Initial Contact

This is the simple but important part, walk into the room and shake the persons hard firmly ideally applying the same pressure as they are doing.  Look the person in the eye, smile and greet them by saying their name e.g. ‘Hi Peter it’s very nice to meet you’ Then sit down at the same time as the other person does or wait for them to tell you to take a seat.  The reason for this is that this is ‘manners’ and will give you a positive image right at the start of the interview.  If you are already sat down in the interview room waiting for the interviewer to come in when they do come in stand up to greet them, do not remain seated in the chair as this can be seen as disrespectful, you want to present a positive image which anyone can do regardless of their background.  Also before you meet the person just think in your mind that you are going to like this person, if psychologically  you think this way you will project a much stronger and warmer image to the other person.

Summary for Initial Contact

• Think ‘I am going to like this person’
• Firm hand shake
• Smile 
• Look the person in the eye 
• Greet them using the person’s name 
• Stand up if you are already sat down when the person enters the room to greet them
• Sit back down when they sit down or invite you to sit down.