The Significance of the “15 Seconds”

Historical statistics from numerous studies indicate that experienced H.R. employees and successful employment recruiters typically only have about 15 seconds to decide if a resume is worth reading and analyzing in its entirety. Because of time constraints, H.R. employees and expert recruiters have little choice but to accept this unfortunate reality. This means that your 15 seconds should be a “home run” for you.

A face-to-face encounter at an employment interview – much like at a social setting or in a personal introduction – typically involves the same amount of time, often even less. The first impression you make can dramatically help or hurt your future with a prospective employer.

Also, the components involved in the first impression response are as much sub-conscious as they are conscious. For example, arriving late for an interview or being improperly dressed are external displays that usually hurt the first impression response of an interviewer. More subtle triggers such as body language can also register positively or negatively, even though the interviewer may be consciously unaware of this effect.

Therefore, the “15 seconds” is important from all perspectives. You need to maximize your positive first impression to help you perform well during the rest of the interview. Here are five tips to help you maximize your 15-second snapshot:

Five Tips to Maximize Your “15 Seconds” to Get the Job You Want

First impressions, regardless of how shallow and unfair they may appear to be, are critical to success in both professional and personal situations. Here are some proven suggestions to give yourself the best chance to make a winning first impression.

1. NEVER be late. There is no acceptable reason to ever be late for an interview or any important meeting. In fact, try to arrive at least 10 to 15 minutes early for an employment interview. This gives you the opportunity to find the office or conference room in which you're expected, make a fast visit to the restroom for a final “check” or spruce-up, and a chance to make a positive impression on any support staff you might encounter.
   
   
2. Smile. Simple? Obviously. Important? No – critical . The absolute power of a smile is often underestimated and usually downplayed or misunderstood. This is a key component of maximizing your 15 seconds.
   
   
3. Groom and dress properly. Sure, this is superficial, but it's critical for making a positive first impression. Compare this to watching a 15- to 25-second promotion for a new movie that's coming to your local theater. These snippets are constructed to a) give you an idea of what the movie is about, and b) motivate you to see it. Impeccable grooming is your movie trailer opportunity to motivate your interviewer to want to see the “whole package.” Remember, even though more companies are relaxing workplace dress rules, unless you're specifically advised otherwise by your recruiter or the company, dress as though you're interviewing for the CEO position at a Fortune 200 company.
   
   
4. Project confidence and comfort. An important job interview will almost certainly cause you to feel anxious, uncertain, and nervous; however, try to learn to project confidence in your 15 seconds, even if you don’t really feel this self-assurance. A firm (but not bone-crushing) handshake, your winning smile, and the appearance of self-confidence can often set a positive tone for the remainder of your interview. Actually, all veteran interviewers are fully aware of a candidate’s anxiety, so your display of confidence can be even more impressive.
   
   
5. Exhibit “positive” body language. While the first four tips help you on a conscious level, this component typically affects the sub-conscious attitude of your interviewer. Your good first impression should persist throughout the entire interview, so learn the classic positive and negative body language signals. Practice and internalize the positive and consistently avoid the negative.

Your 15 seconds is incredibly important, right or wrong. Hundreds of different studies have shown that it is extremely difficult to reverse the decisions created by a first impression. This is both the good and bad news. If you make a wonderful first impression in your 15 seconds, your positive appraisal should continue throughout the interview, even if you're a bit “off your game” that day. But, be aware that, should you make a negative first impression, you will face a difficult challenge in reversing this condition during your meeting. Use your 15 seconds to start your interview as a winner.