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Section 10

The job interview

IMPORTANT

Before the interview make sure you are familiar with the company and, if possible,
the person you will be interviewed by. This will ensure that there is no lull in the
conversation. Also, prepare your portfolio ahead of time and practice using it so
that you know where everything is located. Have multiple copies of your CV and
organise any other materials you are taking with you.

Do not be late! Give yourself an extra 20 minutes and be conscious of potential
traffic. Turn your cellphone off. Putting it on vibrate is not an option. Carry a
notebook and a pen or pencil so that you can make notes or jot down a question.

And make no mistake: appearance matters – so dress appropriately. The way you
dress for an interview will create the first impression to your potential employer
of how you present yourself professionally. You may look good on your CV, but if
you do not dress appropriately for the interview, the impression will be that you
do not respect yourself or the interviewers you are meeting with. The first thing
your potential employer will note is your judgement skills. Should you be applying
for a professional job in an industry where the culture is to wear suits, showing
up in anything else demonstrates that you did not do enough research about
the organisation and that you are not reading the situation correctly. Dressing
appropriately is not just about looking professional – it also means that you
recognise and respect the standards that need to be followed. Even if you believe
that you should be judged on your skills and experience, dressing appropriately for
the situation shows that you have respect for your potential employer and their
clients, and you are willing to follow the directives in the workplace.
When you look your best, it has the potential to bring out your best performance.
It gives you confidence and sets the correct frame of mind for work. Dressing
well demonstrates basic competence as well as attention to detail. Dressing
appropriately for an interview shows that you’re serious about the job and that
you respect the interviewer’s time. It further demonstrates that you are genuinely
interested in the position. The interviewer will get the impression that you
understand the company’s corporate culture and can fit in easily.

NB Remember: The interviewer’s first impressions will be based on what your
clothes are saying before you open your mouth.

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