The Interview
Appearance and Presentation
 
In a medium to large company THERE ARE OFTEN TWO INTERVIEWS BEFORE A JOB IS OFFERED TO YOU. The first 
interview is with human resources. It is a general screening of many candidates. Successful candidates are then called back for 
a SECOND INTERVIEW with the individual(s) who will offer you the job.  

Appearance 
First impressions are very important. You should always dress in proper business attire for an interview. There are fairly well established 
rules for what you should wear to an interview. It may take some effort to put together you interview “outfit”, but following these 
guidelines should take away some of the guesswork and anxiety. 

Do not be concerned about being “over dressed” or better dressed than your interviewer. Many Internet and creative companies 
have very casual dress policies, but the “interview outfit” is expected and accepted. Once you have the job, you can come to work 
dressed like everyone else in the office. 

      Men should wear a dark business suit, a light (no pattern) shirt, and a conservative tie. With a black, blue, or gray suit, you
         should wear black shoes. With a brown or olive green suit, you may wear brown shoes. The only exception to this rule would be
         a combination of a very nice sport jacket, and a nice pair of slacks. You may wear brown shoes with khaki (tan) slacks. Wear 
         dark socks. Avoid flashy jewelry and strong colognes.

     You need not spend a fortune on a new suit. If you are a good shopper, you can get a great deal at a thrift shop, take the 
         pants to a tailor for a fitting, and still spend far less that you would spend on a new suit. You can use this strategy to find a
         good leather belt, a dress shirt, or a nice tie. Pay attention to details. Make sure your shoes are in good condition, and that 
         your shirt is ironed. 

      Women should wear a dark colored business suit, stockings, and conservative shoes. It is generally expected that women
         will wear a skirt, but there are some conservative suits with pants that are acceptable for an interview. The aim is to create a 
         conservative tailored look (dress like a banker or lawyer) and to pay attention to the details. Shoes should have a low to 
         medium heel (no sandals, no super high heels). Make-up and perfume should be subtle. Avoid heavily painted or sculpted 
        nails. Avoid very short skirts, and large or flashy jewelry. 

     Make sure that your handbag and shoes are in good condition, and that your clothes fit well and are comfortable. If your 
        hairstyle is a bit unmanageable, pull it back, or put it up. You do not want to spend time at an interview tugging at your skirt, 
        or fussing with your hair. 

The business culture in the United States rewards candidates that are friendly and assertive. When you meet an interviewer, it is
expected that you will smile, look him or her in the eye, and shake hands.
 
     Arrive 10 minutes early for the interview.

    Often, the interviewer will begin by saying a few things about the company and the job that is available. Listen carefully and 
        do not interrupt, you may have some of your questions answered at this time. 

    Everyone is nervous at an interview. Just try to be alert and follow the lead of the interviewer. If he or she is relaxed and funny, 
        you can loosen up a bit. If he or she is very formal and serious, maintain a serious tone. This is called “mirroring” the 
        interviewer, and is recommended for calming your nerves and avoiding blunders. 

   Always bring a copy of your resume, your portfolio (if your portfolio is on CD-ROM, an extra copy to leave behind) and a
       business card. If the interviewer does not ask for your portfolio, at some point in the interview, you should offer to show the
       portfolio. If you own a laptop, load your portfolio onto the hard drive and bring it to the interview. 

   Even if the interview is going very badly, or you are not qualified for the job, maintain a cheerful and friendly demeanor. If the
        interviewer likes you, there may be another position that suits you better. 

    When the interview is finished, smile, look the interviewer in the eye, say “Thank you, when can I expect to hear from you.” 
       and shake hands again.