Dressing for Your Interview
Featuring advice from Dave Swanson

By Maureen Anderson

So you got the interview, but you didn’t get the job. What happened? Career consultant Dave Swanson has a guess. Maybe you didn’t dress up enough. Swanson lives in Milwaukee but conducts job hunting and career seminars around the world. He says one way to set yourself apart from the competition is to be well-dressed--and well-groomed. (read more...)

Three Common Deadly Mistakes Made In Job Interviews

By Carole Martin

Since no two interviews are alike, it is difficult to be prepared for what lies ahead, but you can focus on your presentation skills, which may be even more important than what you have to say. Three areas of performance, which should be considered dangerous and deadly, are worth spending some time thinking about before your next interview.
(read more...)

Build a More Meaningful Career

By Robin Ryan

11,000 days. That’s the number of days you’ll probably work over your lifetime. You’ll likely have six or seven career changes and 11 or 12 jobs in total. You may be wondering if you need a change now. (read more...)

Dressing for Your Interview (^top)
Featuring advice from Dave Swanson

By Maureen Anderson

So you got the interview, but you didn’t get the job. What happened? Career consultant Dave Swanson has a guess. Maybe you didn’t dress up enough. Swanson lives in Milwaukee but conducts job hunting and career seminars around the world. He says one way to set yourself apart from the competition is to be well-dressed--and well-groomed: “I’ve interviewed thousands and thousands of people,” he says, “and the number who come in unprepared exceeds 95 percent. It may even be more like 99 percent. The first thing you should do to prepare for an interview is to make sure you have a professional outfit that’s in immaculate condition.”

Swanson has been working with job hunters for more than thirty years. He doesn’t think the most expensive clothes in the world will help if you don’t leave enough time to make it to the interview. “You need to allow time for road construction,” he says. “You need to allow for a change in the weather--or not enough parking once you arrive.” He thinks it’s a good idea to drive to the interview location the day before. Decide where you’ll park. Don’t show up disheveled because you’ve had to walk three blocks through a large company parking lot in a blizzard.

It’s like the old saying--you never have a second chance to make that first impression. Swanson thinks that’s especially important when you’re looking for a job. “When you walk in the door,” he says, “you make an immediate one-tenth of a second flash ‘ooh’--and it’s the same kind of reaction you have when you see someone on TV. You have an immediate like or dislike for that look. That’s what the employer has.”

Being clean and well-dressed spells trustworthy, Swanson says, and employable.

Copyright 2005, North Shore Productions

Maureen Anderson is host of the syndicated radio program, The Career Clinic(R). She is the author, with Dick Beardsley, of Staying the Course: A Runner's Toughest Race (University of Minnesota Press, 2002). She is also the author, with Jon Hovde, of Left for Dead: A Second Life after Vietnam (Minnesota, 2005). Her articles and essays have appeared in publications ranging from Radio World to Spirituality & Health. You can learn more at www.thecareerclinic.com

Three Common Deadly Mistakes Made In Job Interviews (^top)

By Carole Martin

Since no two interviews are alike, it is difficult to be prepared for what lies ahead, but you can focus on your presentation skills, which may be even more important than what you have to say. Three areas of performance, which should be considered dangerous and deadly, are worth spending some time thinking about before your next interview.

1. Poor non-verbal communication image

It’s about demonstrating confidence –

• Stand straight, and make good eye contact. (Note the color of the interviewer’s eyes.)
• Connect with a good, firm handshake. (There’s nothing like a limp response in a handshake.)
• Sit erect and lean forward in the chair, appearing interested and attentive. (Slumping denotes a lazy attitude.)

That first impression can be a great beginning, or a quick ending to your interview.

2. Poor verbal communication skills

Your interviewer is giving you information, either directly or indirectly.

• Good communication skills include listening and letting the person know you heard what they said.
• Observe your interviewer’s style and pace and match that style, adjusting your style and pace to match.
• Use appropriate language. (Beware of using slang words or references to age, race, religion, politics, or sexual preferences – these topics could get the door slammed very quickly.)
• Telling the interviewer more than they need to know could be a fatal mistake. (Too much information – particularly personal information - could get into some areas that are best not discussed in an interview.)

3. Not asking questions

It is extremely important to ask questions.

