Job Interview Tips
By: Cyrus, Editor in Chief National Edition

November 17, 1999

The interview process can certainly be stressful, but it doesn't have to be a nightmare. If you are organized and calm, you'll have no trouble. Always, when you are offered an interview, get the following information: time, date, address, the name(s) and title(s) of whoever will interview you, and directions if you need them.

What to bring to your interview: Plenty of extra, clean resumes (no hand-done revisions!); a legal pad and pen in case you would like to take notes on what your interviewer says; any writing samples or portfolios relevant to the job for which you are interviewing.

What to wear to your interview: The best choice is to err on the side of the conservative. No one will fault you for being too dressed up. They might, however, fault you for looking too casual, so wear a suit if you are in doubt. If the interviewer suggests that you dress casually, you may, but don't wear jeans. Pants and a sweater or button-down shirt for males, a nice pair of pants or a skirt and a nice top for females will do for the most casual interviews. If you have any obvious piercings, you might want to leave them out for the interview. Some office environments are very liberal about that sort of thing, but it's best not to find out the hard way.

What to say at your interview: Enough, but not too much! You should answer every question you are asked thoroughly, but too much information can be a very bad thing. Also, there are questions that employers are legally not allowed to ask you unless they have direct relevance to the job you would be doing. They may not ask your age, marital status, or certain other facts; check out www.job-interview.net for the legal lowdown.

What not to do at your interview: Chew gum, eat or drink anything, smoke, stare off into space, forget to listen carefully. Don't do anything you wouldn't do in front of the person you admire most in the world. Showing respect for your interviewer gets you points; showing disrespect for your interviewer gets you rejected.

Don't forget to shake hands - both at the beginning and the end of the interview. A firm but not painful handshake will make a good impression on anyone. Finally, send a thank-you note to your interviewer(s) - even a nicely worded email will do. The fact that you thought to acknowledge that they took the time to meet with you will make employers think more favorably of you as a candidate.