How to become a UX Designer the insiders perspective

How to become a UX Designer â€" the insiders’ perspective by Tom Bunkham Do you like making the lives of others as simple as possible?If so, a career as a UX Designer may be perfect for you. But what does the position really entail? And is it the right thing for you?To give you the insider knowledge on exactly what to expect, we’ve spoken to some of the country’s leading UX Designers to find out what it’s really like…One day I want to beQ.  What did you want to be when you were growing up?Anna Walters is a UX Team Leader with a background in the publishing industryAnna: All kinds of things Psychologist, writer, theatre designer, the most outlandish was probably film director Technology didnt really feature in the beginning.Harry Lymperopoulos is a UX Designer  (with an Engineering background)  at reed.co.ukHarry: As a child I wanted to become Phantom Duck. Then I realized I liked gadgets so I thought I should become a game developer. User Experience came after my post-BSc research on usability through my first job.Joe Lanma n is a UX and Interaction Designer for gov.uk and LoveTheSales.comJoe: I was interested in computers from an early age we got a Spectrum +2 when I was about 9. I was fascinated by the potential to make things happen on the computer by programming it, so I think at that point I wanted to make computer games. It was an interesting time. I think most of the games around then were actually written by young people.Qualifications?Q. Did you go through any higher education or qualifications?A: Yes, I have a BA in Theatre Film studies and an MSc in Electronic Publishing (part journalism, part web technology).H: I have an engineering background and an MSc in Data Communication Systems which have both proven to be very helpful. Engineering is a good place to start when you are going towards UX. Through my work experience, conferences I attended and a lot of reading I gained the UX skills I have today.J: Yes, after A-levels I studied Computer Animation at Bournemouth University. I really enj oyed it, and while I don’t do animation as part of my job, it was a broad course that taught me a lot of useful skills. For example, you soon learn when trying to convey a story through animation that you need to be very clear, or people won’t really pick up on what you’re saying. The same is true in interaction design.Post-uni lifeQ. When you left University what did you do?A: For about ten years after my BA I worked in the book publishing industry as a project manager. I enjoyed it, but realised I needed more of a challenge and was becoming increasingly interested in both science digital technology, so I decided to go back to university to do my MSc.H: I worked at a helpdesk, which is a very good place to come face to face with the issues a user experiences on a day to day basis.J: Having seen how intense the animation industry was in London through various internships, I decided to stay in Bournemouth and started a company with a friend of mine, making animations, websites , videos, that sort of thing. Being self-employed is a real challenge but it was a great experience.Getting into UXQ. How did you become a designer?A: I went into my MSc assuming Id end up doing something content related, having come from an editorial background and thats something Im still interested in but ended up getting the most out of the interaction design and information architecture courses. After the course finished I was offered a few short UX internships, and then my current job with reed.co.uk.J: I fell into it kind of by accident. I started making websites for people, and found out through informal user testing that a lot of the time things are quite hard to use. I realised as I made more and more websites that the simpler I made them, and the more effort you put into the interface, the easier they were to use, and that that was design, as well.If I look back at the first websites I made now, the design of them is generally pretty terrible. And so I guess I became a designer through making these sites and testing them and getting better through trial and error, experience.UX is great becauseQ. What do you like most about your job?A: Can I have three things? Getting to meet and talk to lots of different people, being an advocate for the user, and the mix of science creativity. Every day is different.H: I love the fact that the hardest part is also the most fun about my job: solving puzzles and finding creative ways to solve  them.J: I like testing my designs with people, improving them and seeing that those improvements make a difference. Seeing people achieve something easily, that maybe they weren’t doing before.Top tipQ. What advice would you give to someone wanting to get into the industry?A: There are many different disciplines within UX. Try to identify what kind of practitioner you are. You might be a great interaction designer, or content strategist, or a great researcher. Its good to understand where your strengths lie so you can pla y to them, and also which areas you need to develop.H: I would say to make sure you are doing it for the right reasons. My advice would be Dont be in UX because you like beautiful designs and shiny touches. Be in UX only if you are continuously feeling a sense of not being satisfied on how things are working around you.J: I think the most important thing is to try and get experience, which is a common bit of advice, but I mean any kind of experience. If it’s going to hack days, if it’s designing a fake app and doing user testing with your family, or just getting your work out there and not being afraid of it being a bit rubbish to start off with (everyone has to start somewhere), and youll improve so much by doing.Communication skills are so important. When I was younger I definitely found it hard to communicate my design ideas and was often quite defensive, and I still find that now. But its something you’ve really got to learn. When someone comes along and says “Well I don t think that’s very good”, or “What about doing it this other way”, it can be very easy to take that personally.But the reality of it is that you will probably be working collaboratively and it’s helpful to work collaboratively youll get better ideas that way.I Love Mondays becauseA: I get to work with some really great people on some really interesting projects. It often doesnt feel like workH: There is no better feeling in knowing that you are getting paid to do something you enjoy.J: It’s a fresh start â€" a new week, new projects to get excited about and I’m always raring to go on a Monday.Find a job What Where Search JobsSign up for more Career AdviceSign up for moreCareer Advice Please enter a valid email addressmessage hereBy clicking Submit you agree to the terms and conditions applicable to our service and acknowledge that your personal data will be used in accordance with our privacy policy and you will receive emails and communications about jobs and career related topics. Career Development

