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Old 05-29-2014, 09:45 PM   #13
Jmac
Willing to sell body for a few minutes on RS
 
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Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Duncan, BC
Posts: 10,128
Thanked 5,568 Times in 2,107 Posts
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Nice dress shirt, dark slacks, and decent shoes. Haircut is a must and facial hair is acceptable IF it has been well-groomed (trimmed, brushed). Remove any body jewelry (nose rings, tongue studs, etc.) if you have it. Earrings may be okay depending on who is interviewing you and type (huge ear loops, probably not a good idea. Small earring with a younger interviewer should be okay). Doesn't have to be fancy, but you want to look presentable.

Show up on time. Don't show up super early (some of my bosses HATED it when people would show up 30+ minutes earlier and then hang around awkwardly). 5-10 minutes before your interview is a good time to aim for.

Confidence without cockiness is huge. Stand up straight, sit up straight, look people in the eyes during conversations, give a firm handshake (but don't crush hands).

Knowledge about the company is a huge plus and ask questions. Highlight your strengths, don't bring up your weaknesses (even when they ask you what your weakness is, just say a strength in a condescending manner like "I sometimes get too involved in my work.")

Never talk about politics, religion, or any other devisive topic.

Bring a resume with you as well as copies of any certifications that are applicable to the job. Print it on GOOD paper and don't use ink/toner saving. Do a spelling and GRAMMAR check on it before you print it. I'd also advise not using a template or at least use a less-popular one. Some places will throw out resumes if they know it was written using a template.

Always be positive, never be negative. It doesn't matter if your previous employer was Hitler, never speak poorly of him in the interview. Don't lie, just highlight the good and tip-toe around the negatives. For example, instead of saying that your previous boss was an evil SOB and you hated working there, you could say that you learned some valuable lessons and met some very memorable people there, but you felt that it was time to move on to further your development in your career.
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