Job seekers have on average just six minutes and 25 seconds during the first meeting to impress potential employers. 
Candidates have first impressions too and employers have to be just as attentive and engaged as they expect their employees to be, otherwise they risk missing out on the best talent. Key highlights from research findings:

Applicants

The factors that influence an applicant’s first impressions are:
• 35% would turn down a job if they didn't like the reception area
• 42% would be more likely to take a job if they liked the manner of the office receptionist
• 44% admit they'd probably turn down a job if they didn't like the room they were interviewed in
• 50% would be swayed by the interviewer's dress sense
• 51% would turn down a job if they were kept waiting too long in reception
• 58% said banter or small talk is important
• 59% of job applicants said the way an interviewer wore make up could negatively affect their impression
of a potential employer
• 60% would be swayed by the interviewer's handshake

Interviewers

Top things which make or break an interviewer’s first impression:
• A candidate’s timekeeping (96% managers agree this is influential)
• Level of a candidates interview preparation (93% agree)
• Ability to hold eye contact (82% agree)
• Personal appearance (73 % agree)
• Quality of banter or small talk (60% agree)
• Strength of handshake (55% agree)

The five most important factors interviewers consider when making a hire are:

• Work experience (36%)
• First impression of the candidate (24%)
• Education (12%)
• Professional qualifications (10%)
• References (9%)

Other factors that influenced interviewers are:

• 71% of employers said a visible tattoo would put them off
• 6% definitely wouldn't hire someone with a tattoo, and 25% would think twice, even with a strong candidate
• 77% say a visible piercing would put them off
• 8% definitely wouldn't hire someone with a piercing and 41% would think twice, even if they were a strong candidate
• 62% admit a candidate's dress sense affects their decision
• 70% of employers said that the way someone applies their make-up could impact a first impression

The top five worst examples of bad impressions are:
• Limp handshake
• Knowing nothing about the role or the company
• Turning up late
• Smelling badly – either because of body odour or of smoke
• Being high or drunk

Source: Monster