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Casual, business casual, business attire - these are all words that companies use to describe their dress codes.  But before you’re hired, what do these mean to you?

When preparing for an interview, always make sure you take your business attire up a notch - no matter how informal the regular company dress code is.  Dressing appropriately shows that you take both the job and the interview seriously.  

Remember, you can almost never go wrong with a nice business suit!  While it doesn’t have to be expensive, you should try to get one that fits well and doesn’t wrinkle easily – you never know how long you’ll be sitting in a car or chair before the interview.  Don’t be tempted to dress down, no matter what the company’s regular dress code is, unless you’re specifically told to when they set up the interview!  Never underestimate the importance of the first impression you make!

As the interview is ending, the interviewer may let you know when they expect to make their decision by. If they don’t, go ahead and ask!

The day after the interview, send a follow-up letter. A letter can be a great idea to refresh their memory of the interview, and can convey your enthusiasm for the position. If there are several qualified individuals that the company is choosing from, the courtesy of a follow-up letter could really move you to the front of the pack. But keep the letter itself simple! Thanking them for their time and a brief mention of something about the company that engaged you is all you really need.

No matter how tempting it is, don’t call multiple times to follow-up on your interview! Unless you were specifically asked to call back by a certain date, now is the time to wait – and to keep applying for other jobs! It can take time for companies to go through the process, and you don’t want to make your enthusiasm look like impatience. If you haven’t heard anything after two weeks, it’s ok to call – once!

Good luck!

Interviewing for a job can involve a lot of waiting.  Waiting for the call, waiting for the result - and waiting in reception areas and outside of offices for your interview to begin.

Before going on an interview, add a some information about the company to your interview kit.  Have a list of the questions you want to ask handy, and go over it to make sure that you’re familiar and can work the questions in naturally.  If there’s anything about your own experience, qualifications or interests you want to highlight, it never hurts to make a note to remind yourself.

Take advantage of the time before an interview to center yourself, get your mind on track and get ready to show them why you’re the best candidate for the job!

I get asked about the interview process a lot as a career counselor.  And one thing I’ve noticed is that a lot of people are worried about interviews – and worried that their very fear means they won’t appear at their best.

Yesterday, I posted about some of the basics: be prompt, be professional, and educate yourself about the company and position in advance.  The importance of these three things can never be expressed enough.  But if your interview fear is strong enough that you’re worried about the impression you might give, relax and take a deep breath.

First of all, remember that you’ve already done the hard part – getting your resumé picked out of the crowd.  Focus on your positives before the interview. Remind yourself of where your strengths lie, why you’d be good in the position and that you’d be an asset to the company.  When in the interview, take your time!  Speak slowly and clearly and take a second if you need to search for the best word or example. 

Secondly, practice – the more you interview, the more comfortable you’ll be!  Find out if there are places that offer practice interviews near you – check with your college career center or local unemployment agency, just to start.  Hit up friends and family to see if they’ll ask you a few questions. 

Another thing to try: visiting career fairs.  Less formal than an interview, they can give you a chance to make a first impression in more casual conversation.   Less pressure might be what you need to shine – and it’s another chance to distribute your resumé.  And if you get called in for an interview, you may find it easier to relax if you’ve already met some of the HR people!

Lastly, prepare a list of questions in advance!  Ask questions about the company and the position.  Not only is it usually less pressure to listen than talk, but it’ll also reinforce your enthusiasm and interest in the company.

Good luck, and remember – you can make a great impression!

Here are three things to keep in mind to make your job search more productive!

Have relevant experience

Even when looking for an entry-level position, relevant experience can make all the difference.  So take advantage of internships and externships while you’re in school and keep your eye out for volunteer opportunities.  Every little bit of experience you can bring to the job increases your worth!

Be professional

There’s an old saying that you never get a second chance to make a first impression – that’s even more true when it comes to interviews!  So make sure that you’re prompt and professional, dressed in appropriate business attire.  Do some research on the company and be ready to ask, as well as answer, questions.

Be enthusiastic

Employers appreciate employees that bring energy and enthusiasm to the job, that care about the work that they’ll be doing.  Ask questions that express your interest in the job and what you’ll be doing and emphasize why you think you’d do a great job.  Even once you’re hired, it’s important to stay positive and concentrate on learning the ins and outs of the position – particularly in the first, crucial 90 days.

If you follow these three tips, your job search should be more rewarding – and so will your job. 

Wow, that’s a mouthful, isn’t it? The wonderful staff of Search 4 Career Colleges has asked me to work with them to provide information, suggestions and tips for navigating the tricky career world! We’ll be talking about career advancement, changing jobs, making the transition to a new field, deciding about going back to school and so much more!

I’ve been involved in the career counselor field for a couple of years and am excited about this opportunity to reach out to more people who are considering such momentous changes in their lives. I welcome your comments, questions or interactions – or any suggestions on any topics you’d like me to cover.

So welcome, and I hope that you find some of the information here helpful, useful and entertaining!