Job interviews are anxiety-producing, no matter how many you have under your belt or how long it’s been since you’ve been in the hot seat. You must perform under pressure.

If you view the interview as a single block of time, you will likely be overwhelmed. If you break it down into stages, you can pace yourself. Today, I want to focus on the first stage of the interview, which is breaking the ice.

Simply put, it’s the first impression. On a video call, it’s your appearance, the quality of your video/audio, your office or background, your energy, eye contact, and smile. If you are meeting in person, consider your posture, handshake, and the level of confidence you convey.

The cognitive bias developed by the interviewer in the first few seconds of the interview has been rigorously studied. The research is overwhelming. If you show up strong, the interviewer starts skewing their impression in a positive direction.

Alternatively, if you appear bored, worried, or disinterested, the interviewer may hold that view. They judge your responses harshly and are less likely to ask follow-up questions. If you can’t shine right off the bat, they assume it’s all downhill from there. They don’t want to bring your negativity or lack of commitment into the company.

Here’s the good news. You have the power to make a great first impression 🎉🎉🎉.

You must focus on it:

• Dress for success. Wear professional clothing and be impeccably groomed.
• Push your energy level up, especially if you tend to be quiet or serious.
• Make eye contact in a friendly way, then add a smile.
• Show up with a mixture of warmth and intelligence. Interviewers are attracted to both, but when they are out of balance, it can be a turn-off.

One more thought to motivate you. Most of your competition will not consciously focus on the first impression. They will probably try to look their best, but without the knowledge of the importance of the first few seconds, they will squander the opportunity.

So, be smart. Show up brilliantly and get the momentum rolling in the right direction.