Job Tuition

What To Do In An Interview - Part One

December 3rd, 2006 by Jennine

This is a guide to impressing your future employers in the 30-45 minute time slot they have dedicated to you. You will be nervous, they know that you will be nervous, they are probably just as nervous as you are. However, have you considered that if you’re nervous then every other person that they are interviewing is going to be just as, if not more so, nervous as you. Work with the nerves, let the adrenalin flow and remember that at the end of the day, if you don’t get the job/position then so be it. Something as good if not better will come along and you will nail that interview. Interviews to me are like an extreme sport, you get pumped up, they can be terrifying but interviews will only make you stronger for future interviews.

The best way to conquer interview fears is to be prepared. Not just mentally but physically as well. I don’t mean that you have to be super fit to interview well, rather I am focusing on how you present yourself at the interview. Part One will be getting ready for the interview.

Tip 1 - Body

Have a shower. Get yourself clean and wash yourself calm. Take your time, relax, wash the stress away. Use your favorite soap/gel, shampoo and condition your hair. Pamper yourself. This time that you spend you can clear your mind or you can imagine what questions the panel will ask and think of possible responses. The choice is yours.

Use deodorant. The panel will not be impressed if you are all dressed up, looking great and smelling like something has died. From this point you will be starting to focus on the upcoming interview and the adrenalin will start to make you sweat. People have a tendency to sweat more when stressed, so make sure you use a good antiperspirant. Talcum powder is also a good idea as it will lessen the chances of your clothes sticking to you when you sit down and making you uncomfortable.

Perfume/Aftershave is desirable, but be careful with how much you use. It is better to leave a subtle hint of scent as opposed to drowning yourself in scent and giving everyone in the near vicinity a raging headache. Sometimes less is more.

Tip 2 - Hair

A couple of days before the interview it may be wise to get your haircut. Make sure you get the hairdresser to show you how to style your hair. If possible, make an appointment before the interview and get them to style your hair for you. Make sure that your hairstyle can be made to look conservative or “office like”. The interviewer is not going to be impressed with your mohawk/hot pink stripes, they want someone who will assimilate into their working environment.

The idea of a haircut is to make sure that you look neat and tidy in every respect. This gives your future employer the impression that you are organized and can be trusted to get the job done. If you have curly or wavy hair, try and straighten it. Straightened hair looks tidier and again gives the impression of being in control.

Tip 3 - For the women

You are going to want to wear make up for the interview. Make up is great for covering a multitude of sins, but again don’t over do it. Go for a natural look, neutral shades of browns and pinks. Nothing that would scare little children, you want to be visually appealing to everyone. Every women’s magazine on the face of the planet gives advice on how to do make up, how to look like the latest starlet. That’s great, but focus on the one’s that look like they aren’t wearing makeup. Good examples are Cameron Diaz, Kirsten Dunst, Nicole Kidman and Audrey Hepburn.

Tip 4 - Dress up for the interview

It doesn’t matter if you are going for a position as a garbage man, teacher, rocket scientist, Chief Executive Officer or a traineeship. Dress for the occasion! Every person that is in the job market should have one good outfit, whether it be a suit, dress trousers and shirt, a good dress or skirt and blouse. Make sure it is clean and ironed. Your shoes should be scuff free, polished and suitable to go with your outfit. Don’t wear trainers, runners, sneakers whatever you want to call them they are not suitable for a job interview and neither is denim. Denim is not acceptable in a workplace for interviews no matter what top you wear with it, it will not be dressed up enough for an interview.

Accessorise with care. A bracelet is fine, more than one is overkill. Visible body piercings are not acceptable, this includes numerous earrings in ears. It is better to err on the side of caution and dress conservatively and win the position than to put the interviewer/s offside straight away by walking in jingling in jewelery. Again, tattoos should be covered same reasons, most interviewers don’t appreciate body art when they are hiring, they may be more lenient once you start work.

Summary

Now that you have done all in your power to look the part, you have given yourself an edge. You are now better prepared mentally and physically. Physically you are in control and ready to take charge. Mentally, you are feeling confident and capable. Dressing like a winner makes you feel like a winner. At the end of the day by making an effort to dress the part you are setting yourself aside from other interviewees. An interview can be secured within 60 seconds of first eye contact, if the interviewer/s don’t like what they see they aren’t going to be as interested in your responses to their questions and may miss some key points. If there are two applicants with the same point score for a position - the panel are more than likely going to pick the person who was better presented.