A
word of caution: Don't concentrate too
much on trying to project the perfect image. Just
try to relax, visualize yourself as smooth and
confident, and you'll almost certainly do well.
Dressing
for Success
How
important is proper dress for a job interview?
Although the final selection of a job candidate
will rarely be determined by dress, first-round
candidates are often eliminated because they've
dressed inappropriately. This is not to say you
should invest in a new wardrobe; just be sure
that you're able to put together an adequate
interview outfit. A good rule of thumb is to
dress for a position just above the one you're
applying for.
Men should wear a clean, conservative, two-piece
suit; a white shirt; and a silk tie. Lace-up wing
tips are your best bet for shoes. This is the
basic corporate wardrobe; however, in some
industries, a quality jacket, pants, shirt, and
tie are fine. But if you're not sure what dress
is appropriate at a certain firm, play it safe
and opt for a two-piece suit. A man should always
wear a jacket and tie to an interview--even if
everyone else in the office is in shirtsleeves.
Dressing this way shows that you're taking the
interview seriously and treating the company with
respect.
For women, a professional-looking dress or suit
with low-heeled shoes makes the best impression.
In more conservative industries, like law or
banking, a suit's probably your best choice.
However, some hiring managers in creative
industries, like advertising or publishing, look
for a more informal, stylish look that reflects
the applicant's individuality. Use your best
judgment and wear whatever is both professional
and comfortable for you. However, be sure to
avoid excess jewelry or makeup.
Impeccable personal grooming is even more
important than finding the perfect outfit. Be
sure that your clothes are clean, pressed, and
well fitting, and that your shoes are polished.
Hair should be neat and businesslike, and your
nails should be clean and trimmed. Both men and
women are advised to skip the cologne or
perfume--you never know if the person
interviewing you will be violently allergic to
the cologne you're wearing.
Timing
Is Everything
Although it
may seem hard to believe, many job seekers arrive
late for interviews. This is easy enough to
do--you might simply take a little unplanned
extra time to prepare for your interview or
underestimate how long it will take to get to the
interview location. Don't let yourself make this
fatal mistake!
Allow plenty of time to get ready for, and to
travel to, your job interview. You shouldn't
arrive at the interviewer's office more than ten
minutes in advance. However, if you're driving
across town, allowing yourself an extra ten
minutes probably isn't enough. Try to get to the
location at least thirty minutes early; you can
then spend twenty minutes in a nearby coffee shop
or take a walk around the building. Interviews
are important enough to build in a little extra
time. Here's another tip: If you've never been to
the interview location, visit it the day before
so you know exactly how to get there, how to
access the building, and where to park.
Sometimes the interviewer will be running behind
schedule. Don't be upset: be sympathetic.
Interviewers are often pressured to see a lot of
candidates and to fill a demanding position
quickly. So be sure to come to your interview
with good reading material to keep yourself
occupied and relaxed.
What to
Have on Hand
A briefcase
or leather-bound folder, if you have one, will
help complete the professional, polished look you
want to achieve. Women should avoid carrying a
purse if they plan on carrying a briefcase--it
may detract from a professional image. And don't
forget to wear a watch!
Before leaving for the interview, be sure that
you have: good directions and the phone numbers
and names of the people you'll be meeting with.
You should also bring the following items with
you to the interview:
Body
Language
The first
minutes of the interview are the most important.
A recruiter begins sizing up your potential the
instant you walk into the room. If you make a bad
impression from the start, you may be ruled out
immediately, and the interviewer may pay little
attention to your performance during the rest of
the interview. An excellent initial impression,
on the other hand, will put a favorable glow on
everything else you say during the rest of the
interview--and could well encourage the recruiter
to ask less demanding questions.
How can you ensure that you make a terrific first
impression? The easiest answer is to be sure
you're dressed well. When the recruiter meets
you, he or she will notice your clothes and
grooming first. Nothing other than impeccable
grooming is acceptable. Your attire must be
professional and squeaky clean.
Your body language will also speak volumes, even
before you and the interviewer exchange a word.
Any recruiter will unconsciously pick up on and
react to the subtle signals of body language.
Here are some important things to think about:
 | Do you
smile when you meet? |
| Do you
make just enough eye contact without
staring at the recruiter? |
| Do you
walk into the office with a self-assured
and confident stride? |
| Do you
shake hands firmly? |
| Are
your briefcase, notepad, and coat in your
left hand, or do you have to juggle them
around in order to shake hands? |
| Do
your eyes travel naturally to and from
the recruiter's face as you begin to
talk? |
| Do you
remember the recruiter's name and
pronounce it with confidence? |
| Do you
make small talk easily, or do you act
formal and reserved, as though under
attack? |
It's human
nature to judge people by that first impression,
so make sure yours is a good one. But most of
all, try to be yourself.
Overcoming
Nervousness
As if
formulating solid answers to interview questions
isn't tough enough, you'll also have to overcome
a quite natural, inevitable nervousness. Most
employers won't think less of a job candidate for
a bit of nervous behavior--but they will pay
close attention to how you hold up under
pressure. Displaying excessive nervousness can
easily eliminate you from further consideration.
One good way to overcome pre-interview jitters is
to exercise positive thinking. If you're feeling
nervous about an upcoming interview, imagine in
detail what the experience will be like: Think of
what you'll say, the questions you'll be asked,
and how you'll answer them. Picture yourself
responding calmly, effectively, and in a
controlled manner. This type of mental rehearsing
won't guarantee success, but it should help you
feel more optimistic and self-confident which
will undoubtedly enhance your final presentation.
Above all, you should practice interviewing as
much as you can. You'll become more confident and
your answers will become more polished with each
interview you have.
