Dress to impress
When you are dressing for a job
interview the image you present is really important. Your image is what makes
the first impression on the interviewer - and that first impression is the one
that sticks - so it's important to dress appropriately when interviewing.
When dressing for an
interview for a professional position, dress accordingly in business attire. If
you're applying for a job in a more casual environment, like a store or
restaurant, it's still important to be neat, tidy, and well-groomed, and to
present a positive image to the employer.
Be punctual
It's important to arrive a few minutes early, or on time, at the
latest, for a job interview. Know where you're going, how much travel time you
need, and how to get to the interview location. Check out the logistics ahead
of time so you ensure that you're not late.
Giving yourself a bit
of extra time will give you an opportunity to stop in the rest room and freshen
up, if need be, to make sure you don't have any hair, make-up or wardrobe
malfunctions.
A few extra minutes will also give you an opportunity to catch your
breath and stay calm. An interview is even more stressful than normal if you're
rushing to get there on time.
What to bring
It's important to come prepared to a job interview. Bring extra copies
of your resume along with a list of references to offer the interviewer. Also,
bring a list of questions to ask the interviewer.
If you're
interviewing for a tech or web job and you want to show examples of your work,
it's fine to bring your laptop or tablet to show the interviewer what you have
accomplished.
What shouldn't you
bring? Don't walk into a job interview with a coffee cup or bottle of soda or
water or anything else to eat or drink. Don't chew gum.
Your cell phone
should be turned off and out of sight. You don't want to be the applicant whose
text messages or calls disrupted the interview.
Greeting the Interviewer
When you arrive at a job interview, introduce yourself to the receptionist
if there is one. Let him or her know who you are and who you are scheduled to
meet with.
Greet your
interviewer with a firm handshake and introduce yourself. Be prepared for a
little small talk, but don't overdo it. Follow the interviewer's lead and let
them guide the direction of the conversation.
Responding to Interview Questions
When you respond to interview questions, listen carefully to the
questions, take time to phrase your responses, and ask the interviewer to
repeat the question if you're not sure what they are asking.
Be brief and don't
ramble when you respond. However, do be sure that your responses answer the
questions, are focused, and highlight the skills you have that are relevant to
the job.
Keep in mind that
your responses are your sales pitch.
You're selling the
interviewer on yourself as the best candidate for the job, so be sure you focus
on your relevancy i.e. why you are a good candidate, how you can do the job,
what you can contribute, and how you will benefit the company if you're hired.
Closing the Interview
Towards the end of the interview let the hiring manager know that you
think the job is an excellent fit and that you are very interested in the job.
It's appropriate to
ask what the next step in the hiring process will be and when you might expect
to hear.
Finally, thank the
interviewer for the time they spent interviewing with you.
Follow up with a thank you note
Following up with a thank you note is on the list of interview
etiquette best practices. Taking the time to say thank you not only shows that
you appreciated the interview, it also gives you an opportunity to reiterate
your interest in the job.
In addition to saying
thank you, refer to anything the interviewer mentioned that enhanced your
interest and summarize why you think the job is a good match and why you're a
strong candidate for the job.
