The Dos and Don'ts of Interview Wear
When it comes to a job interview, the first impression you make is crucial.In research conducted by Classes and Careers involving over 2,000 hiring managers, 33% said they know if they’ll hire someone within the first 90 seconds of an interview. One simple way to make a positive impression from the get-go is wearing the right outfit, so keep reading for our dos and don’ts of interview wear!Do: tailor your outfit for the company/roleThe way you dress for the interview will depend on both the type of role you’re going for and the company you’re interviewing with.If you’re going for a professional role in an office environment, stick to business wear. However, if it’s for a role in a work environment with a less formal dress code, such as hospitality, retail, or trades, business casual will be suitable. Business casual is more flexible, but there’s a few basic rules you should follow: nice pants or a skirt, a nice practical shirt, and smart shoes.Do: wear appropriate footwearNo matter the role you’re interviewing for, leave the thongs and sneakers at home! For men, dress shoes or a smart pair of boots are the way to go. For women, a nice pair of shoes like loafers, heels or ballet flats are usually your best bet.Do: prepare beforehandYou should never leave it until the day of the interview to decide what you’re going to wear. Take the time a few days before (in case an item you want to wear needs a wash) to pick out an outfit.Don't: forget to iron!It’s one thing to have an outfit prepared for your interview, but always make sure you take that extra step and iron the night before if needed. If you’re rushing out the door on the day of the interview you may not get the time to do it, and crinkled clothing will make you look unprofessional.Don't: underdressIf you’re really not sure what to wear, remember that it’s always better to be overdressed than underdressed! As a general rule, clothing such as singlets and shorts are too casual and won’t be considered appropriate interview wearDon't: forget basic grooming beforehandWhile wearing the right outfit is important in making a great first impression, also be sure that you’ve done any necessary grooming beforehand. Make sure that your hair looks neat and tidy and wear some perfume or cologne (just be sure not to use too much)!For more tips, check out our infographic which cover 34 crucial tips for your next job interview.
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WorkPac's guide to nailing your next job interview
You’ve put together your resume, you’ve applied for the job, and now you have the interview! But how do you get that interview to score you a job offer? Keep reading for WorkPac’s guide on nailing your next job interview.Before the interviewMemorise the job descriptionThe job description tells you everything the employer wants and what the position requires, so the most important thing you can do before an interview is make sure you know the job description back to front. You should also be prepared to answer questions about how you’ll fulfil what they’re asking for with the role. For example, if they’re asking for someone who’s committed to safety, take the time before the interview to think of examples where you’ve demonstrated safe work practices. Being able to provide examples that demonstrate what the employer is looking for will help you stand out as a strong candidate.Do your researchShow that you’re passionate about getting the position by doing some research beforehand on the company you’re applying to work for. People want to hire someone who understands and cares about the company, so taking that extra time to do a bit of background research will send the right impression to a prospective employer.Show that you’re passionate about getting the position by doing some research beforehand on the company you’re applying to work for. People want to hire someone who understands and cares about the company, so taking that extra time to do a bit of background research will send the right impression to a prospective employer.Make sure you're preparedIn most cases you’ll need to bring and up to date resume along with you. The interviewer will also want you to bring any licenses/tickets/qualifications relevant to the role you’re applying for, so make sure you have all of this prepared in advance. Also spend some time the night before getting an outfit prepared so that you’re not rushing around in the morning trying to put something together. If you’re not sure what to wear, smart casual is usually the best way to go. Also plan out a travel route to the interview the night before and allow yourself some extra time just in case.During the interviewWatch your body languageBody language really affects how people form their first impressions of you, so make sure their impression is positive. Maintain a good posture from when you walk in the room to when you sit down, being sure to never slouch or slump. When you first meet the interviewer/s, give them a firm handshake and a smile, and be sure to make eye contact. You should also keep making eye contact throughout the interview and avoid looking down at the ground, as this will make you look timid - just don’t go overboard and stare at the interviewer the whole time!A lot of us also have little ticks and habits we fall into doing when we’re nervous, which can make you come across as restless, bored or anxious. If you have some of these habits, such as fidgeting with your hands, playing with your hair, or tapping your foot, just stay aware of them so you can catch yourself early.Be confidentMany people are scared to come across as confident in an interview in case it makes them look arrogant, but confidence is often the key to a great job interview. You don’t need to boast, but you should be able to speak about your skills, experience, and ability to succeed in the role with confidence.Always direct focus during the interview to your strengths rather than emphasising your weaknesses. Interviewers will often ask what you think those weaknesses are, so be sure to emphasise your willingness to learn and improve in any areas you’re not as confident in rather than talking yourself down. This will help you come across to the interviewer as confident and capable. If you’re looking for advice on how to kick off your job search or writing a resume that stands out, be sure to check out all the posts on our blog!
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Not landing a job interview? Check your resume for these call back killers
A good resume is your golden ticket to exciting new job opportunities. It is a personal advertising statement that, when done well, will deliver cut through and land you at job interview. On the flip side, there's only one place a bad resume is going, and that's on the 'thanks but no thanks' pile.If you find yourself firing off resume after resume with limited success in landing that crucial face to face interview, it could be time to assess where things might be going wrong.Here are three resume blunders that can prove a major barrier to a potential employer viewing you as a hot candidate.Blunder #1: Lies and empty statementsOK, sure, it is safe to assume that many people pad out their resume a little in the pursuit of looking really good "on paper" but if there are downright false statements on your resume, you can be guaranteed they will come back to bite you eventually.Social media and the internet makes it increasingly difficult to hide from your past. Adding to this, anything that a quick web search doesn't turn up can be quickly uncovered with a simple phone call or background check.Your best bet is to be honest with employers about your employment history and qualifications. Don't alter job titles or the tenure of employment and don't claim any experience that you don't have. That said, there's nothing wrong with leaving irrelevant information off your resume. If a past position doesn't add any value to your application, it's better to avoid it completely.Blunder #2: Spelling and grammatical errorsYou would think the need to proofread and spell check your resume goes without saying right? Not so apparently. A study published by CareerBuilder in September 2013 has revealed that typos and spelling errors are still the most common resume mistake, leading approximately 58% of employers to automatically dismiss a candidate.Take the time to read, re-read, and re-re-read your resume for grammar and spelling. Then get a friend or family member to read it as well. Don't forget about formatting either - make sure that everything looks neat and tidy on the page, both when on a screen and when printed.Blunder #3: Lack of focus or strategyWhen sending your resume to a apply for a job, remember that you are just one of many, many applicants for the position. If your resume is generic and lacks any sort of alignment to the job you are applying for, it's not going to be able to compete with a resume that has been specifically tailored to the requirements of that role.Make sure your resume addresses the specific needs of the job you are applying for. Most job advertisements come with a summary of the key role functions that you can use as a guide. For example, if you're applying for an administration job that requires knowledge of particular software programs - highlight the fact that you know how to use those, providing examples where possible.It's also a good move to align your digital resumes - such as your LinkedIn profile - with your paper one to make sure everything is consistent and up to date. A prospective employer these days is highly likely to go digging into your online identity so ensure that you go to the same effort to look just as good "on screen" as you do "on paper".With tougher market conditions meaning more active candidates seeking employment it is important that you take a little extra time to ensure your one shot at cut through is your best.
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