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Stanford Graduate School of BusinessHow to Make the Best First Impressions
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At a glance
WHAT IT’S REALLY ABOUT
First impressions in interviews start before you enter the room
- The session demonstrates how two people can read the same early interview moments very differently, making first impressions a high-stakes part of hiring interactions.
- The speakers argue that first impressions “start before it starts,” shaped by online presence, attire choices, and visible readiness the moment you arrive.
- Specific waiting-room behaviors—standing up, making small talk, and preparing a confident meet-and-greet—are presented as ways to differentiate yourself professionally.
- In the interview room, the focus shifts to doing homework on the interviewer, using confident posture and eye contact, and matching the interviewer’s energy level.
- Brett shares a personal example where strong qualifications weren’t enough because his early signals made him seem like he didn’t take the interview seriously, and he explains how he corrected these mistakes later.
IDEAS WORTH REMEMBERING
5 ideasFirst impressions form extremely fast and then get reinforced.
He cites research that first impressions are typically formed within the first 17 seconds and then reinforced over time, which is why small early signals can disproportionately shape how the rest of the interaction is interpreted.
Your interview performance is influenced by what you do before the interview begins.
He says preparation affects whether you enter the interview on the front foot or spend the whole time trying to recover, emphasizing that your "stage time" begins before the formal interview conversation starts.
Your online presence can create the first ‘first impression’ before you meet.
He suggests improving profile-photo production value (like lighting and camera quality) and assumes interviewers may review online profiles ahead of time, making that part of the first impression.
Dressing slightly more formally can boost perceived professionalism and your confidence.
He recommends dressing one step above the firm’s business-casual norm, and Brett reports that doing so made him feel more confident.
Being visibly present (not on your phone) matters the moment you arrive.
He discourages using your phone in the waiting area because it can signal you’re not ready or not fully present, even if you’re simply passing time.
WORDS WORTH SAVING
5 quotesFirst impressions are usually formed within the first 17 seconds of meeting someone, and then they're only reinforced with time with high correlation.
— Tejas Naphade
Thing is, it actually starts before it starts.
— Tejas Naphade
I've had 10 interviews today. I don't feel a special connection with this guy. He doesn't stand out.
— Tammie Chen
I was the most qualified candidate for the job, but I didn't get the job because they felt I didn't take it seriously.
— Brett Rocheleau
I learned the hard way, that it truly does start before it starts.
— Brett Rocheleau
SPEAKERS
Brett Rocheleau
hostStanford Graduate School of Business presenter and co-facilitator for interview/first-impression skills.
Tammie Chen
hostStanford Graduate School of Business presenter and co-facilitator focused on interview communication and first impressions.
Tejas Naphade
hostStanford Graduate School of Business presenter and lead facilitator for the first-impressions/interview exercise.
Andrew Lee Rubinger
hostStanford Graduate School of Business presenter and co-facilitator for interview preparation and first-impression coaching.
High quality AI-generated summary created from speaker-labeled transcript.
