Rule of Engagement #5: Preparing for the interview! (Part I)

One little story, yesterday I decided to go the the salon to get my hair, nails, and feet done.  I was talking to the stylist and I told her that I was getting ready for an interview.  After a little while she asked at what time was my interview and I told her that I did not have any scheduled.  She looked me with puzzled eyes and I told her that if I applying for jobs then I need to be ready to interview.  You know, acting by faith.  

So, let's talk about Rule of Engagement #5: Preparing for the interview!

"Preparing" is sort of difficult because you won't know the interviewer's style or the questions that they may throw at you.  So here are some tips that I consider important in view of my experience interviewing people.

Tip # 1 - Read your Resume many times.

You have a Resume and you have send it to several employers. Read it time and time again so that you are sure that it is accurate, that maybe you need to tell the interviewer about anything new that you have done or accomplished since they received your Resume. Provide them with an updated copy with the new information.  More important, read it so that you remember what you wrote.  A blank stare after a question that relates to information in your Resume is not good.

Tip # 2 - Read about the company

With the Internet, the doors to understand a company's culture, goals, mission, vision, and way of doing business are open to job seekers.   Not researching and getting to know your potential employer is not acceptable and almost unforgivable.  Get to know the company, look around their Websites, find out who are the top players, their customers, and understand the mission and vision.  Be prepared to answer questions but also be ready to ask intelligent questions about the company.  That will highly impress the interviewer. 

Tip # 3 - Appearance

Clothing

Understand the type of work that you are applying to do.  For example, it would be odd to show up to the interview wearing a suit if the position that you are applying for is for a construction laborer.  The same, it would be odd that you show up in jeans for a business management position.  Prepare your clothing, tight in the buttons, have it well pressed. Even if you will wear jeans.  Clean cut appearance is universal, it does not matter what type of job you are interviewing for.  

If you want to win cents, do not use scent!

With more and more companies selecting to be fragrance free due to many employees (including the hiring managers) having chemical sensitivities and fragrance allergies you don't want to jeopardize the success of your interview by making your potential co-workers or managers uncomfortable. So DO NOT use fragrances (including perfumes, colognes, deodorants, hair products, even cloth softeners.)  Don't think that I am too extreme, using any type of scent may cost you a great job. 

Personal hygiene

Oily or messy heir, not good. Too much makeup, with intense color that may be associated with clowns, not good. Bad breath, not good. Chewing gum, not good. Sweaty appearance, not good unless it is an outside job and they know that you are going to interview right after work because they cannot accommodate you at any other time.  Also, please shave or groom your facial hair. 

OK, we are good for today. 

Next time Rule of Engagement #5: Preparing for the interview! (Part II)

-Time, location, and what not to do before the interview.