“As someone who has interviewed hundreds of people over the years believe me, first impressions really do matter,” states the President of Hearst Magazines, Cathy Black in her book Basic Black (2007).
I think it is safe to say that when it comes to interviewing, any bits of advice to help alleviate some of the stress are very welcome. And so here is my own list of what to do to make that first impression one you are proud of and gets you back in the door, as an empoyee!
1. Dress the part- know the environment you are going in to. If it is corporate, a conservative suit is best, whereas a creative field will be more receptive to some thing that is on trend or slightly quirky.
2. Obviously always show up well groomed- that includes having clean and neat nails that are polished and perfect.
3. Wearing your hair down makes you seem more approachable and less severe.
4. Natural make-up that highlights one of your features (focus on the eyes or the lips- not both) makes you pleasant to look at and not distracting.
5. Don’t wear too much jewelry- in a corporate setting this may be all you have to differentiate yourself from the other suits, so make it unique but classic and never opulent.
6. Always wear a nice watch- men especially notice your watch when interviewing, so make sure it is nice but not nicer than theirs, if you know what I mean…
7. Always wear closed toed, heeled shoes and make sure that they are in good condition- again, these are the things the men notice.
8. Carry a nice handbag that reflects your style and taste, but is appropriate for the office setting. Again, going classic here is a low stress option, but something that is a bit brighter may be appropriate for a design oriented position.
9. Wear navy instead of black- it shows that you are confident and comfortable, not too aggressive or serious.
There you have it! My personal check list for the interview. Having a system or following a few guidelines makes it that much easier to prepare for and feel confident in a interview, so I hope these help.
