Interview Preparation and Job Offer Success Dress For Success Dress Tips for Women
- Dress in a skirt suit or a pant suit.
- Style and colors should be conservative (Gray/Black/Navy).
- Skirt should be an appropriate length for a formal business environment.
- Blouse should not be low cut or transparent.
- Make sure to wear stockings if in a skirt, with heels or proper dress shoes. No tennis shoes, boots or open-toed shoes.
- No perfume.
- Makeup should be minimal and of neutral color.
- Hair should be neat and conservative.
- Purse should be a small matching handbag.
- Clothing should not be tight fitting.

Dress Tips for Men
- Hair should be clean and trimmed and face freshly shaven.
- Dress in conservative business suit (Gray/Black/Navy).
- Cuffs and collars should be clean and not frayed.
- Dress shoes should coordinate and be shined.
- Tie should be conservative, wrinkle free and in good condition.
- Tie should be straight and tied in a tight knot at the collar.
- Bottom tip of tie should be in the middle of belt buckle, when standing.
- Socks should fit properly and not be lighter than trousers.
- No cologne or aftershave.

Before You Go to an Interview
- Have your references ready.
- Think of potential questions that you will be asked by the interviewer and that you will ask them.
- Practice answers to questions that you have had problems with in the past.
- Get someone to "role play" with you.
- Practice your speech patterns.
- Observe your mannerism and facial expressions in a mirror.

Interview Success Tips
- All clothing should be in good repair, fit properly and be professional work attire.
- Carry a portfolio; briefcases can be cumbersome.
- Portfolio should be black, dark brown, or cordovan.
- Your watch should be of appropriate size, professional and the alarm should be turned off.
- Do not carry pagers or cell phones.
- Do not eat or chew gum or candy.
- Do not wear sunglasses.
- Be prepared to fill out paperwork and complete any tests that may be required.

Salary is NOT Everything
Yes, you do need a certain amount to meet your minimum requirements. No one expects you to reduce your salary to an extent that it creates a hardship. However, if it is a marginal reduction, then you should take into account benefits such as:

Shorter Commute, Close to a METRO stop, Free Parking, Dental Coverage, Family Friendly Vision Coverage, Prescription Coverage, Medical Plan, Short-Term Disability Insurance, Day Care, Long-Term Disability Insurance, Life Insurance, Vacation Days, Sick Leave Days, Personal Days, Travel Education Assistance, Discounted Cafeteria, Perks for Working Late, Product or Service Discounts, Pet Care, Free Computer to Use at Home, Clothing Allowance, Retirement 401(k), Profit Sharing, Stock Options, Flexible Hours

Interview Protocol - The Basics
- Arrive at least five minutes early, but no more than ten. You do not want the interviewer to feel pressured to see you.
- Before entering the office, recheck appearance, discard gum and candy, turn off cell phones and pagers, and verify that your portfolio is complete.
- Announce yourself to the receptionist. Make sure you use the term "meeting" or "appointment" and not "interview".
- Beware that the interview starts the moment you enter the office and doesn't end until you have left the office. The staff will be observing you.
- Greet the interviewer with a warm smile and a firm handshake.
- Focus on the positive.
- Make eye contact and sit up straight. Don't fidget or you'll seem anxious.
- Do not use slang during conversation.
- Do not discuss personal issues.
- Use humor when appropriate.
- Be assertive, not aggressive.
- Promote yourself, but do not over sell.
- Do not discuss salary or benefits unless the interviewer brings it up first.
- Listen! You'll learn critical data about the company and interviewer.
- Always think before you speak.

Interview Protocol - Questions To Ask
- How will I be evaluated?
- What are the duties of this position?
- Why did the last person leave the position?
- What is the training procedure for this position?
- Who will I report to and what is the chain of command?
- How does this position interact with other departments?
- When do you expect to make a decision about this position?
- What is the goal and the future for this role and that department?

Interview Protocol - Questions to Prepare For
- What frustrates you?
- What challenges you?
- Tell me about yourself.
- Describe your typical day.
- Why did you select your school?
- What are your likes and dislikes?
- How did you get into this business?
- Describe your work style and your work ethic.
- What is your educational and work background?
- Why are you currently looking for a new position?
- What has been your toughest professional decision?
- Where are you along the process in your job search?
- How do you organize and prioritize the things you do?
- Do you think of yourself as a team player or an individual?
- How do you work under pressure and with firm deadlines?
- Describe your greatest challenge. How did you overcome it?
- How do we stack up against other positions and other companies?
- What are your business goals for the next year? Five years? Ten years?
- How did you get along with your worst supervisor? Explain with examples.
- Why should we hire you? Why do you think you're the best candidate?
- What is the biggest mistake you have made in your career or education?

Be prepared to give examples. Never give one word answers.
You always want to elaborate, while being concise, specific and to the point.
Whatever you do, don't ramble on.

Most Common Interview Mistakes
- Acting bored or cocky.
- Not dressing appropriately.
- Coming to the interview with no knowledge of the company.
- Not turning off cell phones or electronic devices.
- Not asking good questions during the interview.
- Asking what the pay is before the company considers you for the job.
- Spamming employers with the same resume and/or cover letter.
- Failure to remove unprofessional photos/content on social networking pages, Web pages, blogs, etc.
- Not sending a thank-you note after the interview.

Thank You Note Etiquette

1. Send within 24 hours of your interview.
2. Send one to everyone you formally met.
3. Use business cards to verify titles and spelling of names.
4. Use personal or plain note cards.
5. Hand-written or hand-printed and then mailed is best, but email is better than nothing.
6. Never type or use a printer for a thank you NOTE (O.K. for a thank you LETTER).
7. Always mail or email; never fax or hand-deliver. Only send emails to the people you actually met.

Remember: Make them remember you. Reinforce: List why you are the best person for the job. Recap: Restate anything you did not make clear or forgot to mention. Remind: The interviewer of your interest and of any promises, such as a second interview or follow-up call.