{"id":76324,"date":"2014-07-09T13:45:51","date_gmt":"2014-07-09T18:45:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/inalj.com\/?p=76324"},"modified":"2014-07-09T13:49:24","modified_gmt":"2014-07-09T18:49:24","slug":"acing-the-job-interview-part-2-of-4-personal-and-professional-interview-prep","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/inalj.com\/?p=76324","title":{"rendered":"Acing the job interview \u2013 Personal and Professional Interview prep"},"content":{"rendered":"

by Angie Solis, Head Editor,\u00a0INALJ Missouri\u00a0<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

Acing the job interview \u2013 Personal and Professional Interview prep \u00a0Part 2 of 4<\/span><\/h3>\n

\"AngieSolis\"<\/a><\/h3>\n

Last time we talked about Pre-Interview Prep<\/a> to be the best interviewee you can be. Now that we have\u00a0mastered the skills to prepare for anything an interviewer is going to throw at you, it\u2019s time to have a\u00a0little \u201cyou time\u201d. Preparation for an interview doesn\u2019t start with just knowing how you are going to\u00a0respond to questions during an interview. Yes, that part is going to help get the job, but a lot more goes\u00a0into the process than that. Now, we\u2019re going to talk about how to prepare to showcase the best you.<\/p>\n

First, we\u2019ve gotta talk about choosing the right interview clothes<\/strong>. The first impression for any interview\u00a0will be what you look like, including what you wear. I can\u2019t stress enough that having your outfit\u00a0prepared and ready to go before the day of the interview will save a lot of headache and stress. In\u00a0regards to the outfit I think some of us are thinking, it\u2019s 2014 and the world is changing so interview\u00a0clothes should be as well, right? It\u2019s a new age but that doesn\u2019t mean that interview wear should be any\u00a0more relaxed. But that also doesn\u2019t mean that you can\u2019t look good when going to an interview either.\u00a0If you opt for a more traditional flair a two-piece suit is your best option. Make sure the suit fits nicely\u00a0as an ill-fitting suit can just make you look sloppy instead of professional. Pair a suit with a nice tailored\u00a0shirt or a feminine top for the ladies. For the guys, make sure the tie is not wild or overly-bright<\/a> as that\u2019s\u00a0the first thing that most people notice about a suit. If a traditional suit isn\u2019t your forte guys can check\u00a0out these alternatives<\/a>. Ladies also have plenty of modern options<\/a> too, ranging from statement dresses\u00a0to sweaters paired with dress pants. Keep away from large jewelry pieces and keep colors neutral. My\u00a0interview staples are a nice two-toned dress<\/a> with a modern blazer along with simple but pretty earrings\u00a0and a pin my mom gave me. On an even more personal note, my mom always told me to wear a nice\u00a0pin<\/a> with a little red in it so there would be something for the interviewer to remember me by. There are\u00a0so many options when thinking about interview attire (traditional and modern) so always ask a friend or\u00a0colleague if you\u2019re unsure about your outfit of choice.<\/p>\n

Now that the hard part is figured out, you want to make sure to feel your best and look your best.<\/strong> To\u00a0accomplish this you\u2019ll want to get a good night\u2019s rest and eat a healthy breakfast. I think these steps are\u00a0often overlooked because it can be so nerve wracking getting yourself prepared for an interview. I get\u00a0so anxious the day before and the day of the interview that I don\u2019t want to eat, sleep or even think. But\u00a0it\u2019s the real world and you have to actually do all of those things. To get the most out of your brain, [try\u00a0to] get a solid night\u2019s sleep. I know it\u2019s easier said than done but it will do you a world of wonders and\u00a0help you feel and look refreshed.<\/p>\n

