How important are first impressions in interviews?

Interviewers are people and rely on their instincts which include first impressions. Your interview starts when you arrive for the interview. Do you appear confident? How are you dressed? (Are you prepared for an interview or are you ready for the club?), Do you have a big smile? Are you happy to be there? etc. First impressions are important because they set the tone for the rest of the interview. If you lead with the right first impression the job becomes yours to lose. If you don’t start strong you are playing catch up the entire interview.