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  • This is how long you have to make a GREAT first impression

    This is how long you have to make a GREAT first impression

    First date? New business meeting? You only have 27 seconds to make a good first impression, according to new research.

    Gay couple
    CREDIT: mast3r-bigstock

    A study among 2,000 Americans examining the art of first impressions found that seven in ten of us (69 percent) form a first impression of somebody before they even speak.

    The research investigated the key contributors and timings to a positive first impression and found that smiling, being polite, smelling nice, being a good listener, and making eye contact number among the leading factors.

    The new survey by Dollar Shave Club was conducted to mark the launch of their cologne collection, Blueprint.

    Results confirmed the importance of smelling good when seeking to form a positive first impression- as 85 percent of respondents said their first impression of somebody will be more positive if they smell good.

    And that goes double when you’re on a date. Things move a bit quicker in the dating world, as six in ten (60 percent) admit they take even less time than normal to form a first impression in a dating context.

    You better impress early, too, as the average person knows within 15 minutes into a date whether they want a second date or not, with half (50 percent) saying it takes even less time than that.

    Quite a bit of prep goes into a first date, it turns out, and it may actually involve Google. If you’ve got a first date lined up, you better hope your online presence is squeaky clean, as two in three Americans say it’s a good idea to search your date online before meeting up.

    Getting ready for a date was also found to take the average person 29 minutes, with one of the most crucial predate steps revealed to be picking out a scent. According to the study, over two in three questioned (68 percent) put a lot of thought into how they smell before a date.

    “We know that a scent speaks volumes, and cologne is the last thing you apply before walking out the door. That’s why we created Blueprint, a range of six amazing colognes that are perfect for every occasion. Our award-winning fragrance team has created a thoughtful selection of colognes you won’t find anywhere else. Whatever your plans, we have a Blueprint,” said Nick Virginio, Senior Brand Development Manager.

    All that preparation can make a real difference to a person’s confidence with nearly every respondent (89 percent) saying they feel more confident when they look and smell good.

    And confidence can go a long way when it comes to dating, as 83 percent of us say they’re more likely to form a good first impression of somebody they perceive as confident.

    But smelling bad, acting arrogantly and dressing poorly were found to be the top reasons people will form a bad first impression of somebody.

    And if you fail to impress early on a date, then it probably won’t last for long. If a date is going poorly the average American will call it quits after just 16 minutes.

    Four in ten of those surveyed (40 percent) admit to having a friend call and fake an emergency to get them out of a miserable date, while 39 percent say they’ve told a date they have to work early in order to cut ties with a bad match.

    TOP 10 CONTRIBUTORS TO FORMING GOOD FIRST IMPRESSION

    1. Smile (53%)
    2. Polite (53%)
    3. Well spoken (49%)
    4. Eye contact (49%)
    5. Good listener (48%)
    6. Smells nice (46%)
    7. Holds conversation well (46%)
    8. Body language (44%
    9. Tone of voice (44%)
    10. Well dressed (42%)

    TOP 3 CONTRIBUTORS TO FORMING A BAD FIRST IMPRESSION

    1. Smells bad (66%)
    2. Arrogant (62%)
    3. Dresses poorly (49%)

    FIRST DATE TIMELINE

    29 minutes to get ready
    27 seconds until first impression is made
    15 minutes until you know if you want a second date
    16 minutes is the earliest the average person has left a bad date
    17 minutes until you know if you want a kiss at the end
    20 minutes until you know if you want to go home with your date

    TOP 5 BAD DATE TURN OFFS

    1. Bad manners (64%)
    2. Poor hygiene (59%)
    3. On the phone too much (53%)
    4. Talking about an ex (53%)
    5. Bragging (52%)

    10 OF THE FUNNIEST LIES AMERICANS HAVE COME UP WITH TO LEAVE A BAD DATE

    ● “My dog sitter has to be home at a certain time.”
    ● “I have a boyfriend.”
    ● “I have poison oak all over the lower half of my body and have to go put ointment on.”
    ● “I have to help someone whose car broke down.”
    ● “I once told my date that I have a dog that is sick. I didn’t own a dog at that time.”
    ● “Left a candle lit at home.”
    ● “My neighbour’s pet needs me.”
    ● “Said I was about to throw up cause of something I ate before.”
    ● “That my sister was going into labour! I don’t even have a sister!”
    ● “Saw an ex in the restaurant.”

