Before the first technical question is asked, before competencies are explored, and often before candidates have had a chance to fully settle into their seat, a decision is already forming.

According to career coach and CV branding specialist Trisha Chapman this moment is not accidental, it is psychological.

In her recent LinkedIn post, Trisha highlights a concept known as thin-slicing: the brain’s ability to make rapid judgments based on minimal information. In interview settings, this means that hiring panels often form a subconscious assessment of a candidate’s competence, confidence, and fit within the first three minutes.

And once that initial impression is made, the remainder of the interview can feel like an uphill climb.

Thin-Slicing: The Unspoken Interview Filter

Psychologists use the term thin-slicing to describe how people draw conclusions from small samples of behaviour. In recruitment, this plays out powerfully. Interviewers may not even realise it, but tone of voice, posture, eye contact, warmth, and clarity of communication all feed into an early internal narrative:

“This person feels capable.”
or
“Something feels off.”

As Trisha explains, if you start weak, the rest of the interview often becomes an exercise in damage control. Strong answers later on struggle to fully override a shaky first impression.

The solution? Win the first 180 seconds deliberately.

Master the Entry Energy

The moment you walk (or log) into an interview room, energy speaks before words do.

Trisha advises candidates to consciously match the energy of the room, then elevate it slightly. This balance is critical. Too reserved, and you risk appearing passive or disengaged. Too intense, and you may come across as unfocused or overwhelming.

That subtle “10% lift” signals confidence, presence, and emotional intelligence. It tells the panel: I’m aware, I’m adaptable, and I belong here.

Small Talk Is Not Small

Many candidates underestimate the opening conversation, the comments about traffic, weather, or how the day is going. Trisha reframes this moment entirely.

This is not filler.

It is a likability test.

Hiring managers are not just assessing whether you can do the job; they are assessing whether they can work with you, trust you, and spend long hours collaborating with you. The ability to connect naturally, listen actively, and respond as a human, not a rehearsed script, matters more than most candidates realise.

“People hire people they want to work with,” Trisha notes. And that judgment starts long before structured questions begin.

Your Elevator Pitch Sets the Trajectory

Few interview prompts are as deceptively simple, or as critical, as “Tell me about yourself.”

Trisha is clear: this is not an invitation to walk through your CV chronologically. It is a strategic opening, a request for a concise, compelling 90-second commercial explaining why you are the solution to their problem.

Candidates who wait until question five to demonstrate impact, confidence, or relevance often miss the moment. By then, the panel may have already mentally decided whether to lean in or tune out.

A strong opening narrative aligns your experience with the employer’s needs immediately. It signals clarity, self-awareness, and value.

Confidence Is Communicated, Not Claimed

What makes Trisha’s perspective particularly compelling is that it sits at the intersection of psychology, recruitment insight, and personal branding. As the Founder of impressiveCV she works daily with professionals navigating competitive job markets in the UAE and Australia, many of whom are highly qualified but struggle to translate their value under pressure.

Her message is simple but powerful: confidence is something you project, not something you announce.

From CVs and LinkedIn profiles to interviews and salary negotiations, Trisha’s work focuses on helping professionals show up with clarity, credibility, and presence, from the very first moment.

Preparing to Win the Room

Interviews are not warm-up sessions. They are performances where the opening moments set the tone.

If you are job searching, transitioning careers, returning to work, or aiming for your next step, investing time in how you enter an interview may be one of the highest-impact changes you can make.

As Trisha reminds us, opportunities are often decided faster than we think, but preparation allows us to meet those moments with intention.

To learn more about Trisha Chapman’s coaching services or to book a one-to-one session, you can schedule directly via her Calendly link