Job Interview

[Renegnicat]

I have a job interview set for tommorrow at 3:00 in the afternoon. I've had interviews before, but in general, I fared badly. I was wondering if any of you guys had any general advice for me to follow? I plan on showering the night and morning before. I have a beard, but I'll shave it down to a goatee, and in general I'll be wearing calvin klein khaki's(dark blue) and a dark colored, vertically striped dress shirt with tie. I also plan on buying new dress shoes(I don't have any.)

So, perhaps I have the dress part down. But what types of questions might I be expected to answer? It's an office type environment, if that helps.

[McQ]

I have a job interview set for tommorrow at 3:00 in the afternoon. I've had interviews before, but in general, I fared badly. I was wondering if any of you guys had any general advice for me to follow? I plan on showering the night and morning before. I have a beard, but I'll shave it down to a goatee, and in general I'll be wearing calvin klein khaki's(dark blue) and a dark colored, vertically striped dress shirt with tie. I also plan on buying new dress shoes(I don't have any.)

So, perhaps I have the dress part down. But what types of questions might I be expected to answer? It's an office type environment, if that helps.

Lots of dos and don'ts. Mostly, be professional, no matter what. I've been on both sides of the desk, having interviewed for jobs and having hired many people. What turned me off to people was:

Not knowing about my company/the job they were interviewing for. Not doing their homework.

Being overly casual in appearance or demeanor. Slouching in the chair was a killer for several people I interviewed.

Not asking me (the interviewer) questions. It is your chance to find out things, appear interested and engaged. Don't blow it!

Not following up with a note of some kind afterward. I felt that if you really wanted the job you should immediately follow up thanking me for the interview and putting in another plug for yourself.

Eye contact. Make it. Firm handshake. Do it.

Speech. Be eloquent, but not ridiculous. Don't mumble.

Be on time or early. If you're late, you're out.

Prepare.

Prepare.

Prepare.

Be ready to answer simple things like why you want the position, why you left your last position, what your strengths are, why they should hire you, how well you work in a team situation, what types of transferable skills you have, etc. Have good, honest answers ready for those.

Don't BS the interviewer. A good one will pick you off easily.

Bring something to write with and to write on. Put some questions you have for the interviewer down in advance on a tablet. If you can find a leather or faux leather folio (they're dirt cheap at Office Max) and legal pad, grab them.

Here are some additional sites with tips.

Good luck! And did I mention to Be Prepared?    

http://www.worktree.com/tb/IN_mistakes.cfm

http://job-interview-skills.suite101.co ... _interview

http://www.quintcareers.com/job_intervi ... ation.html

[Renegnicat]

Thanks McQ. I'll look over those links.  

[Whitney]

, and in general I'll be wearing calvin klein khaki's(dark blue) and a dark colored, vertically striped dress shirt with tie.

What kind of job is this for?

[Renegnicat]

An office assitant. I don't really know all the details, as I only answered the add in the classifieds.

[hismikeness]

Though they can be somewhat transparent, the positive-negatives always are a good fall back. Example:

Interviewer: What would people say is your worst trait?
You: Well, some say I am too dedicated.

If you sense that the interview is going very poorly and you have no chance, before you leave, with a stone cold straight face, ask if you can be reimbursed for your mileage for driving to the interview. I had a guy do that to me once. The look on my face must've been priceless. He didn't make it through the first wave of hiring, but we were picking up and I hired him the second wave. Turned out he was a great employee.

Hismikeness

[Whitney]

An office assitant. I don't really know all the details, as I only answered the add in the classifieds.

The reason I asked is that making sure your clothes are up to date is going to be important for some employers.  So, if it is a place that you think might care about that you should evaluate your wardrobe and update accordingly.  Most places probably won't care but I'm pointing this out this because I'm pretty sure navy pants/suits are not in style right now.

[Renegnicat]

I see. And what is in style? I would have no idea.  

[Whitney]

I see. And what is in style? I would have no idea.  

I think black, charcoal, chocolate brown, and khaki tan(but no khaki suits).  One of the guys may know better, I just know I've been told navy is out right now (which means save your pants and they'll be back 'in' in a few years).  According to my husband's dad a safe bet for shirts is white shirt with simple red tie.

[Tom62]

I see. And what is in style? I would have no idea.   .

[Whitney]

red is a commie colour  lol,

My alternate suggestion would be blue or burnt orange then (no 'girly' colors:purple pink etc, that might not go over well with some interviewers).  I have read that wearing a splash of bright/vibrant color demonstrates confidence.  (Obviously there is such a thing as too bright...no neon and you don't want to blind anyone).  You also want to make sure the color you pick goes with your complexion (the coloring of your face).  Don't be afraid to ask a sales person for help...most department stores have helpers in the men's section.