In hiring, first 12 minutes count most  Eric Beauchesne, Canwest
News Service    OTTAWA - Managers generally have a job candidate
sized up within minutes of the start of an interview, according
to survey results.  "Hiring managers often know whether they
might hire someone soon after the opening handshake and small
talk," says an analysis of the survey by human resources firm
Robert Half Finance & Accounting.  The survey of 100 executives
found that while interviews tend to last about an hour, it takes
just 12 minutes on average for a manager to form a negative or
positive opinion of a job candidate.  "The interview begins the
moment job seekers arrive, so applicants need to project
enthusiasm and confidence from the start," said Max Messmer,
chairman and chief executive of Robert Half International.   The
report on the survey, which includes examples of questions that
are frequently asked at the start of an interview, suggests job
candidates will be asked to provide information about
themselves, show knowled