Weekly Newsletter Vol. 51

Making a Lasting Impression: The Power of a Warm Greeting and More

Weekly Newsletter Vol. 51 - August 21, 2024

Generating your Lead Story…

Making a Lasting Impression: The Power of a Warm Greeting and More

First impressions can make all the difference. While your resume and qualifications may have secured the interview, the way you present yourself in person often determines whether you'll be remembered positively. One simple yet impactful way to start on the right foot is by warmly greeting the staff at the company when you arrive. Here’s why this small gesture is so important and three additional tips to ensure you make a lasting, positive impression.

The Importance of Greeting the Staff

From the moment you walk into the office, you are being observed—not just by the hiring manager, but by everyone you interact with. A friendly greeting to the receptionist, security personnel, or anyone else you encounter reflects your respect, professionalism, and social awareness. These individuals are often asked for their impressions of candidates, so making a positive connection with them can indirectly influence the hiring decision. A warm, genuine greeting sets the tone for your interview and demonstrates that you value everyone at the company, not just the decision-makers.

3 Other Tips for Making a Great Impression

Do Your Homework: Showing that you’ve thoroughly researched the company not only impresses your interviewers but also shows that you’re genuinely interested in the role. Understanding the company’s mission, values, recent projects, and challenges allows you to tailor your responses and questions, making the conversation more engaging and relevant. It also signals that you’re proactive and take your career seriously.

Dress for the Job You Want: Your attire is one of the first things people notice about you. Dressing appropriately for the company’s culture demonstrates that you understand and respect their environment. It’s always better to err on the side of being slightly overdressed than underdressed. When in doubt, opt for business professional attire unless you know the company has a more casual dress code.

Excerpt from Recruitment Made Easy's career eBook, Getting Hired: The 10-Step Guide.

Follow Up with a Thoughtful Thank-You Note: After the interview, sending a personalized thank-you note is a crucial step that many candidates overlook. A well-crafted note expressing your appreciation for the opportunity, highlighting key points from the interview, and reiterating your enthusiasm for the role can reinforce your candidacy and leave a lasting impression. It shows that you are considerate and detail-oriented—qualities that any employer would value.

Excerpt from Recruitment Made Easy's career eBook, Getting Hired: The 10-Step Guide.

You can’t make this stuff up

(*Disclaimer: these are real experiences provided by RME's community of job seekers and hiring managers)

“Nearly 20 years ago, I went to an interview and noticed right away that the receptionist seemed to be having a rough day. She wasn’t friendly, didn’t acknowledge my presence, and generally seemed disengaged. Sensing this, I politely inquired if everything was okay and offered her some professional advice. I asked, "Do you know how important your job is?" She responded, "What do you mean? No one even notices I’m here." I explained that everyone notices her, and that’s exactly the point. I told her, "You’re the first person everyone sees, and your mood sets the tone for everyone else—whether it’s coworkers or clients. You have the power to make the first and last impression of the day. Don’t forget that." Unbeknownst to me, the CEO overheard our conversation. He later told me that they had been trying to help her come out of her shell since her first day and that it took a stranger to finally make her see her own value. I was subsequently offered the job as VP of HR.”

- Barry Wohl, President of The Wohl Group

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Find your next job with: The Wohl Group

As strategic recruiting specialists, The Wohl Group offers a full range of recruiting and consulting services for businesses and hiring managers. We strive on a daily basis to provide each client and candidate we speak with the best resources for the hiring process.

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Learn more about RME

With over 13 years of industry experience and expertise, Matthew Wohl founded Recruitment Made Easy in order to provide transparency to the recruitment process, and to be the voice that "says what you're thinking" when job seekers & hiring managers are not at liberty to do so.

RME's mission is to help people grow their careers by providing a raw, relatable, and resourceful perspective on the recruitment process. We strive to create a community that will help bring change to the recruitment industry for the better.

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