Miyako Hirabayashi, Director of Elegant Manners School

Miyako Hirabayashi, Director of Elegant Manners School

Hirabayashi Miyako, a "legendary etiquette instructor," believes that "it's difficult to convey your feelings without a formality," and delivers smiles and trust through customer service. Hirabayashi, who conducts over 200 training sessions per year, shared her tips on how to polish your first impression, which will be useful in job hunting, and other important etiquette tips for company interviews.

◾️What does it take to make a good first impression?

　It is said that first impressions are made in three seconds, so it is important to pay attention to your appearance and attitude.

　The three key points are "see," "listen," and "confirm."

　When it comes to "seeing," it's important to have a clean appearance and a bright expression. Don't hide your face with your bangs, but leave part of your forehead visible. Also, rather than having a wrinkled suit, as the etymology of the word "pretty" suggests, having a crease in your trousers gives the impression that you've put effort into it. This will convey your enthusiasm, "I want to join our company." Make sure to keep your clothes and hairstyle neat and maintain a natural smile.

　When it comes to listening, the key is to use words that show confidence. Simply saying "Thank you" in a bright tone will make a good impression. It is also important to have an attitude of listening to the other person, and showing sincerity and empathy will lead to a good impression.

　In the "confirmation" section, it is important to listen carefully to what the other person is saying and respond appropriately. Try to respond politely, such as "You're right." Just by being mindful of these things, you can make a good impression on the interviewer.

What should I pay attention to when dressing for an interview?

　Be aware of the "frame" of your face. Having your forehead, eyebrows, and ears visible will give you a bright, sharp impression. Avoid hiding your face with bangs. It's also important to look healthy. Being in poor health will make you look less clean, so make sure you get enough sleep and eat well, and be in top physical condition for the interview.

Why is it important to be conscious of your smile?

　A smile is an important element in conveying friendliness. In an interview, a smile is your greatest weapon for conveying a sense of security and friendliness. Be conscious of smiling so that your four upper teeth and four lower teeth are visible. It takes practice to acquire a natural smile. For example, repeatedly practicing saying "Good morning" while keeping your mouth fixed will help you make smiling a habit.

How to learn to use correct language

　It is effective to repeatedly practice raising the tone of your speech. Simply saying "Thank you" in a bright tone with a rising tone will give off a lively and favorable impression. Also, using polite expressions such as "gozaimasu" (thank you) and "itashimasu" (thank you) will make you seem more trustworthy. Practice in front of a mirror or be conscious of it when talking with family and friends. Just taking care of the "form" of your appearance, speech, and smile will help you to gain confidence.

Student Newspaper April 2025 Issue Tsuda University 4nd Year Student Ishimatsu Karin

Yusaka Matsuzaka, third-year student at Keio University / Karin Ishimatsu, second-year student at Tsuda University / Toraki Mochizuki, first-year student at Tokyo Keizai University