Job Interview

Do:

Prepare, prepare, prepare!

• Schedule the interview in the morning if possible
• Get a good night’s sleep
• Eat breakfast
• Be on time. Better yet be 10 minutes early.
• Do a practice run with a friend

Research the company

• Know the specific position you are applying for
• Plan you answer to “Where do you want to be in five years?”
• Bring copies of any relevant papers and reference info (make sure your reference knows they may be contacted about you and what job you are interviewing for)

Sell yourself

• Make eye contact
• Relax
• Speak clearly
• Listen
  

Wear pants (or a skirt. But please do not wear shorts.)

• Dress the part
• Be clean, well put together and presentable
• Turn off your cell phone

Focus on what you can do for the employer, not what they can do for you

• Ask questions!
• Try to get contact info for the people interviewing you
• Ask about follow-up
• Follow up with a “Thank You” note.

Don’t

Show up with a bad appearance

• Dress sexy
• Wear bright colors. Research suggests dark colors are better
• Wear too much perfume.
• Show up smelling of smoke.
• Show up drunk or high!

Be late

• Show up knowing nothing about the company or and/or position
• Offer a limp, weak handshake
• Look sloppy
• Mumble
• Play with your hair

Have an attitude

• Speak negatively about your former boss
• Don’t be too casual, address anyone as “dude” or “bro”
• Say “No” when the interviewer asks “Do you have any questions for me?”
• Slouch
• Fidget
• Lie or make excuses
• Brag
• Chew gum
• Answer your phone
• Check Facebook
• Tweet
• Swear
• Interrupt
• Use slang, like, “you know?” “Whatever.”