10 Ways to Make a Terrible First Impression
Virtual interviewing don’ts during the pandemic
Most people have a sense for what to do during a job interview. It’s common to signal confidence, giving a firm handshake if you’re in person.
But like many other aspects of life, the interviewing process has changed up over the course of the pandemic — many initial meetings now taking place virtually, where technology hiccups, background noises and daily living may add unexpected interruptions.
Here’s some things not to do, if you’re making a first impression.
Turn off all the lights. Start the call with a flashlight under your chin, as the shadows help hide your wrinkles. This helps reduce age bias for interviewers while giving you a memorable ominous vibe.
If using a green screen, wear green. Channel your inner Wizard of Oz and intimidate your interviewer with a booming voice and fire-y special effects.
ONLY TYPE IN ALL CAPS. PASSION AND EXCITEMENT ALLOW YOU TO STAND OUT. Bonus: this fits well with the Wizard of Oz theme.
Look professional but only from the waist upward. Deliberately get up from your chair so everyone knows how you’re really living when the doorbell rings. It’s been an eternity since you’ve spoken to someone in person…