How many applications should I make

How many applications should I make Time is precious and it would be reassuring if there were a definitive  number of applications to guarantee success. So let me share with you why, as a Senior Careers Consultant, my heart sinks just a little when I am asked this question. There is no magic number. Sorry, but it is more complicated than that. There are however some questions worth asking which will help you to decide whether it is worth making an application.   Can I convince the employer Im the person they need? Every employer will want to know ‘why do you want this job?’ The number of roles which you really do want (and therefore for which you can answer this question convincingly) is going to be finite. Do you know what you are good at and enjoy? Do you know what the employer wants you to be good at and enjoy to be effective in this role? These are easier questions to answer if you can refer to successes in some relevant work experience which you really enjoyed. You might have evidence from a different context of a skill the employer has asked for. If you are at Warwick, you are likely to have used resources such as the   Student Careers Skills website,   Prospects or Target Jobs  to get a good overview of your sector of interest and develop appropriate skills or experience. You can reflect this knowledge in the application. Highlight your motivation It should be obvious to the employer from what you tell them in the application that this job would be an entirely appropriate setting for the next chapter of the story of your life so far. If you do not know what skills, strengths or interests the specific job needs, or do not know your own skills, strengths and interests well enough to know whether they will suit the job, you are going to find it much more difficult to make a convincing application. Finding all this out first and then making one good application would be better than five applications which addressed none of this. Telling the company how much you love them or describing yourself as ‘a dynamic communicator able to work to challenging deadlines both in a team and alone’, without examples, unfortunately probably isn’t going to get you as far as the interview. How much time have I got? Although quality is more important than quantity, it is worth making time to make as many applications to relevant vacancies as you reasonably can. But the key word is ‘reasonably’. I remember a friend of mine at Cambridge mentioning a fellow-student who would only occasionally appear at  lectures, would arrive late and sit there looking bored when he did. He was very rarely seen doing any academic work â€" he  graduated  with a first! Normal mortals need to spend more time than this on their academic work, but the time needed will vary from one individual to the next. So too will the time you need to spend on other things. If you and your loved ones are all independent, happy and healthy, then be grateful â€" you will have more time that is yours than students for whom this is not the case. Of course quality applications are vital, but there are other vital things in life too. Having said that, if you told me that you had failed to make any applications because you had spent all your spare hours chatting pointlessly with your mates I might find it harder to be sympathetic (though I would admire your honesty) compared with someone who had less time to fill in applications because they had spent time in hospital. Quantity or quality? Some things are not about numbers. If Beethoven had written fifty piano concertos rather than five, would they have been any better? Are the thirty-seven or so plays which Shakespeare wrote the optimum number which he could have written? Really get to know the job and the employer before you start an application. Spend sufficient time to ensure that  your application  is good enough and you have given yourself a chance of being shortlisted. Don’t worry if a friend is doing twice as many applications â€" they might be lucky and have more time, but they might just be sending too many poorly planned applications. (If you think they are, you can direct them to this blog â€" tactfully.)  If you are at Warwick, remember  that there is a whole team of us in Student Careers Skills willing and able to review applications.   Take inspiration from Shakespeare and Beethoven but remember that in one respect at least you are already doing better than either of them ever did â€" neither of them were graduates!

