The way you feel about going to job interviews will overshadow even the most polished presentation or compensate for a clumsy one. There’s an old saying that bears repeating; “you never have a second chance to make a first impression.”
For job seekers, this is your first and most important rule. You can have a resume that outshines 95% of all candidates and lose the job because of a poor first impression. Arrive prepared for the interview.
Even if you emailed your resume, bring another copy that’s printed on high quality paper. Carry it in a folder or sturdy envelope. Don’t fold it and then fish around your tote bag or briefcase to find it. Also, have copies of reference letters with you in case the interviewer requests them.
Set interview appointments with enough time in between to find the location, park and not be late. You don’t want to show up late no matter what. If you’re stuck on a bridge in the worst traffic jam of the year, then use your cell phone to call and explain where you are. But it’d better be a real problem. Don’t use traffic or car problems as an excuse because you overslept or forgot to pick up your best suit at the dry cleaners.
Use your computer to find a map with the shortest route to the job interview. The online map systems also give an approximate time between locations. Add 15-20 minutes to that just to be on the safe side. Better to arrive a quarter of an hour early and sit in the parking lot until appointment time than to be frantically dashing through the door late.
Choose carefully what you wear to an interview. You don’t have to dress is a business suit for every interview. Do some research on the company or industry. What is their dress code for employees?
If the dress code is business casual, then you can arrive in khaki pants (or a skirt), clean white shirt and a navy or brown jacket to be slightly more sophisticated than the usual dress code.
But if you’re going on several interviews or don’t know the dress code expectations, then wear a suit or a tailored outfit that’s stylish without being trendy. Save the fire engine red jacket or the Goth inspired black shoes for personal wear.
Unless you’re applying in the fashion, art, beauty or other industry where being trendy is preferred, dress in a less dramatic manner. You want to be remembered for your polished speech and strong resume - not for an outrageous outfit.
Be careful about overdoing the perfume or aftershave scent. You want to give a clean, fresh appearance without sending the interviewer into an asthma attack from the smell that envelopes you.
The same goes for smokers - put on freshly cleaned clothes and don’t smoke before the interview. You don’t want your odor - good or bad - to detract from the attention the interviewer is giving to you.
Practice your handshake with several friends. You want a strong handshake that communicates confidence. Don’t pump the other hand like you’re priming a pump. And don’t give a limp handshake - that shows reluctance or lack of confidence in yourself.
If the interviewer offers a hand, then shake it. If not, just offer a greeting and sit down. At the end of the interview, you can decide whether to offer your handshake as a way to ending the meeting.
Practice your greeting to the interviewer. This isn’t the same as greeting friends. Don’t walk in with a “Hi, how ya doin?” or “What’s up with you today?” or “Yo, nice to meetcha.”
Those greetings sound too familiar and too casual to communicate a serious business intent. They’re also a display of poor grammar. If you don’t speak clearly and accurately to the interviewer when you’re trying to make a good impression, then the interviewer has reason to fear that you’ll represent the company the same way to clients.
Stand in front of a mirror and rehearse your greeting - “Hello, Mr. Smith, my name is Morgan Jones and I’m pleased to meet with you today.” Speak in a natural tone and articulate every word.
Realize that when you’re nervous, the tendency is to speak faster and in a higher pitch. The higher pitch is more noticeable for many women than for men. Make an effort to drop your voice tone just slightly so that it’s natural, yet sounds strong. Also look the person in the eye. Making eye contact shows a positive, respectful attitude.
You also need to rehearse walking into the interviewer’s office and sitting gracefully in a chair. Don’t slide into a chair and slump down. A slumped posture gives the non-verbal message that you don’t really care and can’t be bothered to act differently on the job than you would lounging in front of the TV set.
Ask a friend to help you rehearse for the interview. Tell your friend to watch for some of these things and tell you honestly if you’re doing them wrong. Let your friend role play with you in asking questions.
Ask the friend to be a cooperative, interested interviewer and then play the role of a demanding, difficult interviewer. It’s better for you to encounter and stumble through answers to challenging questions in a dress rehearsal than to hear them for the first time in an interview. Just practicing this will give you additional confidence when you run up against this in an actual interview.
Keep some personal notecards with envelopes in your briefcase or car. After each interview, take a few moments to write a short note to the interviewer expressing thanks for the interview time.
If the interviewer gave you any particular encouragement or job ideas, mention how much you appreciate that. Then put a stamp on the card and mail it the same day. This small token of manners happens so infrequently in today’s world that your note might be what sets you apart from other equally qualified candidates.
