Missy

says...

Do

Make sure

you dress

the part

Most, if not all, job interviews require you to look at least semi-formal or business casual. The first impression your potential employer will get of you is those first moments when you walk through the door.

Of course, a nice handshake and respectful attitude are important, but if you are going to an interview for something that could turn into your future career, it is important to make sure you look professional and act that way as well.

Even if it is a temporary job, such as a retail store, it is important that you make yourself look presentable. Employers want to hire someone who will represent the company well, regardless of what that company may be.

According to Brenda Ferguson Hodges, a California-based image consultant and career coach, the first impression an employer gets is usually formed within the first 30 seconds.

For women, this attire could consist of nice dress pants and a button-down with a blazer, or even a tasteful dress with heels. For men, it could be a full suit, or for a less formal interview, nice dress pants and a polo shirt.

The Internet has many websites where you can find what to wear to make the best first impression. It is important to remember that if you show up to an interview in sweatpants, there is a good chance you won’t get the job.

Sammi
says...

Don’t

Get too

comfortable

and relaxed

When going into a job interview, most people tend to be either extremely nervous or too relaxed, where they do not come off as professional.

Finding the middle between those two is hard, but can be done. Having a job interview, in many cases, means you have a chance of actually getting the job. This tends to boost many people’s confidence and cause them to go into it being too calm.

Do not be too relaxed at your interview because it could come off as if you do not care or already think you have it in the bag. You may be on a different personal level with the person who is interviewing you, but that still does not give you the right to be treated differently than everyone else. You are still expected to act and dress a certain way when having your interview.

Try to make the best impression you can and show you genuinely care about the position for which you are trying to be hired.

Being too relaxed may also cause you to give misinformation or end up bad mouthing someone, which is extremely unethical. It’s all right to be friendly and charming, but there is a fine line between being comfortable and coming off as too courageous.

Be the right level of confident and comfortable, but don’t cross the barrier of acting unprofessional.

The opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the writer and are not representative of The Slate or its staff as a whole

Share