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Prep copies of your resume/cover letter and print them on high quality paper:
- For the most formal appearance, choose resume bond paper available where office/school supplies are sold.
- Don’t use paper that is extremely dark, bright or pastel. They don’t convey a professional appearance in addition to aside from interfering with photocopy quality.
- You should also consider buying matching paper stock for your cover letter.
Notes from a Recruiter: White is professional and clean. If you’re printing out more than your resume (cover letter, references, work examples), keep the paper, font, and style consistent. This develops your own personal brand, ties together all your material, presents a clean unified image.
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Dress according to office culture:
- What you wear to your job interview should really depend on the job you’re applying for and the company culture/industry at large.
- The best policy is to dress for the interview at least one notch more formally than the people who already work for the company.
- If you’re unsure how people at the company dress, feel free to ask your recruiter or manager you’ve been in touch with. They’ll appreciate your initiative.
Notes from a Recruiter: Dressing appropriately is key. It is rare that you need a full suit and tie these days. Make sure your clothes are clean, fit properly, and mesh with your prospect company’s feel. Also, be mindful of your setting. For example, if you’re applying for a Lab Position, make sure to wear closed toed shoes so they can give you a tour of the lab facilities.
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Don’t Forget About Your Body Language:
- Your clothes can help you signal confidence but your body language can be a deal breaker if you’re not paying attention.
- Avoid doing the following:
- Playing with something on the table
- Having bad posture
- Fidgeting too much in their seats
- Crossing their arms over their chests
- Playing with their hair or touching their faces
- Having a weak handshake
- Using too many hand gestures
- Having a handshake that was too strong
Notes from a Recruiter: A few simple tips I tell people, if you’re a fiddler, but your hands on your lap. You can play with your ring or pen cap as much as you want…under the table wear the interviewer can’t see your hands! Also, never bring a click pen to an interview, they are way too tempting to fidget with and most of the time you don’t even realize what you’re doing!
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Feel Good About Yourself:
- Confidence is huge when interviewing. If you feel good about yourself it will be obvious in to the hiring managers.
- How do you do this? Work on yourself! Maybe get an early run to get those endorphin’s moving, watch an inspiring YouTube video, keep out as much negativity as possible and especially negative people.
Notes from a Recruiter: Confidence goes a long way. Picture yourself succeeding in the role. Reflect on your previous successes. Remember, they already like you, which is why you interviewing with them in-person.
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Prepare Your Introduction:
- Set yourself up for success through preparation.
- Know what you’re going to say for your introduction in advance so you can focus on the most relevant skills and experiences related to the job.
Notes for a Recruiter: You’ve heard it before, you can only make a first impression once, so make it good! No one knows you and your qualifications better than yourself. Pick out the ones that are most compelling and relevant to the job then practice sharing them in a concise yet comprehensive 30 seconds.