  • 5 ways to nail your job interview

    You only get one chance to make a first impression, so when it comes to that all-important job interview, it’s crucial you get it right.

    It’s not about luck – it’s about attention to detail, doing your homework and lots of practice with plenty of time to spare. As the old saying goes, fail to prepare and prepare to fail.

    At Forward Role, we’ve placed thousands of people in jobs across the UK and we’re always on hand to offer our candidates interview advice on the best ways to impress an employer. So, whether you’re looking to get your foot on the career ladder for the first time, hoping for a promotion, or planning to start a fresh challenge somewhere new, here are five of our top tips to help you grab the opportunity with both hands.

    Do your research

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    It seems simple, but far too many people don’t do enough homework before walking into the interview room. Those that take the time to really get to know the company they want to work for, as well as the people working for it, always stand head and shoulders above the rest in the eyes of a recruiter.

    Before your interview, make sure you have a look at the company’s website and try to get a feel for the things they’re involved in. What are their key services, who are they trying to appeal to, and how do they try to portray themselves?

    The company’s online newsroom is a great place to look for clues. There could be new products, investments or community activity that give you a much better grasp of the what they’re all about, so take the time to familiarise yourself with as much of that as possible. The overwhelming majority of brands are on some form of social media too, so have a scroll through their latest feeds to see what they’ve been talking about recently.

    Body language

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    Your body language is an enormous part of that first impression. A study in America by UCLA found that 93 percent of how people form first impressions has nothing to do with words. It was more about facial expressions, appearance, the level of interest they showed and their vocal tone.

    I always tell people to focus on three key things which are smiling, a good amount of eye contact and a firm handshake. Switch on as soon as you leave the house and make sure you’re positive in every conversation you have – that includes the receptionists or other people you might meet in the waiting room. People talk – especially in an office environment – and sometimes what you do outside of the interview room is just as important as what you do in it.

    Practice, practice, practice

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    It might feel awkward, but actually practicing the interview, perhaps with a friend or family member, is a great way to refine your answers. Really think through the kind of questions you’re likely to get asked and have a suite of answers ready to go. Wherever you can, draw upon experiences that relate to the question, so you can demonstrate your capability to do the job. If you’ve only got a limited amount of experience, try to think about things that you’ve done outside of a work environment that might resonate.

    More and more we’re seeing employers ask competency-based questions, especially for entry-level or graduate positions. These are where the interviewers really want to know whether you have the right skills to take the position on. The questions will often require you to give an example of something, and the things the business will be looking for can usually be found within the company values on their website; such as teamwork, problem-solving, responsibility or communication skills. Try to think of a good response on these types of areas before you go in and practice the art of telling them in a way that has impact.

    Be yourself

    This is probably my biggest tip and it might go against what some other recruitment companies say but being true to who you are is always the best approach in my opinion. Your personality and your interests should shine through during an interview and you should never pretend to be someone you’re not. Of course, you want to put the best version of yourself forward. But don’t fake interests or experience because the chances are, the person on the other side of the interview table will see right through it. You obviously need to look the part too – walking into an interview completely under-dressed or looking scruffy will make it really difficult to land the job, no matter how good your personality is.

    I’m a big believer in self-selection. Sometimes, no matter what you may think the job just isn’t right for you and if you don’t get it, perhaps it wasn’t meant to be. Learn from the experience and take that into your next interview. The job of your dreams could be just around the corner.

    Ask questions

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    The vast majority of interviewers like candidates to ask questions. It shows that you’ve really put some thought into the interview and the company and are keen to know more.

