How to make a great first impression at a job interview (Backed by science)

April 25th, 2025

Lindsey Zuloaga

Every first impression the candidate makes informs the evaluator's perception of their responses and experiences. It is even estimated that 30% of interviewers decide about an interviewee within the first five minutes of the interview. At HireVue, we remove this “first impression” bias from hiring by turning recorded video interviews into validated pre-hire assessments.

We use machine learning to objectively evaluate the entire context of the candidate’s response. This means that predicting competencies and personality traits from video is of prime interest to the HireVue Data Science team. In this guide, we'll explore the science behind first impressions, how fast they form, what really shapes them, and how you can make a great first impression at your next job interview.

The Science Behind First Impressions

First impressions are formed faster than most people realize. Studies suggest it takes as little as 7 to 15 seconds for someone to form a strong initial judgment. Some research indicates that decisions about trustworthiness, competence, and likability are made within the first few seconds of meeting someone.

Regarding job interviews, these split-second judgments can heavily influence an interviewer’s perception for the rest of the conversation. Even subtle factors like posture and tone of voice can reinforce or challenge that initial impression.

Scientific facts about first impressions highlight just how powerful these early moments are. Neuroscience research shows that the brain is wired to make rapid assessments based on limited information. These "thin slices" of behavior are often surprisingly consistent with longer-term evaluations. However, they are also prone to bias and subjective interpretation, which can lead to unfair advantages or disadvantages.

Appearance, tone, and body language are three of the biggest drivers of first impressions. Visual cues like grooming, attire, and facial expressions are instantly processed. Meanwhile, nonverbal communication creates powerful signals about confidence, friendliness, and professionalism. Moreover, the tone of voice can add emotional depth, influencing how sincere or competent someone appears.

Why First Impressions Matter So Much

At HireVue, we’ve seen firsthand how early impressions can create unintended bias in the hiring process. Traditional interviews often reward candidates who are confident and charismatic at first glance, even if these traits aren't the best predictors of long-term success. That’s why HireVe’s AI-driven video interviews focus on analyzing the full context of responses rather than superficial factors, helping hiring teams make more objective decisions.

First impressions are crucial because they affect the interviewer’s opinion of the candidate and create impact critical outcomes like hiring decisions, salary offers, and even promotion potential later on. These judgments are often based more on instinct and appearance than on true ability or fit.

Factors That Shape First Impressions

What shapes a first impression? Analysis from HireVue’s dataset shows that age, race, gender, and attractiveness can all heavily influence a candidate's initial perception.

Age: Older candidates are often considered more conscientious but less open and extroverted. Younger candidates might be perceived as more dynamic but less dependable.
Gender: Women often receive higher scores for perceived warmth and agreeableness but may face bias in perceived leadership ability.
Ethnicity: Systematic differences in evaluations based on race have been observed, with white and Asian candidates often receiving higher initial scores than Black or other minority candidates.
Attractiveness: Perhaps the most striking finding is the “beauty bias” — more attractive individuals are consistently rated higher across traits like competence, friendliness, and interview potential, despite attractiveness having no bearing on job performance.

Practical Advice to Mitigate Bias:

For Candidates: Focus on controllable factors. Prepare thoroughly, dress appropriately, practice confident body language, and speak clearly. While you can't change innate attributes, you can manage the signals you send.
For Recruiters: Incorporate structured and on-demand interviews, objective scoring rubrics, and validated assessments like HireVue’s to reduce the influence of bias. Awareness of unconscious bias and actively countering it is key to fair hiring.

Practical Tips to Make a Great First Impression

Making a positive first impression in an interview is about how you present yourself from the moment you walk in. Here are proven ways to start strong and leave a lasting impact.

Research the Company

Before the interview, understand the company’s mission, values, and recent achievements. Showing that you’ve done your homework demonstrates genuine interest and preparation. These are the two traits that interviewers immediately notice.

Dress Appropriately for the Role

Your appearance is one of the first things an interviewer observes. Dress slightly more formally than the company standard if you’re unsure. Professional attire conveys respect and readiness to step into the role.

Practice Positive Body Language

Nonverbal communication can be as powerful as what you say. Maintain good posture and make steady (but not intense) eye contact. Open body language conveys confidence and essential traits when aiming to make a good impression at a job interview.

Smile Naturally

A genuine smile can immediately create a sense of warmth and approachability. Forced smiles can be easy to spot, so think about something positive beforehand to help your smile come across as authentic.

Show Confidence (but Not Arrogance)

Overconfidence can be a red flag. Answer questions with clarity and enthusiasm, but stay humble and acknowledge what you’re still learning. Striking the right balance is crucial to building rapport early.

Prepare for Common Questions

Knowing how to answer typical interview questions — like "Tell me about yourself" or "Why do you want this role?" — helps you speak more fluidly and reduces nervousness. Preparation shows professionalism and self-awareness right from the start.

Speak Clearly and Listen Actively

Clear communication is a top trait employers look for. Practice speaking at a measured pace, enunciating words, and pausing naturally. Equally importantly, demonstrate active listening by nodding and responding thoughtfully.

Be Authentic

Above all, be yourself. Interviewers can sense rehearsed or overly polished personas. Authenticity builds trust quickly and leaves a far stronger impression than trying to fit into an imagined mold.

Applying these strategies can make a strong first impression in your interview, setting a positive tone for the entire conversation and greatly improving your chances of success.

How Technology Can Help Reduce Bias in Hiring

First impressions are powerful, but technology can level the playing field. Here’s how:

Video Assessments: Focus on What Matters

At HireVue, we use AI-powered talent assessments to evaluate candidates objectively. Instead of letting a first impression, our technology analyzes:

Communication skills
Competency-based answers
Relevant professional traits

This ensures every candidate is judged based on substance.

Bias Audits: Keeping AI Fair and Transparent

We trust our algorithms, and we test them. Bias audits are performed regularly to:

Detect and eliminate potential biases
Ensure models meet ethical and legal standards
Maintain transparency and accountability

Continuous auditing helps our technology remain fair over time.

Human + AI: A Better Way to Hire

Technology doesn’t replace human decision-making. It enhances it.

AI brings consistency and objectivity.
Humans bring empathy, intuition, and cultural understanding.

When combined, they create a more innovative, fairer hiring process where first impressions don't overshadow a candidate’s real potential.

Final Thoughts

First impressions matter during job interviews. Understanding the psychology behind first impressions empowers candidates to present themselves authentically and professionally. At the same time, companies are responsible for ensuring their hiring practices aren't unduly influenced by unconscious bias.

At HireVue, we're committed to helping organizations make more thoughtful, fairer hiring decisions. By blending human insight with AI-driven assessments, we reduce bias and create more opportunities for talent to shine. Learn more about how HireVue can support your hiring journey.