Go to a job interview or job fair with great style and a proper attitude
By Flora Ketchum
Comment Staff
Spring job fairs and interviews are right around the corner. Whether you are an undergraduate looking for a summer position or a senior about to graduate, interviews at those great opportunities are waiting. Make sure you are prepared to nail that interview you have been working so hard to get.
There are a few different things to consider when preparing for a job interview, so make sure you follow these steps to succeed.
First and foremost, know where you are going. Don’t leave yourself just enough time to get there and then realize you have to walk four blocks from where you parked, realize it’s at the companies other location, or worst of all have your GPS fail you. Know ahead of time. Practice getting there or at least leave yourself a huge gap of time just in case.
When preparing to go to a job interview, have a portfolio. When you walk into that interview all you should have is yourself, your portfolio, and a pen or two.
This is usually common sense, but if you are attending a job fair or job interview make sure you are dressing appropriate.
It is always safe to ask a roommate or friend their opinion on your attire or ask them how you could look more professional.
When dressing for a job interview, it doesn’t matter who you are, or what your style normally is. You need to dress professional in accordance to the job you are interviewing for. Classic business professional is the look you are going for.
Make sure you are not walking into a interview with a bright yellow raincoat, or a big puffy down jacket. If it happens to be raining buckets that day, do yourself a favor and invest in a nice waterproof trench coat.
Always keep the shoes simple, dressy and comfortable. Ladies, stray away from heels over two inches, as well as knee high boots. Keep it simple with a nice black, or nude heel or even a nice simple, plain ballet flat. You don’t want to be stumbling in to your interviewer’s office.
Keep the accessories simple. This goes for men and women. Leave that casual sport watch at home, try finding a nice leather banded or silver watch somewhere reasonable. Wearing a watch is going to make you look the part, as well as help you fight the urge of looking at your phone.
This leads into things not to do at an interview.
Everything should stay in your car except you, the clothes you have on, and your portfolio. Do not wear a hat, headphones, your purple winter coat, or anything of that nature. Do not bring a drink with you, including coffee or water. Do not chew gum. Most importantly, just relax.
When in the interview, make sure to have a firm handshake, have prior knowledge of who you are speaking with and the company, sit tall for good posture and of course smile.
Try not to fidget, cross your arms, or use too many hand gestures. Try not to focus on all of the generic answers you have been reading online. Focus on you and who you are and why you want the job. Be sincere and genuine when answering questions.
All in all when going into a job interview, dress the part, act and be professional the entire time, and save the creative, and colorful outfits for when you know you have the job.
Flora Ketchum is a Comment staff writer. Email her at fketchum@student.bridgew.edu.