Etiquette Tips For Women In Video Conferencing

Etiquette Tips For Women In Video Conferencing Video conferencing is a large part of the world of business.  Women in business are no exception.  It is important to understand the proper ways to communicate success when working through video conferencing.  Just like in the physical world of business, there are rules of etiquette.   Technological advancements have made it much easier to communicate from afar while still maintaining a proper business setting.  Though it may be virtual communication, women still have the battle of presenting themselves as competent.  Take a moment to look over these helpful etiquette tips for women in business who work in close collaboration with video conferencing platforms.   Pre-Conference setup Check all of the functioning devices before ever beginning a conference.  Make sure the camera is correctly angled.  Check the microphone and speakers for full sound.   It can also be very distracting to have random decorative items in the background, so make sure the scene is set to conduct professional business talks.  Keep the room well lit for the best camera resolution results.   Punctuality and introduction Failure to be on time is extremely disrespectful when video conferencing.  Be on time.  It is polite for each person involved in the conversation to formally introduce themselves one at a time.   Speaking in turn Speaking out of turn is unprofessional in any setting, and video conferencing is no different.  Speak with confidence and assertion, but avoid yelling at the screen.  Not only is it rude, but it looks silly.   Avoid interrupting others while they are speaking.  To assure every concern is addressed, set up an instant messaging portal for live questions.  Speakers can then address concerns immediately without interruption.   Maintain eye contact Maintain eye contact with the camera while video conferencing.  Obviously, it would be weird to stare at the screen for an hour without blinking, so do not get too crazy with it.  Just avoid staring off into nowhere while others are speaking.  Wandering makes a person look disinterested and disrespectful.   Dress professionally It may be that home is the setting for the video conference, but professional dress code should still be observed.  Dressing nice also portrays an attitude of confidence and security in oneself, which is important for women in business.   Manage disruptive noise Keep the background noise to a minimum during a conference call.  Mute the microphone when it is not the time to speak, so others do not hear the comings and goings of your environment.  The dog barking in the background can throw off the rhythm of a meeting very quickly.   Do not eat during a video call Yes, it is very rude to eat during a video conference.  Professionals prefer to handle business directly, without any carnal distractions.  Leave the snacking for lunch breaks. . Images via pixabay and flikr.

Balancing High School And Being a Top Hip Hop Publicist with Lloyd Ellis - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

