| So you've figured out, more or less what you want | | | | quality over quantity. One or two well-chosen |
| to do and where the opportunities are. Now; you | | | | business suits will serve you all the way to the first |
| have been called for an interview. Here are five steps | | | | day on the job and beyond. Then, when you are |
| for interview success for students and graduates:1. | | | | making some money (and have a chance to see |
| Prepare, prepare, prepare.Thoroughly research each | | | | what the standard "uniform" is for the company), |
| employer you pursue. It is not enough just to show | | | | you can begin to round out your wardrobe. For now, |
| up for the interviews and hope for the best.Take the | | | | no one will fault you for wearing the same sharp |
| time to research and understand the company and | | | | outfit each time you interview. If you desire some |
| the person who is giving the interview. Students | | | | variety within a limited budget, you might consider |
| should approach their answers from the perspective | | | | varying your shirt/blouse/tie/accessories as a simple |
| of the person who is doing the hiring. What would | | | | way to change your look without breaking your |
| that person be looking for if the roles were | | | | wallet.5. Leave a lasting impression.There are two |
| reversed? Job seekers need to plan their responses | | | | simple steps you can take to make a lasting |
| so they cover key information about what they can | | | | impression after your interview and greatly increase |
| bring to the job, and then rehearse out loud until | | | | your odds of success.The first is to call the |
| they feel confident.2. Attitude makes a | | | | interviewer to thank them for their time. If possible, |
| difference.The key element to successful | | | | you may want to add additional information which |
| interviewing is not your experience, your grades, | | | | was not discussed in the interview. An example |
| what classes you took, your extracurricular activities, | | | | would be: "I understand from speaking with the |
| or any of the other basic necessities. Those skills are | | | | receptionist that Microsoft Office is your corporate |
| what got you the interview. The key element to | | | | software standard. I just wanted to mention that I'm |
| successful interviewing can be summed up in one | | | | also fully proficient in each of the tools in the Office |
| word: attitude. If you want to rise above others with | | | | suite." This phone call should ideally take place the |
| better experience, better grades, or better anything, | | | | same day. If you are unable to reach the interviewer |
| you will need to work on developing a highly positive | | | | directly, leave a voicemail message.The second |
| work attitude.Your attitude determines whether you | | | | activity is to immediately write the interviewer a |
| will "make the cut" or be discarded. Remember, there | | | | short note, thanking them for their time and |
| are plenty of competitors with the ability to do | | | | reemphasizing your interest in the position. Then do |
| almost any given job-- especially at the entry level. | | | | your best to get it to them as quickly as possible. |
| The way most employers differentiate at the entry | | | | E-mail it, fax it, hand deliver it, messenger it, use |
| level is by candidates' attitudes toward the job.You | | | | overnight mail, whatever. But be sure they have it |
| can teach a new employee many things, but attitude | | | | before the end of the following day. Ideally, you |
| is not one of them. Many employers are willing to | | | | want to get it in their hands by the end of the day |
| teach skills to new employees if they come through | | | | of the interview or first thing the following morning. |
| the door with a positive, energetic "can do" attitude.3. | | | | Why? Because the quicker your letter arrives, the |
| Ask the right questions.Ask about the position, job | | | | greater the likelihood of affecting a positive impact. A |
| responsibilities and company values.4. Dress for | | | | thank you note provides an opportunity to thank the |
| success.Before the interview, the student job seeker | | | | interviewer for his or her time, and one last chance |
| should find out the company's dress code and dress | | | | to express interest in the position and reinforce why |
| a level up from that. It's better to be overdressed | | | | you are the right person for it.Visit - The Career |
| than under-dressed.This is not to say that you need | | | | Gazette weekly edition of articles about average job |
| to go out and buy a whole new wardrobe. Go for | | | | salaries and how to answer job interview questions. |