Blog #7: How to stand out during an interview

Going into a job interview is hard enough, but deciding what to wear can be an even more difficult. There are some things that you should avoid wearing, and there are some that are perfect for the occasion. When walking in, you should not be too flashy. Wearing neutral colors is a good option because it is not too bright. Wearing a blazer over a dress for girls or shirt is a professional approach. When at a formal occasion, you should not show too much skin. Wearing too tight of clothes or plunging neck lines is not the way to go when trying to get your dream job. On the contrary, you should not come in with too loose or baggy clothes because this can portray you as a messy or sloppy person. It may seem strange, but avoid wearing a strong cologne or perfume. This can actually distract people and change their mood. For makeup and jewelry, nothing too flashy, a light lipstick shade and a simple necklace will do.

During the interview you do not want to talk too little or too much.
The key is to find a balance between the two. If you barely talk, the employer will not be able to learn about what you are capable of doing and what you can provide to their company, but talking to much can come across as you desperate for the job. It can also make you look cocky or nervous. You want to answer questions as to the point as you can while still getting your point across. To avoid excessive talking, before going into the interview, write down a list of things you want them to know and rehearse different ways you may be able to apply it to a question they may ask you. When talking too little, this may portray that you lack confidence or reserved. Preparing for an interview is the best thing to do. You want to use your time wisely to make sure that they know that you are the right fit for their company.

Sending thank you notes to an employer after an interview is a very kind way of showing your appreciation for their time. This can help you stand out because it shows that you would like to keep in touch with them in the future. It also indicates that you really want the job and have good manners. Sending a thank you note does not mean you will definitely get hired, but it does make you stand out in a positive way. A day or two after the interview is when the note should be sent. Include how much you appreciated meeting with them and remind them of why you are a good asset for the job. This is a simple act to do that shows you are polite and will leave an impression on them.

In class, we had the opportunity to video chat with two professionals in the world of business, Don Rescigno and Elana Leoni. They shared with us how important it is to apply your resume to what the employer is asking for, rather than recycling your old resumes. Make sure that there are no spelling errors in your resume because this shows you do not know how to construct a sentence and can send you to the no pile in no time. Share any achievements you have or any projects that you may have done. Also, you want to make sure that you have a clean digital footprint. Professional pages such as, LinkedIn are what employers are looking at. During an interview, you want to share what your extracurricular activities are, what you are passionate about, and that you are eager to learn. This approach can be beneficial during the hiring process. The last tip, would be to share a story about how you may have fixed a problem at your prior employers because this can show that you are willing to take on any problems and help benefit their company.