It is helpful if you search the company beforehand and research what types of clothes their employees can usually be found wearing. If their website is covered in employees wearing suits and dresses, then business professional is the way to go. If they can be found in a more casual look then it is okay to dress down a bit. If you can’t decide or are unable to investigate what the companies dress code is, then business professional is the best bet. It is always better to dress up than it is to dress down.
Whichever you decide, make it appropriate. No low-cut shirts or holes with jeans. Shirts should always be either short sleeve or long sleeve and pants should have a clean fit to them. Shoes wise, it is always best to wear close-toed shoes. If you are going to have accessories, make sure they simple and minimal.
Read more on what not to wear, what to wear for any type of interview, and other tips for interview looks
When planning for an interview you need to be well prepared. First, make sure you know where you are going. A popular tip for this is to travel to the place where you will be interviewing ahead of time and planning out your route so when it comes to the big day, you know exactly where you are going and there will be no chance of you getting lost.
You should also bring copies of your resume, cover letter, reference list, portfolio, etc. Whatever paperwork you used to apply for the job is paperwork you should bring a copy of, and more than one. Have at least two copies readily available, one for you and one for the interviewer. This will show that you are well prepared and organized, important qualities to have in the work force.
You should also do some research on the company beforehand. Be well prepared to fully know who the company is, what they do, and who they service. This will only benefit you in the long run, especially if you get hired.
Practice practice practice! If you have a friend of family member who could practice giving you interview questions, when it comes time for the real thing you won’t feel as awkward or unsure of yourself. Plan out answers to the most common questions such as
- Tell me about yourself
- What are your biggest strengths and weaknesses?
- Why do you want to work here?
- Why should we hire you?
You should already have an outline of your answers to these popular questions, but at the same time, don’t make it too scripted. A few bullet points in mind will help you get started and you can formulate a response from there.
Read about 46 Common Interview Questions and how to answer!
You should make sure to answer questions in a well thought out manner but also don’t ramble on too long, give about two to five minutes per answer.
Be sure to be prepared for any type of question, especially if you are applying for a job that requires you have experience in certain specialties such as welding, or a teaching license. These are just some of the most popular questions but do not expect to hear them at every interview, every job opportunity is different, and every interview won’t be formatted the same way. But using these as a guide will prepare you to develop answers for almost any question.
In the end, BE YOURSELF! A company wants to get to know you in their interview, so stay true to yourself and the rest will fall in line.
Not only should you be prepared for the questions that the interviewer may ask you, but you should have at least two to three questions of your own! These can be asked during or after an interview but are most common at the end. You should NEVER leave an interview without asking at least one question.
Some sample questions are:
- What does a typical day look like?
- What are immediate projects you need done?
- What types of skills are you looking to hire?
- Where do you see this company in the next few years?
Read more about 51 Great Questions to Ask in an Interview
Not only should you thank the interviewer at the end of an interview, but you should follow up with a thank you as well. Whether that be an email, a card, or some other means of communication. You should reach out the same day of your interview or a day or two after, but this should be done fairly close to the day of your interview.
A quick “Thank you for your time and consideration, I look forward to speaking with you soon” will go a long way, and it’ll help you stand out!