Interview Do's and Don'ts

You have worked diligently, sent your resume out, used a recruiting agency, done everything you can, and know you finally have that interview. The interview is how you separate yourself from other candidates that are being considered. That is why it is important that your interviews go off without a hitch.  Some of the most common do’s and don’ts are outlined below.

You absolutely MUST prepare for the interview. Not all interviews are the same, and it is important that you realize this. Yes, many interviews are similar in nature, but they are not all the same.  In all honesty, it depends on the job that you are being interviewed for and the employer in question.  Instead of assuming that your job interview will be just like the last one, you are advised to expect something different, to help keep you on your toes.  Be familiar with the company; check out their website extensively before hand.

Another thing that you will want to do is practice for your interview.  As it was previously mentioned, many job interviews are similar in nature, despite being a little bit different.  They are often similar based on some of the basic questions that are asked. For instance, some of those questions may be centered on your professional goals, your need to succeed, and so on.  No matter how prepared you are for these questions, they can be difficult to answer in the moment. That is why you do want to prepare for your interview by doing a few practice runs, preferably with a friend or a relative.

When and employer ask questions in an interview they are trying to gain insight into you, your life, and your work habits.  When responding to questions that you are asked or even when just making conversation, it is advised that you keep everything professional in nature. What you do not want to do is divulge too much information about your personal life.  For instance, employers do not need to know how old you are or if you have any children.  Also, do not badmouth any of your previous employers or bosses, as this will tend to make you look bad yourself.

When going for a job interview, it is important that you are properly dressed. What you do not want to do is wear jeans, sweatpants, or clothing that is too revealing.  To increase your chances of getting a job, you want to look professional for your job interview.  This not only includes your clothing, but your appearance as well. If you need to put on makeup or get a hair cut, go ahead and do so.  It is important to dress conservatively, if your “best suit” is purple, leave it at home, stick with the basics, blue or black.  When looking to hire a new employee, many employers want someone who can represent the company in a positive matter.  That is why it is important that you do place at least a little bit of focus on your appearance.

Since the interview process is what is often the deciding factor in whether or not you are hired, you will want to make sure that your interview is one that is memorable, and in a good way.  To do that, you will want to keep the above mentioned job interview do’s and don’ts in mind.