If the answer is little to none, then there is a good chance that you are still looking for a job. You see, appearance, including clothing and grooming, does make the man or woman in many cases when they step foot in someone’s office for a one-on-one interview.

The Suit Does Make the Man

When I first relocated to the West Coast some 16 years ago, my first interview at a weekly newspaper caught me a little off guard. I showed up for the meeting wearing a suit and tie, only to have the editor catch me off guard with an unusual comment when we met.

He asked me if I was originally from the East Coast, to which I answered yes. He then stated that most “locals” did not dress up with suits and ties; I guess in a way complimenting me on doing so.

Granted, most job interviews do not start off that way, but needless to say, I did find it a tad bit interesting.

In today’s job search world, it is always best to fall on the side of caution and make yourself as presentable as possible.

Do You Appear to Know the Keys to Looking Your Best?

That being said, what are some keys to looking your best and enhancing your chances of getting that job you want? Among the things to remember are:

• Dress codes vary – There is not one “fit all” dress code that blankets the job world. Before you go in for your interview, take into account what the position entails and how you would best represent yourself. If you’re interviewing for a retail job, overdressing may come across as you being overqualified for the position. In the event you interview for an executive position, underdressing may show that you are not serious for the post and would not be a good representative of the company;
• Look the part – In the event you are interviewing for a sales position, keep in mind that if given the job, there is a very good chance you will be meeting with clients on a regular basis. Your potential employer will want to make sure that you dress the part, thereby doing a good job in representing the company when out in the field. If you come to the interview underdressed, hair a mess, not cleanly shaven, wearing too much makeup etc., you can be setting yourself up for not getting the job;
• Use that toothbrush and razor – Just as the clothes are important, it is also critical that you make sure the toothbrush, razor and any other needed accessories are put to use before going to your interview. While it may seem a no-brainer, you would be surprised how many candidates go to an interview and forget to brush those pearly whites or run that razor down their face. Improper grooming habits tell a potential employer that they are not a priority in your life, something that can lead to being passed over for the position;
• Don’t overdo the makeup – While this advice is primarily for the women, it holds true for some men too. Yes, you want to look appealing for your interview, but don’t show up with an extra pound of lip gloss, mascara, hair gel, toner and more. Remember, this is a job interview, not a precursor to the Miss America pageant;
• Make the interview interesting – It is safe to say that many people find job interviews to be a job in and of itself. Many people find the process to be taxing and at times very stressful. One of the ways to ease the tension is to go into the interview full of confidence, looking your best, and most importantly, being you. If you’re not comfortable in a three-piece suit or designer dress, then wear something comparable where you can look good, yet be yourself. Most importantly, demonstrate your interest in the job and why you want to work for this company.

For those who make a little extra effort in their appearances, the odds appear higher that this year will bring them more opportunities to snag their desired job.

Dave Thomas, who covers among other items background checks and home-based jobs, writes extensively for Business.com, an online resource destination for businesses of all sizes to research, find, and compare the products and services they need to run their businesses.

The post You Don’t Get a Second Chance to Make a First Impression appeared first on Gradversity.com.

An informational interview is an interview made at your request with the goal of finding out more information about the company. This would be a one-on-one meeting with either HR or a functional manager where you can ask questions that you might not otherwise find the answers to.

Read that last sentence again and look for the two key words: ask questions.

An informational interview differs from a job interview in that it is your chance to ask questions and find out more about a company (and possibly its suitability as a potential employer). Showing up for an informational interview expecting to be asked questions or expecting to be interviewed for an opening is a surefire way to be shown the door.

This is not to say that the company won’t show interest in you. If you prepare, ask intelligent questions, and present well, then you may make a positive impression and be kept in mind for future openings. But this is not guaranteed nor should be expected.

One final note, my belief is that informational interviews are most successful if they happen when there is no job available. If you approach a company for an informational interview with the goal of getting in front of a recruiter to talk about an open position, it can be easy to see through. However, if you show a genuine interest in the company when there are no jobs “publicly” available, it will go along way to increasing your credibility.

So remember, an informational interview is not a job interview. It is your chance to judge the suitability of a company outside the application/interview process. Nothing more, nothing less.

The post Job Interviews vs. Informational Interviews appeared first on Gradversity.com.

While the entire post is full of great advice, it also hit on one of my favorite tactics of successful job interviews: eye contact.

Establishing and maintaining eye contact is absolutely critical in a job interview if you hope to make a connection with the interviewer. Over the course of normal preparation, it is so easy to focus on your skills and abilities while neglecting the most important part of the interview, which is connecting with the other person.

Either way, this post is a great read. Take a look here.

Thoughts? Comments? Drop us a line!

The post 8 Great Job Interview Tips appeared first on Gradversity.com.