IELTS Speaking Part 2: IELTS Cue Card/ Candidate Task Card

Describe your idea of making a good first impression in a job interview

: You should say

why it is important
is it important to make a good last impression as well
what ways would you do it in your job interview
and explain how to make a good first impression in a job interview

: Sample Answer

Thank you for giving me the opportunity to talk to you about how to make a good first impression in a job interview. I will talk about why this is important; things someone can do to help create that perfect ‘first impression’; how to leave the interviewer with a good ‘last impression’ and finally I will wish the success for a job searcher

In a professional situation, first impressions are extremely important. If for example, someone is attending a job interview, he needs to create a good impression as soon as he meets the interviewer. That way the employer is more likely to want to offer him the job

There are many things a candidate can do to help create the best possible impression. For example, being on time! If someone has an appointment, it is important to arrive a few minutes early so that the meeting can start exactly on time. He should make sure he is appropriately dressed. If it is a job interview, it is a good idea to dress smartly. It will help a candidate to feel confident and will make him look more professional. He should also make sure that he is clean and well presented, he should not smell of cigarette smoke. Finally, the candidate must make sure that he does not have anything caught between his teeth! He should look in a mirror before he goes in to make sure he looks OK

The smile helps a candidate to relax and will make him look friendly. In many cultures, it is important to make eye contact with the other person – but a candidate should not stare as it might uncomfortable for the interviewer! For a job interview, it is usual to shake hands. A candidate might want to practice doing this so it will feel natural to him. He should wait for the interviewer to ask him to sit down. When he sits down, he should try to look confident and relaxed, sit back on the chair and thank the interviewers for inviting him in to talk to them. He must not slouch and look too relaxed, but also he should not perch on the front of the seat either – this way, the candidate will look uncomfortable and it will make his interviewers feel uncomfortable too

A candidate will also create a good impression at interview if he has prepared thoroughly for the meeting. He must ensure that he has researched the job and the company. He must be clear about what he can offer them and why he would be good at the job

When he answers questions, he should try to be positive and enthusiastic as well as friendly. He needs to show his personality as well as his skills. At the end of the interview, he needs to think about the last impression he makes on the employer. That way, they will remember the candidate more positively. The candidate should thank the person for seeing him, then stand up, shake hands again and smile as he leaves the room. The candidate wants the interviewer to think as he leaves- what a lovely candidate, I would like him to come and work with me

I hope if a candidate follows this advice it will help him to form a good impression at interviews when he meets people for the first time in a formal environment