To prepare for a job interview is your opportunity to make a great first impression! You may have the qualifications and skills they are after, but how you do in an interview can determine if you get a job offer or not.
A great interview can also result in you being selected over other applicants. Coming in with a positive attitude, confidence, and making eye contact will set you apart from the rest!
How you look when you show up for a job interview speaks volumes about you and your sincerity. Depending on the job, you may be fine to show up in blue jeans and a nice shirt.
Business or career casual clothes are usually a safe choice, that is acceptable by most employers. Prepare for a job interview with these suggestions:
Examples of how to dress for a job interview
For both women and men, a blazer, like the ones in the pictures provides a professional look to your appearance.
Shoes, a dress shirt, business pants, (or business dress), and a tie completes your overall career attire.
If you are unsure exactly what to select, try a personal shopper.
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Be Aware
Don't be surprised if there is more than one person at the job interview. Make eye contact with each of them and shake their hands. If there is more than one open chair to pick from, select a centralized location. The goal is to be able to interact with each of them at various times. When you are asked a question by one of them, reply directly back to that individual.
Here are a few tips for a productive interview:
Learn about the Business
Do your homework and learn about the business. Look beyond what they do and what they offer. A few areas to learn are:
When you can interject some of that information into the conversation, it shows you know about the business and want to be a part of what it offers.
Since one of the key questions in most interviews is what do you know about us, this is a great way of how to prepared you are for the interview!
Don't memorize numbers or focus on financials, focus on why you want to be a part of their organization. For example, you may love the way they help the environment, how they give back to the community, or the quality of their products. If you use their products, let them know it!
Practice Talking in Front of the Mirror or Video Recorder
When going into a job interview, you may feel self-conscious and nervous. The goal is to be ready for it so you can talk to them and appear confident. Part of how to prepare for an interview is to practice.
Practice talking in front of the mirror or record yourself to review. Don't be overly critical but do focus on what you see. If you aren't making eye contact, you need to strive to do so at the job interviews. If you rush to answer job interview questions, practice taking a breath in and out and then talking at a normal pace. The more you practice, the more natural you will appear during a job interview. You CAN do this!
Work with a professional to practice an interview. It is always to your advantage to prepare for a job interview, with a friend that will provide helpful feedback from a mock interview. With their guidance, you can avoid common mistakes.