions about you to
correct for in an interview.
6. Appear organized. Notice I
said appear. Being "organized" is a strength you may not
have and it's not a sine qua non for success. But in this
case, make the effort. Be sure papers aren't sticking out the
side of your briefcase, that you can access your business card
smoothly, etc. There's enough stress; get this part under
control.
7. Assume a virtue if you have it not. Ah,
Shakespeare. Well, you need to be yourself, but you also need to
bend a little. If you're speaking to a group that you know are
Democrats, at least don't talk Republican. Save it. If the
prospective client insists their coach/doctor/PR professional
must be "patient," bring out this part of you. Most of us have
all traits available for accessing.
8. Compose yourself
before you go in. Plan to get there early so you can compose
yourself if you had the usual trouble finding the place...
sitter didn't show up...no parking place and you had to walk a
mile...in the rain...bad hair day...cut yourself
shaving...allergies...fight with spouse...visiting
in-laws...indigestion.
9. Don't choke. See my Top 10:
http://www.topten.org/public/AG/AG330.html
10. Remember, no
matter how good you are, no matter how great your expertise, or
what your position is, there are certain immutable laws in the
universe, and one of them is that first impressions really do
count!
Susan Dunn is a coach for personal and professional development,
focusing on strengths, emotional intelligence and inner balance.
Visit her on the web at www.susandunn.cc.
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