As it is close to becoming spring, many of us in our twenties are graduating from undergrad, graduating from graduate school, or have the winter time blues and seeking change. A great way to get a fresh start is by getting a job! (Hey contribute to social security so I have money when I retire) So I am sure that many of you read articles or listen to career services people tell you what to do and what not to do in interviews. I bet also, that many of you take the advice lightly and play some iPhone application rather than listen to what is going on because hey it’s March and mommy and daddy are still paying or the student loans do not have to be repaid in a few months.
Wake up! You need to get a job and you need to stand on your feet become independent and do it now. The economy does not offer the greatest job market now and it is taking longer to find a job and there is plenty of competition out there. You do not want to find yourself after graduation spending weeks or maybe months looking for a job and you now have no money, your shoes have holes, and you get excited that Ramen is on sale for 10¢ a pack.
So let’s say perchance you have mustered up the courage to fill out the pages and pages of a job application and somehow someone thought you were so qualified and excellent that you hear:
Telephone rings
“Hi, can I speak with Job Applicant?”
“Oh yes, that’s me!”
“Well we think you might be a great candidate for this position and we would like to interview you.”
“Really!? Oh my god! Excuse me, I mean, that sounds good.”
“How does Tuesday at noon sound?”
Pretty crappy because I wanted to sleep till noon and then meet my friends for lunch and have martinis after.
“Oh yeah Tuesday will work, perfect!”
So you run and go kiss your mom and pray to god and thank him for all the miracles he sent you and that you will never do anything bad again if you get this job and you twirl around and then…crap, a real interview.
How to prepare? What to do? Well, what I tell you won’t guarantee you a job, but it will make you stand out, and that is what is most important. So part one:
The Look
(If you are feeling extra special you should jam out to Roxette, “The Look”)
- You need a suit. No a pimp suit, not your homecoming outfit, and not a tux. Preferably a black or dark navy blue suit. Girls if you do get a skirt suit, the skirt needs to come to your knees. No one wants to see what you are working with, no one.
- You wear either a white button shirt or a blue button shirt. No pinks or reds or anything that was pulled out of a fashion magazine.
- Guys, wear a tie, power colors work and nothing funky. Stick to reds and blues. If it has a design, make sure it is appropriate. No skulls, sports teams, or hula girls on your ties.
- Girls, accessorize, but not too much. Stud earrings work, like pearls etc. No giant hoops. A nice necklace to match, but nothing too big and gaudy.
- Clean shoes, polish it. Girls peep toes are okay, closed toed preferred, but nothing too chunky or with hooker heals. Three inches is pushing the limit.
- Do your hair and brush your teeth. Please. Guys style your hair and do not do the roll out of bed look. Get your hair cut and your sideburns reasonable length. No Elvis chops. Girls pulled back hair is the best; get it out of your face and use hairspray if you need to pull back any short layers. Buns are not needed. If your hair is short, still style it to where it is not in your face. Make it look presentable.
- Make up. Guys wear chapstick if your lips are dry. No one likes to look at crusty lips. Girls keep your make up simple. Now is not the time for fake eyelashes and smoky eye. Glitter is a no.
- Manicure. Guys make sure your nails are well cut and groomed. Same with women. No one wants to see neither uncut mismatched nails nor dirt underneath.
- Socks and pantyhose. Guys your socks must match your suit. For black suites, dark socks but not navy or tan. Navy suits, navy or dark brown socks work. For girls, you have to wear pantyhose, even if you wear a pantsuit. Chose a color that is close to your skin color. This is why peep toed shoes are not preferred because pantyhose are a must.
- Clothes must fit. Make sure your suit fits you and if not alter it! Hem the pants, the jacket, and tailor it so that it fits you well.
The better you look, the better you will feel, and the better you will appear in front of the interviewer. If you have money trouble in finding a suit, check out places like Macy’s who have suits for their Everyday Values program. Stay tuned for more tips for your interview! Okay go back to twirling around.
Check out part two of Interview This here!
I (as a guy) would rather wear a pink shirt, and not just pink but really PINK
always remember that you're one of a million applicants (especially on your first job, fresh out of school, at the same time as all the others), you'd better make sure that you're different from the bunch, make it easy for them to remember you
I would respectfully disagree with your decision to wear pink. Pink is not appropriate attire for a business interview. It would, however, be appropriate to wear (depending on the job) after you got the job.
For a first interwiew.. go basic.. either white or french blue. Pinks, taupes, maroons are better worn during a second interview.