The simple sound of “a job interview” can strike fear into the hearts of many. All eyes are set on you, on what you’ve achieved and what you have done.
A small mistake can blow up all your expectations and make you lose that awesome job you’ve been dreaming about.
How to look professional in a job interview
But not everything is lost from the beginning. Give a professional look in a job interview, and fit into the expectation of the interviewer is not as hard as it may sound.
Job interviews are like first dates. Good impressions count. Awkwardness can occur. Outcomes are unpredictables.
All you have to do is focus on three aspects:
Your look
Not long ago it was totally normal to see men in suits and women in fancy dresses. But society has changed, and so has the dress code.
Nowadays it is not so strict. But this does not mean that you can show up to your job interview wearing the first thing you found in your cupboard.
1. Choose carefully
It is true that you should not judge a book by its cover, but your outfit is the first thing the interviewer is going to see, so choose carefully.
Try to be elegant and casual at the same time. If you are a man, try to wear a shirt, instead of a T-shirt. If you are a woman, it’s more advisable to wear long-sleeve shirts than tank tops.
2. Wear something comfortable
That new dress you have just bought is awesome, but it may be a bit too uncomfortable. It gives a bad image if you are constantly readjusting yourself.
Wear something that makes you feel comfortable. You cannot concentrate properly on the interview if you are constantly thinking that you made a wrong choice with your outfit.
3. Avoid too much jewelry
Sometimes less is more. Earrings and a couple of rings should be enough. It is also advisable to cover your tattoos and take off your piercings.
And don’t take me wrong, I love them, but some places find them unprofessional.
4. Do not overuse makeup and perfume
Women should not use too much makeup and perfume. A natural look sometimes says much more of you.
Men should look shaved and with a trimmed haircut.
Your attitude
Your outfit may be important at first sight, but it may not be enough to get you that job.Make sure you act properly and avoid any kind of
Make sure you act properly and avoid any kind of behavior that may be counterproductive.
1. Avoid…
Using your mobile phone during a job interview. Make sure it is turned off.
Using it while the interviewer is talking to you will not only give a bad image of you, it can also distract both of you.
And that is something you want to avoid.
2. Be punctual
You need to look professional, and being late may be many things, but not professional.
You should be there 5 or 10 minutes before time.
Try not to be much earlier, either. That would mean that you are desperate. Virtue is in balance.
3. Trust yourself
Be confident in your abilities. Try to highlight your strong points and make clear why you are the best option for the job. But don’t take it too far.
Making clear that you are competent is good, but don’t act as if you knew everything. Humility is well considered as well.
4. Don’t get distracted
Maintain eye-contact and listen to every word the interviewer is saying.
Be caught distracted would give the wrong idea that you are not interested in what is been said.
Ask questions now and then on what it’s important to you, and don’t be shy to ask whatever has not been clarified enough.
Do not limit your participation to answering the questions. The initiative is well considered, so do not hesitate to speak whenever you feel you need to.
Your knowledge
You cannot show up to the job interview without having done some researches.
Information is power: the more you have, the more opportunities you will have to get the job.
1. Research the company
That is the easiest things of all.
What do they do? What are they looking for? What’s the public section they target? What their production is?
You may be asked about some aspects of the company at some point of the interview. Knowing all those things will ease your answers to the interviewer’s questions.
The more you know, the more interested you’ll seem in the job.
2. Research yourself
You will be asked about yourself.
That is obvious, you might think, and you would be right. That is why you need to have everything clear in your mind.
Make sure the information you give orally is exactly the same that you have written in your CV.
Otherwise, they may think you have lied on it.
3. Think about questions to ask them
At the end of the interview, they will ask you whether you have any questions.
You should be prepared for that. And the first point may be useful here.
Ask anything you think you should know. Ask about some aspects that have not been treated in the interview, or that you find interesting about the company or the role that you apply for.
You should not remain quiet under any circumstances. This may be misunderstood as lack of interest.
Any other useful interview tips? How was your job interview experience?
Let me know by leaving a comment below.
For more business tips, check our entrepreneurship section and subscribe to our weekly newsletters.
