Nail the interview

It has not been easy, you have worked hard networking and connecting with people you have not talked to in years to help you find a job opening. Your resume and cover letter apparently were just the ticket to get the attention of the HR manager and make it thru the screening process. You successfully handled the phone interview and you finally get an interview for the job you want.
You have researched the company’s website, and talked with people who have worked with them to anticipate questions that could be asked and have rehearsed your planned responses.
How can you make sure this story turns out positively:
1) Show up 15 minutes early: if you’re much earlier than that, you can appear desperate and make the interviewer uncomfortable. Later than that, you’ll leave a bad impression and start the interview frazzled.
2) Dress appropriately: What is appropriate is a point of contention but my vote is dress up. The company may have a casual dress code and you might stand out in your suit but for one day it might make the difference.
3) Be polite to EVERYONE you meet: this including receptionists and the people you pass in the hall and on your plant tour It is the right thing to do and everyone talks about the new people. Your interviewer will be aware if someone is not impressed. I have heard of one company who gave a score card to the receptionist to evaluate each candidate.
4) Follow directions: if you’ve been asked to bring your resume, bring it. If you were told to fill out an application online, make sure it’s been done. Pre-interview work is also a part of the interview and gives the interviewer some insight into how you will complete tasks on the job.
5) Wow them by going above and beyond: people love seeing their name in print and you will score major bonus points by bringing a resume and cover letter packet addressed to the interviewer.
Attempt to find out who you will be meeting with and make sure that you have one addressed to each person in the interview. Your attention to detail will impress immediately and show that you are excited about the opportunity.
These tips will let you put your best foot forward and differentiate yourself from the rest of the pack. Once you have their attention, make sure to be friendly and positive regardless of how the interviewer behaves: you want them to only be able to say good things about you.

3 Reasons You Should Wear a Suit

In the tech boom of the 1990s, people began to trade in their suits for business-casual khakis and sweaters; and business attire has continued to get more casual ever since. Dressing appropriately is critical to landing clients, impressing your boss, and making business interactions easier. Here are three reasons to consider going old school and wearing a suit:
1. Ease. There's no need to agonize over whether you're dressed up enough. Because a suit is at the top of the dress-code hierarchy, you can wear it worry free.
2. Professionalism. There is no doubt that wearing a suit makes you both look and feel professional. It can be a good way to raise someone's opinion of you — perhaps even your opinion of yourself.
3. Respect. Wearing a suit shows whomever you're meeting with that you value the meeting enough to dress up for it.



Today's Management Tip was adapted from "What Your Suit Says About You" by David Silverman.