Balancing High School And Being a Top Hip Hop Publicist with Lloyd Ellis - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career Earlier today I had the chance to sit down with Lloyd Ellis the teen publicist behind some of hip-hop’s biggest names. Lloyd chats with us about how he got into the music industry at a young age and how he does it all while still being in high school. After having this conversation I am amazed at all this young man has accomplished before learning how to drive. Over the course of our conversation we talk about mentorship, consistency, networking, and viral content. How did you first get involved in the hip-hop industry? I’ve always been into music. My older brother Bob put me onto a lot of the early 2000s music. I’d always hear the tunes he and his friends were listening to on car rides to the mall and sometimes I was even lucky enough to accompany my brother in his room as he put his playlists on shuffle. He played a huge role in the development of my interest in music, but what really put it all together was my cousin Tony Loney. I was in seventh grade and just joined Facebook, and I think we all know how much of a nuisance adolescent teens are on social media. I went on a friend-requesting spree, and my cousins were on the top of my list to get connected with. Upon his acceptance, I was quick to message him and catch up. He told me he was managing a Houston-based duo by the name Travis Jason, and I instantly thought they were celebrities. After a bunch of conversations and unreleased music hitting my inbox, we agreed that I’d help manage Travis Jason’s day-to-day necessities alongside T ony. This was back in 20, and I vaguely remember e-mailing record labels such as Young Money, trying to convince them to sign Tony’s group. I did a slew of other things for them promotion wise, certainly not professionally, though. I made a Facebook page for Travis Jason and updated their small fan base with new releases and what not. I’d spam other artist’s posts in the comment section, telling that artist’s fans to check out Travis Jason’s music. I now realize that this tactic was inefficient, because now I have to deal with artists using this strategy to market their presumably unappealing music on the bigger accounts I run. After about a year, the group split and only one member gained relevancy. Travis, who is now world-renowned by his stage-name Travi$ Scott, quickly started making moves. I was along for the ride through his journey towards success, including his signing with Kanye West’s G.O.O.D. Music and T.I.’s Hustle Gang label. In addition to gaining popularity came tons of coverage of Travis’s music on music blogs, and I was really intrigued with the concept of marketing music via the web. I eventually started reaching out to the blogs that covered his music, asking if I could assist in curating content. I landed a gig at an small music blog, however I didn’t like the feeling of just being a contributor and having an editor above me; who would have to approve my articles. Due to this, I made my own website called Triller Than Most where I’d have total control of what was published. This was a great way to leverage my connections with other hip-hop blogs to help market Travis’ music. Travis was continuously padding his resume, and unfortunately fame hit Travis hard and his egotistical ways managed to blast Tony and I out of the picture for illogical reasons. However, this turned out to be a good thing. In regards to how young you are, how did you establish credibility as a publicist at Waka Flocka Flame’s management company, 36BRICKHOUSE? My involvement in the hip-hop blogosphere is really what got me associated with Waka Flocka in the first place. One of his business partners reached out to me via Twitter showing interest in having Waka invest in my brand, Triller Than Most. This was back in the summer of 2013, and I was nothing short of excited and when I found out Waka was going to be in NYC that upcoming November. Unfortunately the dude who reached out wasn’t going to be at that show date, but he still connected me with his road manager so I could at least meet Waka. When I arrived to the Pier 94 in Manhattan, I honestly didn’t know what to expect. The first words that Waka said to me were, “What’s poppin’ Lloyd? I was just on Triller Than Most on the tour bus.” Hearing that was very humbling. Things remained quiet for a few months while we negotiated the logistics of Waka officially being part owner of Triller Than Most, but in the January of 2014 I connected with his team again in Boston. This is where I met my current mentor, Milan Ackerman. He’s the Vice President of 36BRICKHOUSE and seemed intrigued with some of the accomplishments I had under my belt after speaking. Those accomplishments at the time included PR work for DJ/producer KickRaux, when in addition to running my blog, I marketed his music to blogs that’d suite his sound and running his social media. The conversation in the green room that night was short, but very promising. Milan and I conversed a number of times before meeting up once again that following April at the University of Massachusetts in Lowell. Waka Flocka was headlining an event there alongside Big Sean. I was 16 years-old at the time, and little did I know I was about to have my dreams accelerate towards fulfillment real quick. Milan and I spoke privately and he invited me to work for 36BRICKHOUSE, taking me under his wing to show me the ropes of the music industry. From there I began to help run Waka’s Facebook page, as well as some of 36BRICKHOUSE’s smaller clients’ social media. In July of 2014 I coordinated an entire press run in New York City for Waka and his artist Joey Fatts, who has since been removed from the company’s roster due to unforeseen circumstances. We touched media outlets such as Complex Magazine, SiriusXM, Hot 97, among others. This was huge for me and I really can’t thank Milan enough for even letting me get so deeply involved with it all. Who are some of the mentors you found in the industry and what are some of the best pieces of advice you got? Like I stated in the previous question, Milan Ackerman was my mentor. My cousin Tony Loney is also considered one, but he was more of the catalyst to my interest in becoming a part of the music industry. Milan has taught me a lot, but one of the biggest things is to always remain humble. Having an ego can be detrimental to one’s reputation, just look at Travis Scott for example. People don’t respect Travis for his personality, they only respect him for his music and image. I think the best part about working with 36BRICKHOUSE is that they all remain humble and always take an oath to their roots. Waka Flocka is one of the biggest names in hip-hop, but he’ll treat you like any normal human being if you greet him in the streets. A rise to success shouldn’t mean a rise in ego. A big head means less friends and less fans, which means a shortcut to all you have gained. How do you stay relevant in the industry, balance high school, and develop contacts in the media all while living in Western Massachusetts?   Consistency is key to relevancy. That’s why I work very hard to produce the best possible outcomes to the projects I manage. Balancing high school has been a bit of a challenge for me, especially since my mind is typically always thinking ahead to what I have to do when I get home. I find the material I’m forced to learn in school a bit pointless. I think school is more of a disciplinary factor to our lives, and helps us learn that things don’t always come easy. We’re all going to do things that we won’t necessarily enjoy, but you have to work hard in some aspects of your life to please others, achieve life goals, and more importantly, bring home a paycheck. I just have a lot of trouble with finding substance in the things I have to learn, because I don’t have to fight for what I want in life at the moment. I feel trapped in my small town community and I can’t wait to get out of here and to somewhere I can get more exposure in the industry. Western Massachusetts would be a horrible place for me to maximize on opportunities throughout the life of my career, not that I couldn’t, because of the internet, but it would just make networking ten times harder than it already is. What are some of the campaigns you’ve launched for your clients and where do you see yourself in five years? I’ve never referred to the things I’ve done as campaigns, but I’m heavily involved with feeding Waka Flocka’s demographic with content that they’d soak right up. From lions attacking circus trainers, to pictures of kittens cuddling with puppies, to some of the risqué stuff and they love it all. The team recently created a website called WakaVision that I assist with alongside my good friends Ash and Vito of Digital Mavericks. We post up viral content that people generally love. As far as campaigns for marketing music, I’ve done a slew of media placements for 36BRICKHOUSE’s clients including 808 Mafia, Ben G, Azizi Gibson, and a handful of others. I’ll be continuously working with them, most definitely for the next five years. However, I’m not quite sure what’ll come in the next five years, because quite frankly just a year ago I didn’t imagine myself being in the position I’m in now. I’m going to focus on what I have to do in the present and worry about opportunities that come to the table when they get here. I’d like to give a shout out to Milan Ackerman and Brick Bronson, the founder of 36BRICKHOUSE, for helping facilitate my dreams.

