Back to: Language for interviewing
The first impression you make on interviewers will probably influence their final decision. Unfortunately, many job candidates fail to prepare for this stage of the interview and the results can be disastrous.
You can make a good first impression by greeting the interviewer with a firm handshake, a warm smile and eye contact. As in all cultures, it is important to give the appropriate response to the greeting.
Sample greeting (formal)
In a formal interview, the interviewer may greet you like this:
| Interviewer | You must be Melanie Egger. How do you do? I'm Paul Jones. I'll be interviewing you today. |
| Response | How do you do, Mr Jones? NOT I'm fine, thanks. |
Sample greeting (less formal)
Some interviewers may greet you more informally:
| Interviewer | Hello. It's Frank Schmidt, isn't it? Hi, Frank. I'm Paul Jones. I'll be interviewing you today. |
| Response | Hello. Pleased to meet you, Mr Jones. NOT How do you do? |
As a rule, we mirror basic greetings in the following way:
| Interviewer | You |
| How do you do? | How do you do? |
| Pleased/nice/glad to meet you. | Pleased/nice/glad to meet you. |
| Hello/Hi | Hello. |
If you have met before (at a job fair for example), the interviewer may greet you with "How are you?" A suitable response is "Fine, thanks." or "Very well, thanks."
Although you may find it strange to be greeted by your first name at an interview, this is not uncommon in English-speaking countries. However, wait until the interviewer invites you to call him or her by his or her first name:
| Interviewer | Hello. It's Bettina Moritz, isn't it? Hi, Bettina. I'm Sally Dawson. I'll be interviewing you today. |
| Candidate | Hello. Pleased to meet you, Ms Dawson. |
| Interviewer | Oh, please call me Sally. |
TIPS! Greetings and introductions
- Say the name of the person you are greeting. It sounds polite and friendly – and people like hearing their own name. But remember: only address the interviewer by his or her first name if they invite you to.
- Don't forget to smile and make eye contact with the interviewer!
