Preparing for Job Interviews (Part 1)
Graduation season just finished and you know what that means? New graduates will soon be searching for jobs. You’ll be filling out application form, going for interviews until you find what seems to be like the perfect job. Here are some tips for those who may be going for a job interview for the very first time:
1. Come on time. – Punctuality is an important thing for most companies so do come on time. Coming too early may irritate and/or pressure the interviewer so try not to come too early. Being at the designated place for the interview about 5 to 10 minutes before should give you enough time to relax, catch your breath, and observe the actual workplace and the people working there.
If you cannot make it for one reason or the other, please call. Do not assume that the potential interviewer will just figure out that you are not coming. The interviewer has specifically set aside some of his valuable time to talk to you and not giving him notice that you will be unable to come is just downright impolite and unprofessional. This happened to me quite recently. I was due to interview someone for an opening at the company where I work and when the appointed time came, the interviewee or job applicant was nowhere to be found. Just so I knew if the applicant was still coming, I sent him a text message. After sometime, he replied, saying he was sick and could we just reschedule? I texted him back saying that he could at least have informed me beforehand that he could not make it. Did he get a reschedule? I’ll give you one guess.
2. Dress appropriately. Consider the position that you are applying for to determine what wardrobe would be appropriate. The style and color of the outfit you eventually choose says a lot about your personality. Finance people are most of the time more conservative in their dressing so if you are applying for a finance position, “more corporate looking attires” in boring blues, grays, etc. would be safe. If you are applying for a marketing position, you may have a little more leeway in showing flair in the way that you dress. For women, it may be safer to come in a dress or blouse and skirt, as some companies frown on slacks even if they look formal. If possible, you may want to drop by the company prior to your interview, see what the people there are wearing and then tailor your outfit to what you have seen.
3. Research. Believe me, you will be asked by the interviewer why you want this job, why you want to work for the company, and what you know about the company. Ask around. Surf the web. Find out about how the company is doing financially. In the course of researching, not only will you prepare yourself better for the interview, you will also help yourself decide if this company is indeed for you.
To be continued in a next entry. Stay tuned.