Judgements and the interview------IT HAPPENS

We are all told that we shouldn't judge other people.  

Well...we all do it.  It’s human nature and judging is at its peak during a job interview.  

The first impression you make is being judged against all other candidates applying for the same job from the moment you arrive in the building to the time you leave.

So, let's explore that first impression and the judgment that goes along with it.  

Professionals who study first impressions have long believed that upon first meeting a new person we make up our minds about them in just the first two minutes.  Others believe the first impression is made and solidified anywhere from two seconds to thirty seconds.  Princeton psychologists, Willis and Todorov presented a series of experiments in an issue of Psychological Science that revealed it only takes one-tenth of a second to form an impression of a stranger simply from their face!  

Wow!  Isn't that horrifyingly quick!

Ok, so the first impression and initial judgment happens quickly.  This is a fact.  

What is also important to recognize is that though you are being judged, you also will be assessing the first impression and judging the hiring manager sitting in front of you.  We cannot stop our natural inclination to make these automatic judgements.  

The very popular book, Blink: The Power of Thinking Without Thinking by Malcom Gladwell explains how we actually think without thinking, making unconscious snap judgements that are dependent on thin slices of an experience.

Whenever we encounter a new person or situation we bring to it all of our beliefs, attitudes, values, experiences (both good and bad) as well as our education.  All of these elements are riding quietly beneath the surface of these first interactions unconsciously guiding us to our judgment. This impacts our personal relationships as well as our work situations.  

So, when you walk into the interview room you are being judged on the hiring managers past life experiences.  

Yuck, right?  

Let's hope that the hiring manager is self-aware enough to be able to consciously attempt to place all candidates on a somewhat level playing field.  

How unnerving this situation of absolute judgment is.  You have no control as you sit naked in your vulnerability facing this stranger.  He is sizing up your character, trustworthiness and capabilities based on the this "one snapshot" in time.  All you can do is accept this fact with an open mindset while presenting your best possible self.

So how can you improve your chances with this first impression judgment?  

Harvard Business School psychologist, Amy Cuddy believes that when people first meet you, they want two questions answered:  Can I trust this person and can I respect this person? (Respect translates to competence in this context.)  

Of these two questions, Cuddy believes the trust question is the more important.  It is primal to our survival to be able to trust someone as opposed to whether they can perform competently.

The good news is that you can show a hiring manager you are both trustworthy and competent.  

Your interview coach will instruct you how to prove your trustworthiness by helping you express specifics rather than generalities in your interview responses.  The coach will also assist you with demonstrating your core competencies through proper communication and construction of your "example" stories as well as the thoroughness of the documentation you will be presenting.  

You will be judged on every aspect of your first impression.  There is absolutely nothing you can do about how tall you are or how attractive you may or may not be.  Honing your interview skills with your interview coach and being your most confident will get you prepared to prove yourself to the hiring manager.  

You may not be able to control the interviewer’s judgements of you but you can control your interview preparation.