• When asked, “Do you have any questions?” if you answer “No,” it is the WRONG answer!
• Asking questions gives you the opportunity to show your interest. (The best questions come from listening to what is said and asked during the interview. Ask for additional information.)
• Asking questions gives you the opportunity to find out if this is the right place for you. (Your chance to find out what goes on in the company.)

The job market is very competitive and the competition is fierce. Give yourself every advantage by preparing and practicing before the interview. Be aware of your verbal and non-verbal performance and the messages you are sending. It could make the difference between a job offer or not.

Carole Martin is a thoroughbred interview coach. Celebrated author, trainer, and mentor, Carole can give you interviewing tips like no one else can. Her workbook, "Interview Fitness Training - A Workout With the Interview Coach," has sold thousands of copies world-wide. "Boost Your Interview IQ" has been awarded one of the 10 best career books for 2004. Her most recent book, "Perfect Phrases for the Perfect Interview" and the others mentioned are all available at www.interviewfitnesstraining.com and www.interviewcoach.com

Build a More Meaningful Career (^top)

By Robin Ryan

11,000 days. That’s the number of days you’ll probably work over your lifetime. You’ll likely have six or seven career changes and 11 or 12 jobs in total. You may be wondering if you need a change now.

30 million people go to work each day to a job they hate. The harmful feelings permeate their entire life, putting a negative cloud over the home, their friends and many of their other activities. They may lack the know-how to change, may be afraid of leaving the security of a paycheck, or have a hundred excuses for why it’s okay to be so dissatisfied and stay at their job.

There is a better way to live your life. Meaningful purpose is a driving force that adds enthusiasm to your days. Taking a passion and making it your career -- living a dream -- can be not just a wish, but a true and certain reality. Here are a few steps to get the new career rolling:

Do some self-analysis. Ask yourself -- What really matters to me? What problem or wrong would I like to fix? What do I enjoy? Where are my interests and hobbies? What are my priorities? What is my secret passion? What do I want to do with the rest of my life? Reviewing these questions can give you new insight to where you want to go.

Use your unique genius and talents. Every person is born with a unique set of natural abilities. Talents, such as managing, creating, researching, training others, drawing, can all seem like easy work because you have a natural flair for them. True happiness comes from combining your natural talents, developing and excelling in them, and working in a field, job, industry that you have a passionate interest in.

Others have done it and so can you. Sometimes it’s easy to forget that we can change if we really want to. Although she was a prominent lawyer, my client Sarah was dissatisfied in her work, and glad to take a few years off to have two children. She told me she hated “practicing law.” She found it boring, yet she felt enormous guilt at abandoning a career she spent years training for and made great money in. We worked together, focusing on her real interests and natural talents. Sarah landed a terrific new job as an executive director for a nonprofit organization. She leads others, influences policies, develops programs, and is a very happy person. “I even make a great salary, but I love my job so much, I’d do this for free,” she said.

Make a decision. Many people flounder for years and never turn their dreams into reality. They let themselves remain in a negative or stuck place. Only action can change your life. Read a book. Take vocational tests. Use a good career-management professional. Do some career exploration and gather all the information you need. Then make a decision and go forward. Outline the action steps to reach your career goal. The only thing at stake is your happiness. Finding meaning, passion and purpose every day you go to work is the wonderful reward, so don’t wait any longer. Begin right now and set in motion your own plan to live a happier, more satisfying life.

Questions about some of the terminology used in this article? Get more information (definitions and links) on key college, career, and job-search terms by going to our Job-Seeker's Glossary of Job-Hunting Terms.

Robin Ryan has appeared on the "Dr. Phil Show," "Oprah," "NBC Nightly News with Tom Brokaw," CNN, and CNBC and is considered America’s top career coach. She is the best-selling author of 60 Seconds & You’re Hired!, Winning Resumés, Winning Cover Letters, and What to Do with the Rest of Your Life. She’s the creator of the highly acclaimed audio training program Interview Advantage and The DreamMaker. Robin’s passion is helping people find better jobs, which she successfully does through her career counseling practice in which she offers individual career-coaching and resumé-writing services. A popular national speaker, Robin has spoken to more than 1,000 audiences on improving their lives and obtaining greater success. To purchase her books and audio training programs, go to her Webiste: RobinRyan.com. To contact Robin email her at RobinRyan@aol.com or phone her at 425.226.0414.

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