Another week brings another round of less-than-encouraging employment numbers. The latest Department of Labor figures, released on September 15, show initial jobless claims leapt 11,000 from the previous week. Nearly 430,000 people filed for unemployment benefits for the first time last week and the national unemployment rate continues to hover above 9%…
But as more and more people give up… (NPR) A Miserable Job Market Leads Many to Stop Looking… maybe you’re one of the fortunate few to land an actual job interview!
So after calling grandma with the good news… it’s time to get serious.
It’s the toughest job market in a generation, so its becoming more important than ever to nail your interview.
IN NO PARTICULAR ORDER
HERE ARE FIVE WAYS
NOT TO SCREW UP YOUR INTERVIEW
DO NOT: ARRIVE LATE
Seems intuitive, right? But you would be surprised how many career experts include this piece of advice near the top of their tips. So set an alarm clock! Or two! And here are three not-so-obscure websites that can help plot directions from one location to another, drastically reducing the potential for getting lost.
“Don’t bring your own cup of Starbucks coffee to the interview. It’s not professional, and it will make me jealous that I don’t have one.”
– Jessica Liebman, Managing Editor — Business Insider
DO NOT: USE COMIC SANS
As tempting, and universally hilarious, as the Comic Sans font is to use for everything, one should avoid using the bulbous typeface on professional documents. Not only will you automatically reduce credibility, but perhaps your interviewer is an advocate of the Ban Comic Sans movement. It’s best to assume everybody you meet hates Comic Sans, and use a power-font like Helvetica anyway. Helvetica even has its own documentary about how awesome it is!
DO NOT: DRESS LIKE AN IDIOT
Again, seems logical! And yet numerous career advice gurus recommend taking a moment to consider your clothing, or lack thereof, before heading off to an interview. A careerbuilder.com survey found 61% of employers said inappropriate attire was the biggest mistake recent college grads made during the interview process. About.com’s Job Searching Guide offers some ‘dressing for success’ ideas:
Men’s Interview AttireDO NOT: SUFFER FROM POST-INTERVIEW NEUROSES
US News & World Report has compiled a series of mistakes people make following an interview. From failing to send a simple thank you note, to attempting to explain a mistake in an interview, potential for disaster still exists following the face-to-face meeting. Just send a simple thank you note and chill…
