The biggest part in life in suiting up and showing up, or at least that’s what mom used to say. Yes, this is mostly true when it comes to job interviews too, although there are a few more details that may be necessary to win. Since you are competing with hundreds potentially thousands of applicants that want the same job, what will make you stand out from the crowd may be your positioning or personal branding.
First impressions are everything.
For both women and men, be sure your outfit represents poise, sophistication and prestige. A suit or a blouse and a sharp skirt or pants are the best bet as wardrobe selection. For men, a suit is an absolute must when applying for corporate minded roles paired with a tie. You will also want to make sure your clothing is clean with no heavy perfumes or cologne, and ladies keep your makeup light, professional and hair conservatively styled.
Second, be prepared to describe your top three assets in terms of skills, traits and abilities.
Keeping your most successful professional achievement in mind is also a good idea. Employers want you to be able to tell a story of what you did, what worked well in your past, how you got here and with what skills to help you do the job you are applying for. Remember, ability to upsell your strengths is not only part of a good interview, they are an absolute requirement and demonstration of your communication and people skills.
Third and probably most pivotal element of evaluation is your online persona.
Everything you have about you online is an extension of your professional brand and you want to keep this top of mind. Be sure your LinekdIn profile matches your resume. Clean up your social media channels. Employers often if not always review your online properties. One of the most common ways to check the transparency of an individual’s mark on the world is to check how they come up in Google. In addition to evaluating what you have to offer and your professional ranks, you are also being evaluated on your extracurricular activities across the board. So your Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn are but a beginning if you are active in the online stratosphere. Your writing, photography tastes, and networks you join are an indication of your character and your life preferences.
We always welcome your feedback on the above and please keep our suggestions in mind when applying for job as requirements. Our ultimate goal is to find a match between qualified candidates and open positions and we want to make sure that these little nuances don’t get in the way of you finding a position of your dreams.