Your 7 Seconds of Interview Opportunity

Are you about to embark on a search for a new job? Maybe you feel that you aren't getting the challenge you need in your current position, maybe you want to pursue a path that offers greater training and development opportunities, to spread your professional wings and bolster you CV with deeper and wider experience. You might feel that your current employer isn't rewarding your efforts properly and that you can negotiate a better package elsewhere. Then again, the job you are in right now might simply not be what you want to do. Perhaps it's a job that you have tested the water with but have to conclude that you would be happier in another field, focusing your efforts on a more rewarding area. Whatever the reasons for your new job plans the chances are that you will get the best results by teaming up with a specialist recruitment agency, an agency focused on and experienced in your field.

If you are in the medical sector for example, then you will inevitably get the best new job options by working with specialist nurse employment agencies, doctors recruitment agencies or pharmacy recruitment agencies dedicated to your profession and with a clear understanding of how your skills and experience can best transfer into an interesting and well-rewarded position.

Whoever you choose to work with, be it a general or specialist recruitment agency, the time will come when you will be invited for interview. Great news that your attributes, your qualifications, on paper, have got you in front of a prospective new employer - now to finish the job and get that offer by delivering an impressive interview.

Remember though that when attending interview it's not just what you say that counts. The way you present yourself, your body language is also of crucial importance. Some psychologists believe the way you conduct yourself, the hidden messages and 'tells' you give off in an interview are THE most important aspect of the interview process. The make or break of your application, with the initial 7 seconds of any interview offering you the opportunity to really stake your claim for the job with good positive body language. Conversely, if you're not careful you might also irreparably damage your chances if you get it too wrong.

Here are some of the things to look out for in your first 7 seconds of interview:

1. Attitude. Before you enter the interview make a conscious choice about the way you will interact. Friendly, happy, approachable and curious work best.

2. Eye contact. Do the interviewer the courtesy of looking them in the eye. Make good, strong, friendly eye contact, enough for you to identify the colour of your interviewers eyes. Is there anything more off-putting than someone avoiding eye contact? Practice with friends to make it relaxed and natural.

3. Don't slouch and don't be too erect. Appearing either too relaxed or too uptight will harm your chances of success.

4. Smile. Deliver strong, sincere, smiles. Smiles tell people you are friendly and approachable. Try practicing smiling in a mirror. Research indicates that smiling activates the recipient's reward centres. Maybe you will be rewarded with a job offer.

5. Hand shakes. The quickest and most effective ways to build rapport. According to experts a handshake is equivalent to 3 hours of continuous interaction.

Logan Odell is a freelance author and has the vast knowledge in Employment Agency and Recruitment Agency