    You can cover simple things like “when are you hoping to make a decision” but do try to think a little deeper. Put the interviewer on the spot and ask them what their favourite things are about working for that company. Or if they’re a founder or director, why not ask what motivated them to start-up the business in the first place. You’ll be amazed how well received those types of questions can be.

    If you’re feeling particularly confident, you could even go one step further and ask the interviewer at the end if they think there’s any reason you wouldn’t be a good fit for the role. It gives you an opportunity to tackle any final doubts they may have in their head before you leave the room.

    Tread carefully with this one though and only use it if it feels appropriate. There’s a fine line between confidence and arrogance and you never want to overstep the mark!

    Forward Role is a leading Marketing, Analytics, Digital, Creative and Tech recruitment consultancy based out of Manchester and London. Visit www.forwardrolerecruitment.co.uk for more information.

  • 7 way being tech savvy can make you way more employable

    7 way being tech savvy can make you way more employable

    Could being more tech savvy be the key to a better job?

    6689062 / Pixabay

    Sukh Ryatt, Managing Director at leading intranet software supplier, Oak, tells us how being mindful of our digital footprint could be the key.

    What’s your dream job? A lawyer, an artist, a web developer? Whatever your chosen career path might be, did you know that having a sound understanding of digital markets, and tech-based skillsets can make you a more desirable candidate?

    The fact is that employers are desperately seeking individuals with technical skills outside of their specialisation. Digital skills have become transitional, so much so that every industry requires employees to be ‘tech savvy’ just to understand day to day business operations. If you’re still not convinced, read on to find out exactly how technical understanding makes you more employable, regardless of industry.

    1. Make your CV stand out

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    Including digital skills on your resume will make you stand out, ahead of your non-techy competition. Think you don’t have any digital skills? Think again. Are you computer-literate? Can you use Microsoft Office? If the answer is yes, then you have the digital skills necessary for 99% of jobs. The key to writing a top-class CV is to identify the skills you have and apply them to the role you’re applying for. For example, if you kept a successful blog through Uni, you’ll have good copywriting skills and a comprehensive understanding of site management tools, which instantly makes you a more desirable candidate.

    2. Digital presence = your opportunity

    Almost every company in the UK has some form of digital presence. Regardless of whether it’s an active social media account, a thematic blog, or simply a brochure site, the digital world is roaring with opportunity. Employers are looking to create dynamic workforces, who can contribute more to business operations, and having digital know-how is key.

    3. Be critical

    Every company will be interested to gain feedback about their digital footprint. Make yourself familiar with the company’s online campaigns, prior to interviews and be sure to comment on what you think they’re doing well on and how they could improve. Being critical will highlight your analytical skills, which is vital for any business to thrive.

    4. Businesses want to stay ahead of the game

    The UK is leading the European market when it comes to tech skills and we want it to stay that way. Businesses want to ensure that their employees are well versed in digital aspects to stay ahead of the competition, so they are actively seeking team members who are up to date with the latest technologies, so their business can thrive.

    5. Climb the ladder quicker

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    The bottom line is that all employers will expect their staff to be computer literate, with Millennial business operations relying on technology for everything from conference calls, to documenting sales figures. Regardless of the sector, you’re entering in to, having technical understanding will widen your career options and can significantly increase your rate of progression.

    6. Exceed expectations

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    Transitioning your technical knowledge to the workplace will help you to work more efficiently, freeing up more time to get involved in other projects, that you enjoy working on. Technology has the power to change workplace standards – think flexible working hours and remote days. Not only can you improve your work-life balance, you’ll impress your employers, especially when they see how productive you are.

    7. Trust the stats

    A study conducted by universitiesuk.ac.uk reported that 63% of skill shortage vacancies are a result of candidates lacking technical, practical, or job-specific skills. In fact, it’s said that your chances of employment increased by 25% with the relevant tech abilities and your salary will be an average of 10% higher than your non-technical friends.

    With numbers on side, it’s clear that tech skills are increasingly important to land the career of your dreams. So, embrace your inner geek, nail that interview and fall in love with your new career prospects!