On the morning of the interview, you will also want to make sure to eat a healthy breakfast. Plus, I\u00a0wouldn\u2019t just make sure you have a great breakfast, I would start by having a great dinner the night\u00a0before. Stay away from fatty foods and those that might make you bloat. If you are thinking about how\u00a0much your stomach hurts, your full attention won\u2019t be where it should be, which is on the interview.\u00a0What should you eat? LinkedIn<\/a> suggests protein for energy, Antioxidants and Omega-3 for clarity and\u00a0nuts for stress. For breakfast try eggs and a tasty parfait made with yogurt, blueberries and nuts. For\u00a0dinner opt for a tasty dish of chicken or salmon and quinoa with a spinach salad or seasoned vegetables.\u00a0Not only will you feel great for your interview, but you\u2019ll feel amazing for the rest of the day!<\/p>\n

Last time we talked about ways to succeed in an interview. I think it is also important to know how to\u00a0fail<\/a><\/strong>. Knowing ahead of time how you can blow an interview will help you to avoid those little mistakes\u00a0that could cost you the big job. We all know that arriving late is a big no-no, but did you know arriving\u00a0too early can cost you the job before you even interview? And, we all know that asking questions is a\u00a0must. Well, be careful not to ask too many questions or your potential employer may look for someone\u00a0who didn\u2019t hijack the interview. Before you step out the door, make sure to know how to fail so you\u00a0can be sure to succeed. Need answers? Check out Job Searching<\/a> on about.com for 50 of the biggest\u00a0interview mistakes or Businessinsider.com<\/a> for the 9 most common interview mistakes which includes\u00a0appearing too arrogant or too disinterested. Now that we\u2019re all pros, just for a laugh be sure to check\u00a0out the all-time worst interview mistakes<\/a>.<\/p>\n

I think we are making great progress. We\u2019re looking and feeling great, we know how to fail so that\u00a0we can succeed, so now, we want to get to know our portfolio and have all documents ready to go for\u00a0the big day. Be sure to know what to bring to the interview<\/a><\/strong>. Even if nothing is specifically requested\u00a0by the interviewer or hiring manager, I think it is better to be prepared as it\u2019s going to make you look\u00a0even better than I know you already are. Always bring copies of your resume. You may end up going\u00a0home with those copies but it\u2019s better to have them ready in case someone asks. Another handy tip is\u00a0to bring a pen and notepad. Having these things ready screams that you are prepared and organized\u00a0and that you have thought ahead. Another thing you want to print is your list of references. Have\u00a0a professional list ready to go at a moment\u2019s notice so that you don\u2019t have to scramble or try and\u00a0remember someone\u2019s information that has offered to give you a great reference. Also, if you thought\u00a0of some great questions for the interviewer, write them down to be sure you don\u2019t forget them. Just\u00a0another way to show your potential employer that you\u2019re prepared and ready for anything. Store all\u00a0these things in a professional portfolio or folder.<\/p>\n

Now that you look and feel your best, you\u2019re prepared to highlight all your best skills and you\u2019ve got\u00a0everything to WOW your judges, it\u2019s almost time for the interview. I hope some of these tips or links\u00a0have helped you in preparing yourself for a great interview. There\u2019s still more to learn so tune in next\u00a0time to find out how to handle the ins and outs of the interview day!<\/p>\n

Remember, you can find all the links mentioned here plus more on my Pinterest board, You\u2019re Hired!<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

by Angie Solis, Head Editor,\u00a0INALJ Missouri\u00a0 Acing the job interview \u2013 Personal and Professional Interview prep \u00a0Part 2 of 4 Last time we talked about Pre-Interview Prep to be the best interviewee you can be. Now that we have\u00a0mastered the skills to prepare for anything an interviewer is going to throw at you, it\u2019s time…<\/p>\n

Read more \u2192<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":9,"featured_media":57256,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[145],"tags":[5949,69,3592,3640,4522,4514,5929,4590,111],"class_list":["post-76324","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-articles","tag-angie-solis","tag-article","tag-blog","tag-inalj-missouri","tag-interview-outfit","tag-interview-tips","tag-job-interview","tag-preparing-for-interviews","tag-tips"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/inalj.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/01\/AngieSolis.jpg","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p1WoMK-jR2","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/inalj.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/76324","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/inalj.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/inalj.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/inalj.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/9"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/inalj.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=76324"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/inalj.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/76324\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/inalj.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/57256"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/inalj.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=76324"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/inalj.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=76324"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/inalj.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=76324"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}