You have 60 seconds to make a first impression—and in a job interview, that moment can define everything that follows. While skills, experience, and preparation matter, there’s something about the feeling you leave behind that sticks.

I graduated from the University of Toronto many moons ago, full of hopes, dreams and sadly, unrealistic expectations. Armed with a major in Philosophy and minors in History and Political Science, I was fully expecting that I would be offered a lucrative position in no time. In fact, I was convinced that the money I had spent on my education warranted a high paying position.