Power of the First Impression

I had just finished up my first interview. I was looking around for my 5:30 admissions interview when I saw the girl I thought I was supposed to interview walk into the coffee shop. I must have been wrong though, since she avoided all eye contact--with anyone--as she retreated to the coffee bar to order. 

I waited a few minutes to see if anyone else would come in. When no one did, I decided to approach the girl I'd seen earlier, who'd retreated by then to a table in the far corner of the shop.

"Hi, are you (let's call her Amber), by chance?" I asked, walking up to her table.

"Um, yes," she said, refusing to look up. Her eyes darted around and finally came to rest on her glass of water.

"Great! I'm CJ -- I'm your interviewer," I said, extending a hand.

She looked up like I'd just slapped her, and after a few seconds decided that she couldn't avoid shaking hands. Her handshake was moist and frail. I was afraid I was going to break her hand. She mumbled what I thought must have been a greeting.

"I'm at a table on the other side of the shop, but let me grab my things and I'll join you," I said, already looking for a way to end the interview quickly.

Ding.

Advice

What's the old cliche in sales? "You only great one chance to make a first impression"? That's never been more true than in your college admissions interview.

Let's face it, your college interviewer is busy--they may be interviewing a dozen applicants--and they're human. We all make snap judgments of people based on a first impression, and it should only be expected that your college interviewer will do the same. Maybe--maybe--you can claw your way back from a bad first impression (for the record, the applicant above didn't), but why dig yourself a hole that you have to climb out of?

Particularly when the bar for a good first impression (we'll talk "great" in a second too) is relatively easy. At the risk of sounding like your mom for a second, in order to make a good first impression, make sure you:

• Dress neatly. I've already covered what to wear here, but whatever you decide to go with, try to be put together. Don't wear anything too wrinkled. Avoid anything with food stains. Just be put together.
• Make eye contact. Volumes have been written on the language of body language, and one key element is good eye contact. Avoid eye contact and you look afraid, uncomfortable and nervous (at best). Making eye contact with your college interviewer signals that you're confident, comfortable, approachable and friendly--all qualities you want to convey. 
• Smile. There's no simpler way of making someone like you than to smile at them. 
• Offer a good handshake. No need to crush your college interviewer's hand in a vise-like grip or anything, but don't offer up a limp fish. Take your college interviewer's hand firmly and shake it like you're happy to see them. 
• If you're seated, stand up. This is a basic manner's thing, but more than anything else, it's awkward to greet someone who's towering over you if you're sitting down. Stand up, greet, then offer them a seat.
• Greet your interviewer by name. Not "Bob" or "Grace", but a "Great to meet you, Mr. Turner" goes a long way.
  

So how do you put the basics together? If you're at the meeting location first and you spot your interviewer as they walk in, first make eye contact. If they hold your eye contact and acknowledge you--smile, nod at you, wave--then they're probably your interviewer. When they walk over, stand up, offer a hand, smile while looking them in the eyes, and say something pleasant, like "Are you Mrs. _____? Great, I'm ______, your 4:30 interview. I'm so happy to meet you!"

Sound simple? It really is--no one should mess this up, but about 20% of the college applicants I interview do. 

How do you go from "good" to "great"?

There's probably a dozen ways to make a "great " first impression in your college interview, but the easiest way? Be energetic and enthusiastic.

I'm not talking about being some over-the-top, hyper-caffeinated Bring It On reject--just show a higher level of energy and excitement in your interview than you otherwise might. This shows your college interviewer that you're eager and interested in attending his or her school, which gives you a leg up on other applicants who don't seem to care.

Also--and more importantly--enthusiasm is contagious. If you show excitement and enthusiasm, your interviewer will also feel excited and enthusiastic. And what do they have to be excited about? Easy--your application!

I don't think any of this is rocket science, but it's the little things that separate college applicants--and super-simple things, like making a good first impression, are so easy that there's no excuse if you flub it.  -----CJ