Job Interview Greetings

I'm working with another ESL student on job interview preparation. Actually, the "job interview" is at a professional conference. My student has five short interviews with potential employers. With such short interviews, first impressions are particularly important.

When I practice with students, I try to create as "real" a situation as possible. So in this interview practice session, I extended my hand in greeting. My ESL student's handshake was a little weak and tentative. So we went over this little bit of body language and practiced a firm handshake.

It's these little things that English-speaking Americans (and probably other English-speaking countries' people) take for granted. However, these little things can make or break someone's first impression. As such, I feel that it's important to include these non-verbal forms of communication in my ESL lessons.

--end--