Job Interview Dressing Tips

Posted on September 6th, 2008

It’s time to head for the interview and you have one question. What is the job interview dressing code? Yes. Everyone has that same doubt. Should you be too formal? Should you just be yourself? Should you portray yourself as a happy-go-lucky character and dress as you please? Ear rings, nose rings, tattoos and other stuff that has been your style statement ?should they come off? Would you make more of an impression if you stood out from the rest of the crowd? Yes. These are some questions that plague many people. Dressing for the interview is a big issue and many get stuck at this critical area.

The answer is actually quite simple. The job interview being a formal meeting between people who are assessing each other’s capability and fit to work together in a professional environment, the dress code must obviously tilt to the formal. Prepare for it with all the seriousness it requires because you need to create an impression on the employers that you are a serious, responsible and resourceful kind of a person. Now that means that the casual look or the worn out look is out. It means that the conservative look is what you need to work at. Even if you were going for an interview as an odd job man or a part time summer job, it will surely make a difference if you go to the interview dressed formally. One rule that most human resource people advocate is that one must dress as if one is going to the interview of a job one notch higher than what one actually is.

The point of packaging yourself well is to leave behind an impression of your personality. Nothing does as much as the clothes you wear, the perfume you wear and the colors you wear. With conservative colors and clothes you are in the safe zone with most people whereas a daring fashionable look could just disqualify you for too much attitude of the wrong kind. Some of the things that are to be avoided are too much jewellery, bright colored clothes, nail polish, bad nails, skirts that are too short and clothes that are too tight, accessories that are too colorful or floral, inappropriate shoes, bare legs, collarless shirts etc. They just go to prove that you do not really care about the job and all you are worried is about your attitude, which may not be a great advertisement for someone who is looking for a congenial colleague.

Now what is it that you must wear? Colors that score in conservatism are the traditional blue and gray. Blacks and browns are fine as well but score lower than blue and gray. Whatever the job is remember organizations do want disciplined, professional, responsible people in their jobs and it is best that you reflect that in your attire and attitude. Sober colored collared shirts, tie and jacket (if dress code is casual you could ignore the tie).

If you are still unsure, it does make sense to call and ask beforehand what the dress code is and then dress appropriately. Good luck and make a good impression!

Yulin Peng is a recruiting researcher and the owner of http://www.job-employment-guide.com. Please visit his site for more free employment tips.

Tags: dressing for interview., interview dress, job intervew tips, job interview dressing
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How To Prepare For A Job Interview

Posted on August 25th, 2008

So you have the call letter for a job interview in your mail. Get going and do your homework done immediately. Find out all about the company, the job you applied for, the competitors, the products and all other relevant information by browsing the Internet, company literature, the annual report. Get the facts in your application right. If you perceive a weak area be prepared with convincing answers - if you spend enough time on it, you will find some. There is no reason why you should not be able to answer any question about you if you are prepared.

While preparing for the interview, get your perspective right. Pitch in hard for the job by showing your best side. By showing a good learning attitude and displaying qualities such as team spirit, ability to communicate well, ability to take upon responsibility and to think independently, you will make a positive impression on employers.

All your preparation for the job interview will pay because the interviewer will instantly know how serious you are about the job. One thing about preparation is that it shows in small ways. It is as simple as a layman who can make out the difference between a performing artist on the stage who has prepared and one who has not.

Once you have packed your soft skills well it is time for you to make the best physical impression. Dress well in clothes and colors that suit you (in conservative shades). Some clothes make you feel more confident than the others, so get those clothes out. Dress like a thorough professional in business clothes. Get your hair, beard, fingernails etc done. Use colognes or perfumes that are subtle and not too loud. Check your papers and leave for your interview early to avoid any unforeseen traffic delays etc. Land up at the venue early, relax and enjoy the process.

Be prepared to answer all the regular questions that interviewers ask such as why you want the job, something about yourself, how you fared in your last job, your strengths and weaknesses, why you think you are good fro this job, how you would be contributing to the job, why you want to work for the company, what you know about the company and the industry, whether you will be willing to travel, what is the salary you expect etc. Similarly be ready with your own set of questions about the organization. You may want to know your growth prospects, the hierarchy, job responsibilities, company’s future plans, company’s expectations from your job, training and other such questions.

Do not forget to ask about when they will decide on your interview results. Practice all the questions in front of a mirror or have someone ask you the questions while you answer.

Prepare your entry into the room as well. Walk in confidently but without being brash or overly aggressive. Smile, wish everybody, shake hands firmly and warmly. Speak clearly. Look at the entire interview panel in the eyes. Sit straight, be relaxed (not too loose and not too stiff). Keep your legs together (don’t shake them nervously), bend slightly forward (show receptivity, no slouching), use your hands if you wish to be more expressive etc. Do not say negative things, do not lie or fib (its simpler to say that you don’t know the answer), do not speak too fast or unclearly, do not drop names, make excuses, speak badly of ex-employers etc. Please switch off your mobile phones, do not smoke, do not be aggressive. Or shy.

Concentrate on what the interviewers are saying, ask them to repeat themselves politely if you have not understood the question, smile and be relaxed and confident. At the end of the interview thank the interviewers for their time and ask them the next step in the hiring process. Shake hands firmly, smile and make eye contact with everyone. Follow up the interview with thank you letters to the interviewers and a call at the appropriate time to know the decision regarding your interview. But with all this preparation, there is a good chance that you would have bagged the job already.

Good luck!

Yulin Peng is a recruiting researcher and the owner of http://www.job-employment-guide.com. Please visit his site for more free employment tips.

Tags: how to prepare for a job interview, job interview, job interview dressing, job interview tips
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