Preparation

How and what to prepare for your interview

Your objective is to take yourself one step further toward generating that job offer. You can do that by doing your very best in each and every interview.

Before you go through the actual interview, a mock interview could greatly improve your performance. This is vital as no matter how much you actually plan your interview/answers, it rarely goes the way you imagine it. Where do you do a mock interview? Nearly every college campus offers access to a career counselor who can take you through a interview coaching, or a 'Mock Interview'; even though less than 5% of all students take advantage of interview coaching. Most students who don't use this free Interview coaching, start receive rejection letters before they realize they didn't do as well as they thought they had. Career counselors offer feedback on how you could improve your interview performance and what you're doing wrong, whereas a rejection letter/notice, merely states that you failed.

Treat every interview as your last and as your only opportunity to convince them that you are the right person for the position. Although there may be several interviews before the eventual offer, you must end each interview positively. As soon as you know that you have an interview, try to list all of your good skills/feats, as this will be extremely helpful when asked questions on persona/ interest in the job/company/industry etc. Also, make sure you're prepared for surprise questions; as these could make or break your interview success.

Question Preparation is not the only thing you must ensure. There is a dress code for interviews; regardless of the applied job/positions' dress code/ uniform. Here is a list of what is 'best' on attendance of the interview;

Men and Women

• Conservative two-piece business suit (solid dark blue or grey is best)
• Conservative long-sleeved shirt/blouse (white is best, pastel is next best)
• Clean, polished conservative shoes
• Well-groomed hairstyle
• Clean, trimmed fingernails
• Minimal cologne or perfume
• Empty pockets--no bulges or tinkling coins
• No gum, candy or cigarettes
• Light briefcase or portfolio case
• No visible body piercing (nose rings, eyebrow rings, etc.)

Men

• Necktie should be silk with a conservative pattern
• Dark shoes (black lace-ups are best)
• Dark socks (black is best)
• Get a haircut; short hair always fares best in interviews
• No beards (unless you are interviewing for a job as a lumberjack!)
• Mustaches are a possible negative, but if you must, make sure it is neat and trimmed
• No rings other than wedding ring or college ring
• No earrings (if you normally wear one, take it out)

Women

• Always wear a suit with a jacket; no dresses
• Shoes with conservative heels
• Conservative hosiery at or near skin color (and no runs!)
• No purses, small or large; carry a briefcase instead
• If you wear nail polish (not required), use clear or a conservative color
• Minimal use of makeup (it should not be too noticeable)
• No more than one ring on each hand
• One set of earrings only

Next:

• Phone Interviews
  How to achieve that perfect phone interview(s)

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