First Impression, will it be your last?

Somewhere at some point, we've all heard, "Make a good first impression."  Did you ever think that the first impression you make could be the last impression that someone will want to see? 
While the first impression is usually a visual, how you speak and deal with the interviewer over the phone or in person is just as important.  Think about this, when watching TV, what makes you buy one product over another?  What makes you go to McDonald's over Wendy's, or buy a Toyota over Ford?  In a lot of cases, it's the commercial that sways us one way or the other.  In an interview setting, you are the product versus other products and how you sell yourself is no different than how it's done on TV.

When the interviewer starts the conversation, normally they say, "Tell me a little about yourself." This is your "PC" moment. Your time to shine and open the door (or have it closed on you). As an interviewer, 75% of people give the same answer. "I'm hard working, honest, reliable and dependable." Let's be real, if you had all those qualities, you'd be employed, and they would pay you not to leave. So the task becomes breaking it down to a more realistic (and honest) view of who you are.  Even if it's not far from the truth, let your work speak for itself, find words that set you apart from others.

For the interviewer, seeing a more realistic view of what they are purchasing (you) will give them a better sense of what you can do, will do and how you can be used within the company.  With an interesting opening or first impression, it can actually help the interviewer buy into who you are and ask questions that allow you to better showcase your skills.

What am I suggesting?  I suggest that everyone have a PC (Personal Commercial).  This is about ten to fifteen seconds to effectively sell yourself to someone else. What makes you interesting enough to hold someone's attention and want to find out more about you and what you have to offer.  How do you pull it off?  Some easy steps to get you started. 1. What spark quality do you have that will make someone want to hear what you've got to say?  2. What makes you different than the person who was interviewed before you, or after you?  3. What makes you a stand out in your field of expertise?

Putting together a well thought and yes rehearsed PC will take you above the ordinary to become extra-ordinary and memorable.