You won’t get the job just by showing up dressed up.
Halloween is almost here. Just ask the kids who have their costumes ready and can taste the candy. They have prepared for a long time. I remember as a kid, the summer would be spent deciding how I would dress for the big day. But as a career coach, I think about how trick or treating can teach job searchers about interviewing.
Halloween means costumes, getting candy for just showing up and remembering to say thank you. Interviewing means interview suit, getting the candy and remembering to say thank you.
1- Costumes—you don’t wear your Halloween costume every day, and you don’t dress as your best professional self every day. Just as you spent a long time finding the perfect costume, you must find the perfect interview clothes. You want to be dressed to appropriately express your interest in the job. You don’t want to dress to casually or overly formal. The right balance for you is determined by the company, the job and your personality. It is common knowledge in human resources that the day of the interview is the best dressed they will ever see you.
2- It isn’t about you getting the candy–unlike Halloween, you don’t get the candy for just showing up and ringing the doorbell or everyone getting the candy. It is about showing up ready to show the company how you are the best candidate for the job. You must show them you understand their need and how you can fill it. Only one person will be the job, not everyone who applies or is interviewed. There is only one job, and it is going to the best. Preparation and practice are what you need to do in advance to impress the company.
3- Remember to say thank you-just as you said thank you after someone dropped a candy bar in your bag, you must remember your manners and say thank you after the interview. Why? Because it is your opportunity to show the company your good manners. Good manners are only a small portion of the thank you note. It is your way of following up to give them a gentle reminder who you are and what you can do for them.
While waiting for ghosts, witches, hobos and princesses to show up at your door, prepare and practice some basic interview questions. The fundamental questions such as, what is your biggest weakness; what is your greatest strength; why should we hire you; and tell me about yourself.
How can I help you in your job search?
