Interviewing Basics- Part 1

Everyone will have an interview at some point in their life. But because it happens so infrequently, most people have little experience with the process and are usually unprepared in some way. What to wear? What questions to expect? What body language to exhibit? How to follow-up? These are only a few of the many questions to figure out before your interview. For Part 1 of this blog, find out what you need to do before you even step foot into the office.
Pre-interview checklist. Your nerves will already be high on interview day, so don’t make it worse by being unprepared on the basics. Make sure you know where the office is and how to get there. We strongly suggest that you take a test drive at the same time you will make the actual drive (consider rush hour traffic!). Allow enough time to park, use the restroom to check your appearance, and calmly arrive in the office.
Wardrobe checklist. (Disclaimer: We are making the assumption that you are interviewing for a corporate position. If not, the rules may change, but it’s always better to be over, rather than under-dressed.) Try on your attire before the morning of the interview. Remember that you are the “star” and your clothes are “supporting cast.” In other words, don’t let what you are wearing distract from you. Colors that are too bright, large patterns, ill-fitting garments, and too much jewelry are all distracting. For women wearing skirts, wear pantyhose (we know, groan!). Consider cleavage a definite “No”, and make sure skirts reach at least the tops of your knees. As Kathryn likes to say, “The more skin you show, the more opportunities you blow.” To upgrade your outfit from business casual to a more professional level, incorporate the “third piece”. Unfamiliar with the “third piece” concept? Check out Connie’s blog here. Keep accessories to a minimum, avoiding large and/or dangling earrings, noisy bracelets, and anything too “blingy”. Men should wear a well-fitting suit over a wrinkle-free, crisp dress shirt. If a suit seems too formal, go with a sports jacket or blazer. Make sure your shoes are polished, you are wearing over-the-calf dress socks, and you have a belt in good condition. When it comes to accessories, stick with a watch and, if applicable, a wedding ring. No choker necklaces from your summer vacation, no ear or facial piercings, and no visible tattoos.
Grooming checklist. Ladies, consider having your hair trimmed and the color touched up a week or two before your interview. Your nails should be manicured and free of polish (although clear polish is OK). Gentlemen, your tasks include making sure you have freshly trimmed hair, manicured nails, and trimmed facial hair (BIG bonus points for clean shaven...why risk it?). For both genders, be sure to have freshly brushed teeth, and go easy on the perfume and cologne.
Now that you’ve completed your pre-interview checklist, what about the actual interview? Stay tuned for Part 2!

Professional Pet Peeves

Pet peeves. You have them, your friends have them, your family has them. Do you know who else has them? Your co-workers. Read on to find the most common things that can set off your office mates.

You are not a sales rep for your children. Your co-workers can’t afford to buy a box (or two) of Girl Scout cookies from every co-worker, but they will feel pressured to do so if you ask. Not only should you avoid bringing your child’s fundraisers to the workplace, you shouldn’t bring your own either.

Stop the forwarding. Everyone at some point in their life has received one of those annoying chain emails. Don’t bring them into the workplace. It takes time (time that should be spent working) to read the e-mail, and then forward it to 98 people to avoid bad luck for the next 10 years. If nothing else, it fills up your co-workers’ inboxes with something that should go in the spam folder.

Easy on the cologne. Everyone wants to smell nice. But, more and more, people are becoming increasingly sensitive to strong smells. Nobody wants to be able to smell your new Britney Spears perfume from three cubicles away. Avoid your strong perfume or cologne and stick with the freshly showered scent.

Use your inside voice. This applies to any public place, but especially the workplace. Whether you’re talking to someone in person or on the phone, be aware of the volume of your voice. Nothing is more annoying than hearing a one-sided conversation. Beware: just because you’re behind closed doors, doesn’t mean you can be as loud as you want. Voices travel, and nothing is more embarrassing than thinking you’re having a conversation behind doors, only to find out the whole office heard your not-so-great evaluation of another employee.

My space. Yes, your cubicle or office is your own personal space, but use discretion when decorating. Think about the message you are sending with religious or politically-oriented cartoons or decor. With any controversial subject you present, chances are you may be offending someone with whom you work. Avoid overly cute and overly cluttered as well. The key words here are "neat" and "professional".

Introduce yourself. Is there someone in your office that you pass by every day and don’t know their name? Awkward, isn’t it? As time passes, it becomes even more awkward that you don’t call them by name. So here’s a solution -- go ahead and introduce yourself! Meet everyone--even to the janitor. Knowing the people you work with makes work much more enjoyable for everyone.

Enjoy these tips on office etiquette-- we know your co-workers will!