What to wear to an interview can be extremely confusing sometimes. I have already mentioned that you shouldn't dress to impress, but should you wear a suit? Maybe just a pair a slacks with a nice dress shirt? Or something in between?
What if you know that a lot of current employees wear jeans around the office? Can you do that as well?
The rule of thumb that I have come to understand is that you should always be dressed at least one level more formally than what your potential co-employees are wearing. This will allow you to communicate that you take the interview seriously, but you are not trying to stand out.
Example: Normal employees wear slacks and polos. I would recommend that you break out the suit with a dress shirt. You might be able to get away without a tie.
Showing posts with label interview. Show all posts
Showing posts with label interview. Show all posts
September 4, 2012
August 28, 2012
"Not the gumdrop buttons!"
Last night, my fraternity held elections for the new Executive Board
for the upcoming school semester. One requirement of all the actives is
that they wear "pin attire" or a suit and tie. I couldn't help but
notice that although all of my brothers looked great, they failed when
it came to buttoning their jacket.
There are two main tips that I have learned about buttons on suits. (these go for men and women) First and foremost, if at any point you find yourself standing, your jacket should be buttoned. The jacket should then be unbuttoned when you sit down, and vice versa. Sometimes its tricky to stand, button, and shake someone's hand all at once.
Practice this before interviews and meetings so that its natural when actually put into practice.
The other piece is to know which buttons to button on any suit jacket. There are many tricks to use, but the one that I use the most is the saying "sometimes, always, never". On a three button suit you can say one word for each button as your work your way down. This way you know which are and aren't appropriate. For a two button jacket, you just start with "always".
These tips should help you get through most situations. If you would like to know anything else feel free to comment on the article and I'll help you out!
There are two main tips that I have learned about buttons on suits. (these go for men and women) First and foremost, if at any point you find yourself standing, your jacket should be buttoned. The jacket should then be unbuttoned when you sit down, and vice versa. Sometimes its tricky to stand, button, and shake someone's hand all at once.
Practice this before interviews and meetings so that its natural when actually put into practice.
The other piece is to know which buttons to button on any suit jacket. There are many tricks to use, but the one that I use the most is the saying "sometimes, always, never". On a three button suit you can say one word for each button as your work your way down. This way you know which are and aren't appropriate. For a two button jacket, you just start with "always".
These tips should help you get through most situations. If you would like to know anything else feel free to comment on the article and I'll help you out!
August 22, 2012
Marketing 101
The first day of classes in a semester is always the best for most students. The instructor reads through the syllabus, maybe shows a short video, and then goes "Okay, no homework!".
You can't do much better than that. Except for class being canceled.
In my upper level marketing class today though, my professor made the comment that the first thing to learn in marketing is that the customer's point of view is the most important point of view.
Now this may seem like basic thought when running a business and trying to sell a product or service, but how do you apply it when you don't have a job?
Who is your customer?
Your potential employer. Everything you do, resumes, cover letters, the way you dress, all of that is how you market yourself. You yourself are the product that you are selling. So the question becomes then, what exactly are you or do you want to be marketing about yourself?
You can't do much better than that. Except for class being canceled.
In my upper level marketing class today though, my professor made the comment that the first thing to learn in marketing is that the customer's point of view is the most important point of view.
Now this may seem like basic thought when running a business and trying to sell a product or service, but how do you apply it when you don't have a job?
Who is your customer?
Your potential employer. Everything you do, resumes, cover letters, the way you dress, all of that is how you market yourself. You yourself are the product that you are selling. So the question becomes then, what exactly are you or do you want to be marketing about yourself?
August 13, 2012
Mom's lessons
Always say, "Thank you" after an interview.
This may seem like a topic that doesn't need to be discussed, but it surprises me how many interviewees forget to do it. Most people give a small means of appreciation and walk out of the office, or other interview location without a second thought to anything more.
When you get home that day, take five minutes to sit down and write a two sentence thank you card that can be mailed to that interviewer. Just thank them for their time and the opportunity to meet with you. That's all.
Very few job applicants write these, and this small act might get your application that second look that it needs or even solidify you for the position itself.
There is nothing else that takes this insignificant amount of time that helps this much. So, why not do it?
This may seem like a topic that doesn't need to be discussed, but it surprises me how many interviewees forget to do it. Most people give a small means of appreciation and walk out of the office, or other interview location without a second thought to anything more.
When you get home that day, take five minutes to sit down and write a two sentence thank you card that can be mailed to that interviewer. Just thank them for their time and the opportunity to meet with you. That's all.
Very few job applicants write these, and this small act might get your application that second look that it needs or even solidify you for the position itself.
There is nothing else that takes this insignificant amount of time that helps this much. So, why not do it?
August 10, 2012
The power of words
Even though he served two terms as president, George W. Bush has been regarded as one of the worst public speakers the world has seen. In almost every speech you could find a blunder or a misspoken phrase. Of course it was funny to all of us, but in a position of power like the presidency, it looked unprofessional.
The same can apply for you and your job or interview. Most positions in today's corporate world force you to come in contact with other to make business deals or negotiate terms.
Therefore you must be able to speak to them in order to get your point across. If you can't do that, you will lose the deal. If it's in an interview, you could lose the job.
The same can apply for you and your job or interview. Most positions in today's corporate world force you to come in contact with other to make business deals or negotiate terms.
Therefore you must be able to speak to them in order to get your point across. If you can't do that, you will lose the deal. If it's in an interview, you could lose the job.
July 31, 2012
Don't dress to impress
"What can I wear to impress my interviewer?" This thought runs through virtually every candidate's head the morning of their interview. "Do I look better with the red shirt, white tie, or white shirt, red tie?"
Zig Ziglar, a motivational speaker suggest differently. He believes that you should dress averagely so that you DO NOT stick out. Flashy clothes calls attention to your outfit, and not your attributes or qualifications. Which would you prefer?
Instead, wear something forgettable. If, after you left, the interviewer can describe extremely accurately what you wore, you dressed incorrectly.
Zig Ziglar, a motivational speaker suggest differently. He believes that you should dress averagely so that you DO NOT stick out. Flashy clothes calls attention to your outfit, and not your attributes or qualifications. Which would you prefer?
Instead, wear something forgettable. If, after you left, the interviewer can describe extremely accurately what you wore, you dressed incorrectly.
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