What Are Some Common Mistakes When Writing a Resume?

What Are Some Common Mistakes When Writing a Resume?What are some common mistakes when writing a resume? Do you know that writing a resume has to be on a regular basis, if not daily? In fact, the process of writing a resume is just like writing an advertisement - there is still no idea in writing a resume without making mistakes. For example, a person who wants to get a job that will pay well will need to write a resume that will give the employer an idea of his worth as a human being.So, what are some common mistakes when writing a resume? These common mistakes can either be corrected or ignored. If we talk about mistakes, then mistakes are usually made when we are in the process of writing a resume and mistakes do not reflect our skills or work ethics.Firstly, writing resumes is not enough. There are several things to consider when writing a resume. For example, what is the reason for wanting to get a job? The best resume asks the right questions to determine whether a person is wo rthy of employment or not.But what are some common mistakes when writing a resume? Well, there are many but a few of them are: skipping the resume basics; not presenting the most important facts about the applicant's work experience and education; not giving credit to people who helped the applicant get a job; not correcting the applicant's grammar and spelling mistakes; not including a detailed education history of job-related activities. These are just some of the common mistakes when writing a resume.If someone were to ask me, 'What are some common mistakes when writing a resume?' The first one would be to not write your basic information in the right place. Writing a resume should be divided into five parts: 'About Me' (personal details); 'Education' (details about the educational background); 'Work Experience' (details about the applicant's work experience); 'Skills' (details about the applicant's skills), and 'References' (details about references such as the employer's name, job title, company address, etc).Besides, if writing a resume is a daily activity, the applicant should realize that the resume needs to be reviewed and tweaked regularly to ensure it meets with the hiring company's requirements. A person should also review his/her work history as well to ensure that all work history information such as all project assignments, job title, date started, and ending dates should be included.Another common mistake is not selecting the proper format for the resume. For example, some applicants have been known to write their resumes by hand and this would definitely create problems when going to the hiring company.One of the common mistakes when writing a resume is to use only one format. This is a mistake because if an applicant writes the resume using only one format, he/she might end up writing a resume that is extremely different from another person's resume. In other words, there is no such thing as a standard format of resume.

