Interviewing.

I'm currently hiring at one of the stores that I manage.  So today was the day I was conducting interviews. Hiring is always stress but more so right after the holidays.
So far its been nothing but one disaster after another with the interviews. And I haven't even started them yet. ;-).

I really am hoping to find someone good in this batch that I'm doing today. But you would really be surprised with how bad interviews go these days. Let me throw a few things out there about dress code.

Sneakers, ripped jeans and a hoody are not I repeat are not appropriate to wear to a job interview. Neither is having your headphones in your ears for the entire interview.  Also its never a good idea to sit through your interview and basically beg for the job. Its not attractive and in my opinion not needed. If you are what the employer is looking for then your skills, experience and qualifications will do the  begging for you.

Also another thing about interviews. No shows. If you say your going to attend an interview then please go. Unless a major emergency arises which sometimes happens you need to go to your interview. The employer has set time aside to see you, the least you can take the time to go. Another thing if you can't make it or decide you don't want the job, phone the person doing the interviews and tell them you are unable to make it. Common decency I feel is lacking these days.

It seems that everytime I do interviews these days I have at least one no show, and always always have  at lesst one person dress inappropriately. So I'm thinking of my top five tips for interviewers.

1. Attire : I work in retail, so it's not required for you to wear the whole business outfit you know the shirt and tie or nice skirt and blouse if your a girl. But looking smart and as if you want the job does make an impression. Black pants works well as well as a smart looking top.

Things that shouldn't be worn. Jeans especially if they have holes, bleach marks and frayed edges. Hooded sweaters, sneakers, flip flops, t-shirts with cartoon characters, and mini skirts. Also please note it's also a good idea to make sure that you don't have plunging necklines, midriffs on show or to much leg from skirts being to short. These looks are great for everyday or for going out clubbing but not really the look you want for a job interview.

2: Pay Attention. During the interview it is always a good idea to pay attention to the questions that are being asked of you, if only so you can answer the question. There is nothing worse than having to repeat questions or having to explain a very simple question to someone in order for them to answer it. For example I often ask what are your strengths? To me this seems like an easy to understand question. But more often then not I have to explain what I mean by this question. "What are you good at", or " what do you enjoying doing" have been other ways I've had to explain this question.

3: Speak in whole sentences. Most answers to interview questions are not one word answers. The interviewer is after as much information as they can get to find out if you really are the best person for the job. Answering every question with a yes or no doesn't help the employer and in the long run it doesn't help you. How can you sell yourself if all your answers are one word.

4: Bring your resume. It's always good to hand in a copy of  your resume with any application that you submit. Application forms are very limited in regards to allowing someone to write down all of the work history, experience, and references a person may have. The more information you can give a potential employer the better it looks for you. It's also a good idea to bring a spare copy of your resume to the interview just in case they either didn't get it with the application or on the rare occasion paperwork can go missing. I personally think this is smart as it shows you want to sell yourself and you are keen to make a good impression. However saying this most people don't know how to write an effective resume. A resume is used to sell you. Make it look professional and impressive. But don't use pink paper like some people have. Just normal white stock is fine. Research how to write a great resume before printing one.

5: Stay calm. Its hard I know ypur nervous you want the job and worried about making a good impression.  The person doing the interview is probably just as nervous as you are.