Looking Good?
Someone very wise once said, "Dress for the job you want, not the job you have." It never hurts to model the part of the completely professional jobseeker. Fair warning, dear readers, I'm very conservative about the way a candidate should look.
My take on the situation is: don't give interviewers anything overt to object to. I understand that this may be disparaging to you, but I go with "better safe than sorry." It's a sad fact of human nature that people have all kinds of strange sensibilities. Save your self-expression for once you've gotten the job.
Even if you are told that the company is casual, wear a sport jacket and tie, suit, or tailored dress. Interviewers should never be uncomfortable if you are dressed better than they are. They already have jobs. If the interviewer should point out that you seem a bit out of place in a casual office, you can finesse the point by explaining that your standards require that you dress professionally in an interview situation, no matter what.
I hope it goes without saying that your attire should be neat, clean and pressed. Natural fabrics are best, but wear the best you've got regardless. And when I say the best, I don't mean party clothes. I've seen people in evening wear or club clothes at an interview. Unfortunately, this causes general hilarity when the candidate leaves. Everyone knows the person meant well, but it's still a riot when the door shuts after the interview.
Avoid any sort of high fashion look. It makes you appear superficial. You want to look conventionally professional. The goal here is not to give an interviewer anything to object to. That means no funny ties, no extremely short skirts, no black dress shirts, nothing sleeveless. You get my drift here.
While we're on the no-no's, go easy on the jewelry. You shouldn't clank when you walk into the interviewer's office. No oversized gold chains, visible religious jewelry, anklets, etc. No dangling earrings, multiple earrings, other body piercings visible while in business dress. I'd recommend that guys remove all earrings for interviews, but it's the end of the century and it's your call.
Always Be Clean and Never Wear Green
This is advice that was given in Dress for Success, the early '80's guide to the corporate look. Things have changed, except for the always be clean part. I hate that I feel it necessary to talk about this, but you wouldn't believe some of the stories I could tell. Suffice it to say that your hair should be absolutely clean, with a minimum of styling product used. This isn't the time for a new hairdo either. Make sure it's combed and neat before you walk into the interview office.
Find the bathroom to freshen up beforehand just to make sure. Something a lot of people overlook is the condition of their hands and nails. I've heard many interviewers talk about what details they look for and the state of a candidate's manicure comes up a lot (also the condition of the heels of your shoes; make sure they're not run over and that there aren't any holes in the soles.) Unpolished nails should be short and clean; no dragon lady nails or extreme colors if you polish them.
D-Day
Interview day comes. What should you do?
* Arrive early or on time
* Bring an extra copy or two of your resume
* Have researched the company as best you can beforehand
* Know where you're supposed to come for the interview
* Know the interviewer's full name
* Know what job you're interviewing for
Greet the receptionist politely. As a matter of fact, be really nice to this person. Find out the person's name and whether she/he does this job all the time. This person can be a useful ally after the interview when you call, trying to track down the interviewer to find out what's going on. The value of a good impression can never be underestimated and you never know whose ear this individual may have.
You'll probably have to wait a bit until the interviewer is ready to see you. If there is any information about the company available in the waiting area - read it. You may pick up something to lead the interview into a discussion of your strengths. Or to draw the interviewer out and learn more about the company. Look at any displays of company products or framed awards, reviews etc. for more hints.
High Anxiety
Hope not, but waiting usually increases any nervousness. If the imminent prospect of facing the interviewer terrifies you, there are a few things you can do to calm yourself down. Discreetly close your eyes and breathe normally - in to the count of ten and out to the count of ten. Do this ten times and finish with a deep, but silent exhale. Try visualizing a place where you are always relaxed and calm, like the beach, the mountains, the woods, the bathtub. Imagine yourself there and in a mellow mood.
Or imagine yourself as the best candidate for the job you're after. What would that person look like? Sound like? Act like? Mentally prepare to be that person. Give yourself the pep talk that you wish someone would give you. Then believe it. If all else fails, chant the mantra that I found invaluable in getting through my children's birthday parties: "It's only an hour out of my life."
Don't drink a lot of coffee or other caffeinated beverages before the interview if it's not your normal pattern. No need to be overly wired. You might as well limit all fluid intake, since nerves are sure to stimulate the excretory system and who needs that during the interview. Make sure to eat something light beforehand, since a growling stomach can be embarrassing. Finally, don't make the mistake of using alcohol or drugs to calm any jitters. The result almost always backfires.
Showtime
No more time to worry, here comes the interviewer. Stand up, greet him/her, and shake hands firmly (remember to put anything you are holding in your left hand so you can shake with the right.) If you didn't know the interviewer's name before you arrived, repeat it as you shake hands to help situate it in your memory.
As you follow the interviewer to her/his office, respond to the questions or comments being made to you with short, pleasant answers. Seem happy to be there. Once you arrive at the office, do not sit until invited. Ask if the interviewer would prefer you to sit in a particular chair. Take the seat as directed or select the one which lets you look directly at him/her without having a window in your field of vision. Despite your best intentions, it's easy to be distracted by motion outside a window and you can lose focus.
Place your folder/handbag/briefcase on the floor. Under no circumstances should you ever put your belongings on the interviewer's desk or table. It's a threatening power move and a major breach of protocol. Sit up straight in your chair and don't lounge or slump to the side. Look directly at the interviewer and remember to smile.
You may be offered a beverage. It's in your best interests to refuse politely. Though you may be dry as the Sahara, this is a path fraught with danger. You can't put the cup down on the desk and you can't answer with your mouth full. The worst possibility is that you could spill it on the interviewer. This actually happened to me. Luckily, I wasn't the candidate in that situation and I did my best to laugh it off, since it was only water. But the interviewee was utterly unnerved and the situation couldn't be rescued. Don't let this happen to you.
Try Out these stints in your next interview and dont forget to read out next post on the same topic.
All The Best !
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