5 Steps to Getting a Bigger Paycheck

5 Steps to Getting a Bigger Paycheck 5 Steps to Getting a Bigger Paycheck Do any of these sound like something you’ve said lately? I’m due for a raise. I’m a top performer and should be paid more. I’m working longer hours than others, so I should be paid more. I’ve been at this pay level for X months/years so it’s time. I believe I’m being paid less than my counterparts. I would be paid more if I worked for another company. While your goal may be to get a better paycheck, there are a few things you should consider before knocking on your boss’ door. There are really two forces that drive pay increases: 1) Market price or what you are worth in the market, and (2) Internal value or what you are worth to your company. Let’s parse the way those forces can play out. Market price scenario: For example, if the demand for dental technicians in your city is hot, then your company may feel the pressure to pay 5% more to retain their talent. Market price scenario: The market price for a software engineer with 5 years’ experience should be higher than one with 2 or 3 years’ experience. Internal value scenario: In this example, you may have taken on more responsibilities or increased your job “scope.” You may be managing more people, more dollars, processing more transactions, serving a wider geography. Any of these could be topics for the pay increase conversation with your manager. Internal value scenario: For example, you are a project manager who brings in a particularly difficult project on time, under budget, and earn the company substantially larger profits. This may be a case for targeting higher pay. Many companies share their compensation strategies and policies in internal human resources educational materials so be sure to learn all you can before walking in your boss’s office asking for a raise! Ask your human resources manager where you can learn more. You’re already being paid for your great performance. Just because you’re working harder, better, faster doesn’t mean automatic pay increases in most companies. Although the media reports and high-level analysis show that there is an overall pay disparity between women and men, do not immediately assume that you are being paid less than your male counterparts. There are many factors behind the pay of each individual and comparing yourself to others around you is a failing proposition. Take these steps to prepare yourself to ask for â€" and justify â€" your next compensation increase. Know your market value. There are two public websites that have great data. Glassdoor.com and PayScale.com. Search for your type of job in your city and within your industry or company. Collect, organize, then summarize what you collect and save the links to the information. Some publicly-posted job descriptions provide pay information, as well, so check out Indeed.com or Monstor.com to find similar positions. Know your company’s target range of pay versus market rate. A worker’s pay can vary quite a lot and still be “at the market price.” Companies often target the median or 50th percentile market pay. Other companies target 80-90% and some are as low as 25% of market. What market percentile a company should target is their business decision and not one you should try to debate; just be aware that there are wide variations. Collect the data if you can; you’ll be better prepared. Determine your “bigger paycheck” strategy: Are you asking for a promotion increase tied to taking on more responsibility that is quantifiable? Are you asking for a cost-of-living-adjustment (COLA) since inflation and/or the Consumer Price Index (CPI) has increased substantially in your city? Are you asking for a pay increase in your current role based on market data that you have collected? Have you gone above-and-beyond and can quantify how you earned your company better results (e.g. cost-savings, more revenue, greater customer satisfaction, etc.)? Prepare for the conversation with your manager Be accountable for owning the discussion, from beginning to end. Don’t “wing it” or assume your manager will take your request and run with it. Prepare your outline and even write out a script, if necessary. There is nothing wrong with going into the meeting with your research and an outline of what you want to say. Apply the “Law of 3s” â€" limit your main points to 3 items. Keep repeating them, if necessary, to really drive your main points home. Ask for a dedicated 30-minute meeting with your manager to talk about your career. Be positive, show commitment to the company, your role, your manager. Do not say anything negative, don’t play the victim, or point to others around you who have been promoted or gotten increases. Be confident. Don’t apologize for taking their time or bothering them since, “They are very busy.” This is your time. Sit up, smile, and dive in to your agenda. Don’t start the meeting on business stuff, task reviews, or an update on something else. You will lose precious time. Bring in a summary of the research you did. Don’t overwhelm them with too much paperwork. LISTEN! Ask open-ended questions such as, “Do you have any questions about what I shared?” “Do you have any feedback for me about this proposal?” “Do you need any additional information?” Close with next steps (do not expect a commitment today!): “I realize you need time to think about this and review with others. May I set up a follow up meeting in 2 weeks on this?” Even if they do say an increase is not possible at this time, ask if you can follow up in 2 months to continue the conversation. The bottom line is that you have C-H-O-I-C-E-S. This is my favorite word as a career coach. Only you can decide what path you take your career and if it’s a fair “deal” to remain in your current role. Some basic options are: Stay in this position at this pay level. Ask for a pay increase. Apply for higher-paying roles within your company. Seek another job outside your company; just don’t quit before you land one! Join Dana Manciagli’s Job Search Master Class ® right now and immediately access the most comprehensive job search system currently available!

