60 SECOND IMPRESSIONS

99% of the time, I am going to make a decision on whether I can sell you to my client in the first 60 seconds of meeting you, sometimes less.

• Don't ring me for directions on how to get to my office. Google Maps / whereis.com / 12456 - anything is better than letting me know you don't understand how to navigate the unfamiliar.

• Make sure your hair was cut recently and your nasal hair is non-existent or at least tucked away in its appropriate passage.

• Don't be early to our scheduled interview. More than 10 mins early is as unattractive as being late.

• Take your sunglasses off your head, don't smoke a cigarette in the hour preceding our meeting and remove anything from your mouth or face that was not attached to your body when you came into the world.

• Wear deodorant/aftershave/perfume, but not enough that I can smell it before I see you.

• You should be wearing a corporate suit and I should not be able to see your toes.

• Don't be on your phone when I greet you. Or if you are, hang up immediately as I approach.

• Shake my hand - firmly. Even though I'm female and you're male. Or you're female and I'm female. And make some eye contact whilst you're doing it.

• Accept the water/tea/coffee when asked. We are attempting to build a relationship here - you really should be saying yes to a line of wasabi if I offer it.

• Push the small talk as we walk towards our interview room - traffic, weather, something in your resume that I mention we have in common, anything to enable walking and talking at the same time

If you can get these things right, we are more than half way there!