Friday, August 24, 2007

Happy Friday Everyone!

For those of you that are going on that first or several job interviews- be prepared with the perfect interview suit and wow your prospective employer before you say a word! Below you will find tips of exactly what women should wear on their job interview. Happy Hunting!









Tips for Dressing for the perfect interview
Dress for the level of position one level above the position for which you are interviewing. This shows the employer that you will represent them well in higher level positions.

Match your shoes to the belt color and make sure that each is well polished and not worn. Shoes should be closed toed and have small to medium heels. No platforms, sneakers, or strappy sandals.
Women’s hosiery should be skin colored and men’s socks should be dark and high fitting. No hairy legs protruding between the pants and socks!

Shirts should be white, off-white or blue with a conservative neckline. In certain industries, shirts should be starched and professionally laundered. Women should not wear shirts with ruffles.

Hair and nails should be clean and well groomed with no bright colors like green, orange, etc. Hair should be understated as you want the recruiter to focus on what you are saying, not how you look.

Use a breath mint before the interview and use a minimal amount of cologne.

What is Business Casual?
Business casual has become a major recruiting tool for many employers. However, the definition of business casual can vary from industry to industry. In the conservative financial services industry, business casual might be the absence of a necktie for men and the use of pants by women. In the more trendy high tech industry, business casual may include sneakers and jeans. When in doubt about the attire for a business casual meeting, the best rule of thumb is to avoid denim and instead use khaki pants and casual, collared shirts. Business casual is often the appropriate dress for employer information sessions the evening before on-campus interviews.
It's all about Attitude
Recruiters are seeking candidates with the right qualifications to perform the technical aspects of the job, but they are also seeking candidates who have a personality profile that matches their corporate culture. Most recruiters are seeking candidates with a positive orientation toward work and a desire to work well with others. Recruiters want candidates who are eager to accept a position them. A candidates smile, posture, questions, knowledge of the company, and eye contact can leave non-verbal cues for the recruiter which affirms interest in the company. Other attitudes that recruiters seek are enthusiasm and motivation. Find ways to show these attitudes during your interview through your smiles, questions, and statements.

Business Etiquette--Mind your manners!
Having polished social skills is an asset during the hiring process. Employers believe that candidates who demonstrate good business etiquette will represent the employer appropriately to clients, associates, and the community.Some common business etiquette includes:
Arrive for your interview 15 minutes before it begins.
Be respectful and friendly to the receptionist or secretary.
Smile and offer a handshake when you first meet your interviewers.
Be prepared for small talk following your greeting from the interviewer.
Address your interviewers as Mr. or Mrs. unless they ask you to address them by their first name.
In the interview room, don’t sit until invited to do so.
Do not listen to phone calls that may interrupt your interview. Occupy yourself with your notes or resume.
Stand up and greet each person who enters the interview room.
Always accept a beverage if it is offered.
Don’t smoke or chew gum.
Remove your sunglasses as soon as you enter the employer’s building.
Know the name of your interviewer and the phone number to ease clearance through security.
Have good posture and sit straight in the chair.
Don’t make derogatory or negative comments about anything.
Watch what you say and how long you take to say it - This ranges from how you address others to avoiding slang expressions such as, "you know" or "like"; an intelligent response to an interview question should be between 2 and 6 sentences, not 6 paragraphs or 6 words.
Don’t bring anyone to the interview with you. If someone accompanied you to the city, they should remain outside of the employer’s building unless the employer specifically requests you to bring a guest.
Don’t carry your coat into the interviewers office unless directed to do so. Leave it with the receptionist.
Remember--smiling is never out of style!
REMEMBER, how you look only establishes the first impression as a credible candidate. Once you have set an impression of credibility, you must answer the interview questions in a manner that shows that you have the skills, knowledge, and ability to perform the job that you are seeking.
Assessment Questions Asked by Employers Questions You Can Ask During an Interview Education Interview Tips Interview Responses
Need Help? Attend an Interview WorkshopMake an appointment with a Career Counselor for a Mock Interview



www.jobsrv.eiu.edu

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