The key for interviewing is to be confident in yourself and your attire. Don’t try to be someone else to get a job.
Confidence
Be yourself. Choose to wear something you are comfortable in.
The goal with your interview is to be relaxed, confident, and friendly. While you will want to be well-dressed, if aspects like heels and ties make you uncomfortable, this first interview may not be the time to start wearing them.
Once you have your confidence-boosting outfit selected, remember these key confidence tips throughout the interview:
- Look your interviewer in the eye
- Head up/shoulder back/firm handshake
- Speak up
- You only have a few seconds to make a great first impression. Just be confident
Understand the Culture and Dress Up One Level
When it comes to the professional world, there are normally about three types of company attire culture:
- Very casual: This would be jeans, shorts, t-shirts, tennis shoes, excreta.
- Business casual: Normally slacks, khakis, button done shirt. There might be slight dress-down days such as Friday jeans. Culture might be to dress a little better with a blazer for formal meetings
- Business formal: button-down shirt with tie and jacket or skirt, slacks, blouse, and jacket
Before the interview, ask your contact person about the normal company attire and what they would recommend for the interview. The normal rule is to dress one level up. If the company is very casual, then maybe nice jeans, a button-down shirt, and a casual blazer.
As a goal, always be neat, clean, sharp
- Shoes should be cleaned or shined
- Pants, or skirt or shirt ironed and clean
- No ripped jeans or T-shirts
You want to work for a company where you can be you. It needs to be culture where you are comfortable.
Video call (Zoom)
Video calls are the new normal for job interviews. While you may have the luxury of completing your interview from a comfortable location like your home, there are still several considerations to keep in mind when trying to make a great first impression:
- Check your background – what is behind you. Neat and clean. Please no dirty clothes or old dishes.
- Check your speaker and camera before the appointment. How is the lighting? Is there a glare?
- Check the link and make sure it works at least an hour before the appointment. This way, you have someone to contact in plenty of time.
- Same rules apply for attire
Quick Interview Do’s and Don’ts
Don’t
- Ever wear strong cologne or perfume. In fact, we would recommend no perfume at all.
- Ever answer any calls or look at your phone during the interview. In order to avoid this mistake, we say turn phone off and put it in your bag.
- Ever ramble off the subject. Listen to the question and stay focused on answering the questions.
Do
- Practice the almost always question: “Tell us about yourself.” Don’t ramble and have a clear concise answer that highlights the bright points of your resume.
- Arrive early. Allow time for traffic, parking, or getting lost. Get there early and wait in the car. Arrive in the office around 10 to 15 minutes before your scheduled appointment.
- Bring your resume, pen, and pad to take notes
- Take your time answering questions. Ask for clarity if you are not sure what the interviewer is asking.
- Research the company and have a few questions at the end about the position and company. They will judge you by your questions and your answers.
Prepare for Your Next Professional Milestone with DEI Recruiting and Consulting
If you are a diverse candidate that is ready to make your mark in the professional world, let the team at DEI Recruiting and Consulting help you find your next dream job. We specialize in connecting prospective candidates with forward-thinking business owners that are eager to welcome new hires to their diverse culture.
Contact us today to learn more about our services.
