Spring Break
The Art Of The Interview
Emily Abbate
Issue date: 1/30/08 Section: Focus
Interviewing is a unique art form. The right appearance, overall personality and an exceptional resumé can send an applicant straight to the top of the pile. Understandably, putting aside your nerves and focusing on the task at hand may not always be easy. However, there are several steps that you can do to ease the interview-day-blues and hopefully, land the job.
Step One: Dress The Part
Wearing the right outfit can really seal the deal in terms of presentation. The way that you present yourself as an individual shows the company the amount of commitment you have for the task at hand. Take a little extra time in the morning before an interview to comb your hair and dress in your best business casual.
"Find out what the normal dress is at the company you are interested in. Do a lot of research about the culture to figure out how you should be dressing on the big day," suggests Rachel Larson, a career consultant at the UConn Career Center. "Try to dress one step above what the normal dress code would be at the job to which you are applying."
Some businesses might be less professional than others, however it is always better to be overdressed then under dressed.
"When I go on an interview I always wear a nice pair of khakis and a button down shirt," said Ethan Kutner, a 1st-semeter pre-kinesiology major. "You have to look professional, you have to dress the part."
Step Two: Think About How You Want To Present Yourself
Personality is one of, if not the biggest component that your interviewer is examining you for. There are two components to your personality, one being your verbal attributes and the other being your body language. From the way you use your hands to the way you cross your legs - any and all body language can be taken as a sign of confidence or a sign of withdrawal.
"Be yourself, as genuine and as personable as you can," suggests Larsen. "Many people do not realize that an interview is a mutual process. You are interviewing the employer just as much as they are interviewing you."
Step One: Dress The Part
Wearing the right outfit can really seal the deal in terms of presentation. The way that you present yourself as an individual shows the company the amount of commitment you have for the task at hand. Take a little extra time in the morning before an interview to comb your hair and dress in your best business casual.
"Find out what the normal dress is at the company you are interested in. Do a lot of research about the culture to figure out how you should be dressing on the big day," suggests Rachel Larson, a career consultant at the UConn Career Center. "Try to dress one step above what the normal dress code would be at the job to which you are applying."
Some businesses might be less professional than others, however it is always better to be overdressed then under dressed.
"When I go on an interview I always wear a nice pair of khakis and a button down shirt," said Ethan Kutner, a 1st-semeter pre-kinesiology major. "You have to look professional, you have to dress the part."
Step Two: Think About How You Want To Present Yourself
Personality is one of, if not the biggest component that your interviewer is examining you for. There are two components to your personality, one being your verbal attributes and the other being your body language. From the way you use your hands to the way you cross your legs - any and all body language can be taken as a sign of confidence or a sign of withdrawal.
"Be yourself, as genuine and as personable as you can," suggests Larsen. "Many people do not realize that an interview is a mutual process. You are interviewing the employer just as much as they are interviewing you."
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