Off to the interview
Dress for success
Looking your professional best for interviews does not happen on its own. Planning, and budgeting to look the part will assist in landing your dream job. If what you want to wear has been in your wardrobe for more then 3 years you need to ask yourself “Do I feel 100% confident in this outfit?”
What do the leaders and role models of the industry you have chosen wear? Dress not for now but for the position you want to have in 5 years.
A few tips for women:
- Your wardrobe should include a well fitting skirt, and elegant top or a smart suit, pantyhose, leather bag, nice folder, quality pen, & court shoes
- If you hair is not right, you wont look good in any outfit regardless of how hard you try. Keep it neat and find the style that works for you
- You can tell a professional by her hands. Visit a manicure salon or do your own
- Less is more with accessories. Anything that dangles or moves distracts your interviewer
- Review yourself, and leave your front door feeling like a million dollars as it will show through in the interview!
A few tips for men:
- Your wardrobe should include a well fitting suit, quality shirt, silk tie, leather organiser, good pen, gold or silver watch, long socks, and leather shoes
- The width of your tie should be in proportion to your body, and the bottom of your tie should just touch the belt buckle for the correct look
- At least 1cm of cuff needs to show from the jacket sleeve. Same goes for the shirt collar that should be visible from the jacket at the back of the neck
- Have enough length in your trousers so that the hem just brushes the heel of the shoe
- Scuffed, discoloured, or dirty shoes will cost you the job – the devil is in the detail
Interview techniques / tips
Surviving a job interview…..it’s all in the preparation. Preparation can make the difference between landing the job of your dreams and getting rejected. Job interviewing can be a very daunting and nerve-racking experience. Here are a few tips on how to not only survive the experience, but make it a successful occasion as well.
Do your research!
- What would you be doing on the job? Know as much as you can about the duties of the position you have applied for by re-reading the ad and pay attention to the selection criteria
- What do they do? Find out the companies products, services, and points of difference
- Who are they? You must visit all company websites before the interview paying particular attention to the about us, locations, contacts, and history tabs
What do I take?
- A copy of the application you made including cover letter and resume
- Qualifications, school records and levels attained
- Any certificates or awards relevant to the job
- Written references if you have them as well as contact numbers
- Compile all of the above in a neat vinyl folder with clear plastic pockets
Preparation!
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Double check the address of the building
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Plan your trip in advance checking timetables, parking, and directions
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If in doubt, do a trial run and time yourself getting there
Practice the answers to questions the employer may ask such as:
- Why does this job interest you?
- Have you had any work experience in this type of work?
- Which of your school subjects interested you the most?
- How do you feel about working as part of a team?
- What are your long term career plans?
Prepare and rehearse your own questions to the employer such as:
- What are my long term career prospects?
- What training will I receive?
- What further study could I do?
- Who would I be working with?
I have arrived….what now?
The actual interview can be quite scary, especially if you’re very nervous and not feeling very confident. The key here is to calm your nerves, and plan your entry.
- Arrive ten minutes early – Gather your thoughts and check your appearance, make sure your mobile is off
- Introduce yourself to the receptionist giving your name, time of appointment, and the name of the person interviewing you
- Greet the interviewer and introduce yourself
- Smile and be ready to shake hands
- Try to sit still, don’t fidget, fiddle, chew gum, or use your mobile phone
- Maintain eye contact, and answer questions honestly and politely
- At the end of the interview, politely thank the employer for their time
- As soon as you leave, evaluate your own performance and what you may have learned to help for future interviews
- Good luck, and now we wait!
Starting work
It took a lot of effort to get the job, so make the most of it and enjoy your new working environment. Wear your most appropriate favourite outfit on the first day. It will make you feel good, stand tall, and your confidence will infect those around you. Plan your trip to allow plenty of time to get to work, and make sure you eat a proper breakfast so you’re not looking for an opportunity to duck out and grab something mid – morning.
First day tips:
- Take a notepad and pen. Take a diary. Make notes of peoples names.
- Wear your most conservative outfit to start off, until you figure out what’s appropriate and what isn’t
- Remember why they hired you in the first place. Smile, be positive, make eye contact, and greet new colleagues with a firm handshake. First Impressions!
- You’re unlikely to be asked to do any real work on your first day. Whatever you are asked to do, make sure you give it your all
- Everyone you meet from the receptionist to the boss should receive the same impression of you – polite and respectful. Try not to accidentally rub anyone the wrong way on your first day
- It can be quite common to be left in a corner on your first day. Feel free to ask advice, search your employers intranet, and read induction manuals
- Beware the office gossip leader. There’s always someone who wants to tell you what a dump you’ve come to. Be cautious of anyone trying to be too friendly until you have a proper idea of the office politics.
- Never talk about how bad your last company was, and be discreet in what you say. Who wants to work with someone who complains and is negative all the time?
- On your first day try and volunteer for something like doing a coffee run, changing the water cooler, or putting paper in the printer. Show that you’re willing.
- Try as quickly as you can to understand the unwritten rules like can you answer personal mobile calls, access your web mail, or check facebook.
- Lastly, in the early days show you’re committed by being the last to go to lunch and the first to return. On occasions try to be the last one to leave at night
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