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