At first, this question sounds counter to everything job seekers have come to understand about the hiring process. Any activity before the interview, we believe, is merely a prelude to being granted a face-to-face meeting with the hiring manager. And this is when applicants have the opportunity to make the kind of impression that will lead to a job offer.

But that thinking has been challenged recently as recent studies show that creating a good impression before the interview can have a positive influence on the actual meeting. If the interviewer likes you before you even enter the office, the reasoning goes, you stand a much better chance of being hired.

Know what you want

There’s a wonderful song from the mid-80s titled “You Can’t Get What You Want (Till You Know What You Want).” This holds true today as you begin your job search. Make sure you are communicating your expectations to your prospective employer as part of the initial application process. You have a much better chance of securing a position that you really want rather than one that sounds like it might be interesting.

Create a cover letter for a specific job and company

Don’t send out the same cover letter and resume to every company that has a job opening. Tailor your cover letter to a specific job with each company. Let them know why you find this particular position appealing and why you want to work for their company. This is the how you get the hiring manager to like you before the interview takes place.

Don’t attempt to rigidly script the interview

Since you’ve made your good first impression before the interview, all that remains is to conduct yourself capably when you meet with the interviewer. Businesses are looking for workers who can think on their feet and adapt to change. Being able to improvise during your meeting with the hiring manager speaks well of you as a future employee. While it’s okay to have some of your answers scripted, you won’t set yourself apart from the competition if you attempt to script the entire interview.

Need help finding your next job?

Don’t try to tackle this alone. Get in touch with HCR Personnel Solutions, a leading manufacturing recruitment agency in Canada that recruits top professionals for exceptional career opportunities.