Tips to Consider When Going for a Job Interview - CareerAlley

Tips to Consider When Going for a Job Interview - CareerAlley We may receive compensation when you click on links to products from our partners. Job interviews areone of the most stressful situations. And given the difficulty ofscoring an interview, you want to make the right impression as soon as you meet the hiring manager. Suggested Reading:Job Interview Tips Dress to Impress but dont Stand Out While most companies have relaxed their dress codeto business casual, its ok to wear a suit to impress. However, if the standard attire is jeans and sneakers, dont show up in a suit and tie. The general rule is to dress one or two levels higher than the job. You should not worry about being overdressed. There is a delicate balance between being too made up and dressing too casual. Avoid skirts that are too short or tight. Carry a jacket just in case you decide that business casual is too casual. Ensure your shoes are polished and not scuffed Dont put onexcessive perfumeor after shave (less is more). Google the firms dress policy or leverage LinkedIn to check with people you know or who might know people who work in that same company. Be on Time There is nothing worse than being late for an interview. Sometimes stuff happens, but leave yourself extra time to arrive on time. Try to make a dry run to the interview location the day before. This way you will know how long it takes to get there and will already be familiar with the area. Leave time to check in at the security desk. This can sometimes take a very long time (making you late for the interview). Dont arrive too early. Hiring managers have their day scheduled, arriving too early is not wise. Dont Arrive Empty Handed Make sure you have everything you need to be prepared. Bring several copies of your resume. The hiring manager may not have one printed when you arrive. Bring extra copies inthe event you meet additional people. Bring a pad and paper. You maywant to take notes during the interview. This will also help to show that you are serious about the opportunity. While you may be asked if you would like something to drink, bring a bottle of water in case you get dry mouth. Dont be Too Casual Remember, you are not meeting a buddy, you are interviewing for a job. While some of these points may seem obvious, just in case . . . . Dont chew gum during the interview. Turn off your cellphone (and certainly dont take it out during the interview). Dont look at your watch. Dont forget to smile. Make eye contact with the interviewer. Firm handshakes are great, but dont try to crush the interviewers hand (likewise, limp is not good either). Dont try to make any jokes, everyone has a different view on what is funny (and you want to be professional). Be Prepared Take the time to properly prepare for the interview. Do your homework. Have a full understanding of the company, where they fit in their industry and why this would be a good fit for you. Leverage LinkedIn to get some inside information on the interviewer and corporate culture. Google the company to see if anyone has posted typical interview questions. Prepare your own questions (and ask). Be prepared to provide specific examples that demonstrate your experience or skills. Be Balanced in Your Remarks Dont speak badly about your current (or former) company or managers. If you are unemployed, dont say that you were fired or asked to leave if possible. Dont askabout compensation in the early rounds. If you are asked about your expectations,know your worth in the currentmarketplace and what indicate a salary that is in the upper range (but not more than 10% to 20%above what you are currently earning). Career Tip of the Day:5 Interview Resources for Your Job Search Marketing Toolkit We are always eager to hear from our readers. Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions or suggestions regarding CareerAlley content. Good luck in your search,Joey Google+ what where job title, keywords or company city, state or zip jobs by What's next? Ready to take action? Choose the right tools to help you build your career. Looking for related topics? Find out how to nail the interview and get hired. Subscribe and make meaningful progress on your career. It’s about time you focused on your career. Get Educated Contact Us Advertise Copyright 2020 CareerAlley. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy + Disclosure home popular resources subscribe search