Signature Source’s Top 10 Interview Must-Dos

September 15, 2014 – When it comes to applying for a job, first impressions – coupled with how you present yourself throughout the interview – really count. Your glorious resume can go down in flames if you wear inappropriate clothes, your cell phone rings mid interview, or you confide your love of the Yankees to the Boston Red Sox interviewer.

At Signature Source, we suggest moderation during an interview, except when it comes to talking about why you are the most-qualified candidate for the job.

Here are our top ten interview must-dos:

Dress for success. Unless you are interviewing at Vogue, stilettos, tight pencil skirts and sheer blouses are best avoided. Men should avoid loud ties, patterned shirts and bold colors. But there’s more. Even if you are interviewing at a casual-dress office, ditch the jeans, sneakers, T-shirts – or anything with words on it – flip flops and sandals. Additionally, be sure your clothes are not too tight, that your jewelry is not jingling and dangling, and if you have animals, there is no hair attached to your clothing.
The sweet smell of nothing! Perfume, cologne, body lotions, after shave: Anything that smells is not a good idea. Many people are sensitive or allergic to any fragrance, or the interviewer simply might dislike your scent. If you smoke, avoid it before the interview. You might not smell the smoke on your clothes, but non-smokers do.
Study, study, study. Ask the interviewer what the company does, and you might as well end the interview right there. The internet is an encyclopedia of information, so there is no excuse for not finding out everything you can about the company. You should at least know how long the company has been in business, if it is public or private, and what it does. Also, study the job posting requirements so you are not asking questions that were answered in the posting.
Practice makes perfect. We all use words in everyday speech that have no place during an interview. “No problem” makes some think there is a problem. Words such as “just” and “almost” can make you seem less knowledgeable and in control. And never admit you are not an expert. You need to be the best you can be. Grab a trusted friend or loved one before the interview and answer interview questions for them. Accept their feedback and then practice refining the words you use.
Ditch your accoutrements! Walk into the interview with a briefcase and purse. Turn your cell phone off and put it out of sight, because nothing is important enough to interrupt a job interview. Any reading material should be in your bag or briefcase because your outside beliefs and likes/dislikes are not the focus. As for the soy caramel latte: drink it before you even enter the building.
Restructuring the past. People change jobs, so it’s important to devise an elevator speech about why you left previous positions, framed using a positive approach. Speak to your motivation for moving on and touch on the important things you learned at previous jobs. You can even mention how you handled difficult situations, but again stress the positives and how this became a valuable learning experience. This is not the place to complain about working conditions or a disagreeable boss, since interviewers will be picturing you interviewing at your next job complaining about them.
Don’t be late. And don’t be too early either. Arrive around 5 to 10 minutes before your interview. If you are going to be legitimately late – flat tire, traffic, train is on fire – call the interviewer and explain. Unfortunately, no matter the excuse, many interviewers will still give you a black mark.
Focus. Talk only about your ability, skills and knowledge that make you the best candidate for the job. We might know never to bring up politics and religion – and interviewers are not allowed to ask – but sometimes things slip out during an interview that paint a picture of your personal life. Even a reference to a favorite sports team could spell trouble. There’s plenty of time for people to get to know you – after you’re hired!
Think Pinocchio! Don’t lie, ever, and that means exaggeration, too. It might make you seem more qualified, but if you get the job your new boss will quickly figure out that you were not telling the truth. Plus, lies are hard to remember.
Don’t mention money, at least never at the first interview when the focus is on what you can do for the company. Salary, benefits and perks come later.