Are you ready to take the next step in your career? Have you identified a job opening in your current company or are you working with a headhunter or searching job boards for your next opportunity? Either way, putting your strongest foot forward once you land an interview is key to landing the job. Take the time and do the research on the company, hiring manager and industry. Throughout your research you’ll not only begin to formulate a picture of this company, and questions you may have for the hiring manager, but will also begin to ascertain whether this is a company for which you’d like to work.
Identify the location of the job interview. If time permits, drive by the location from the same origination as you’ll be leaving on the day of the interview. If you’re lucky enough to see staff coming and going, take note of their attire. Are they dress like bankers or runners or somewhere in between? Make a decision on what you’ll wear to the interview. You only have one opportunity to make a first impression. Take advantage of the great savings offered by Groupon coupons and head to Ashley Stewart for smart styles worthy of an interview. Classic selections are always recommended over flashy and trendy. Tone down the prints and bling as well as make-up and hair style. No need to go completely conservative, just save the uber bohemian or radical for the weekend. You want to be remembered for what you said and how you said it, not the inappropriate outfit you selected. Remember that the most important thing to wear to an interview is a genuine smile and quiet self-confidence.
Finally, remember that interviewing is a two way street. Use that quiet self- confidence to ask questions and determine if this is a place you’d like to work. Does the job description from the hiring manager match up to what you’ve learned from the job boards or recruiter? Are there continuing career opportunities with this company? Get answers to these questions and you’ll be in a strong position to respond to an offer. Good luck to you!
