You have landed that big job interview that you always wanted. Congratulations!
Let’s gear up to present yourself well. Besides perfecting your answers and practising for the interview you need to look professional and presentable. Remember first impressions are lasting. Research says that it takes less than 20 seconds for a person to make a strong impression about you. It is, therefore crucial to form a great first impression on the interviewer the moment you walk into the interview room.
Besides preparing interview answers and researching about the organization it is equally important to groom yourself before you set out for an interview.
Here are 5 essential grooming tips for interview that will help you to ace the interview:
1. Dress Right: Dressing up right is the key to ace the interview look. Always wear a formal dress for an interview. A formal dress includes a formal trouser in dark shade (black, brown, blue) paired with a formal buttoned down shirt (full-sleeved) in light colour. A necktie is desirable. You may also wear a jacket if the weather allows you to. This goes well for both men and women. Women may even wear a knee length or a longer skirt paired with a blouse.
Formal shoes in black or dark tan colour for men. Women must wear black formal shoes with heels between 1-3 inches in length.
What not to wear: T-shirts, jeans, cargos, kurtis, low-cut blouses, ill-fitted clothes, anything that is lacy, has ruffles, prints, bright colours.
2. Wear minimal accessories: Up your dressing game with minimal accessories. Women must wear minimal makeup and jewellery like studs or very small earrings. Tie up your hair into a ponytail or shape it into a bun; make sure your hair strands don’t fall onto your face. If you are wearing nail paint keep its shade light.
What not to wear: Chunky jewellery for both - men and women, bright coloured makeup/lipstick/nail paint, hair falling onto your face.
3. Take care of Personal Hygiene: The basis of all grooming lies in personal hygiene. Personal hygiene means taking good care of your body and forming healthy habits to maintain your health. It includes taking bath every day, trimmed hair, clipped/manicured nails, maintain good oral hygiene by brushing twice a day and have fresh breath, check body odour – ensure there’s no bad odour, change your inner wear and socks daily, use sanitizer or wash hands frequently. Men must be clean shaved or have trimmed beard, while for women waxing their exposed parts of hands/legs will give a neater look.
What not to do: Pour a bottle of cologne onto yourself, go for interview with chipped nail paint, have bad breath while you are speaking.
4. Smile: Your smile is the best accessory you can wear! It costs you nothing. Your smile will make you appear confident and it will also put others at ease. So make sure you don’t forget the most important accessory. A simple natural smile that reaches your eyes is just enough.
What not to do: Don’t force or fake your smile. An animated smile will have the just opposite impact - making your efforts looks fake.
5. Be Courteous: Being polite has never really hurt anyone. Wear your best manners as besides your appearance your mannerisms will create a positive impact on the interviewer. Knock softly on the door twice with your knuckle before entering the interview room, greet cheerfully, ask for permission to sit, keep your bag on the floor next to your chair, keep your folder in your lap, keep your hands at your side or in your lap, nod lightly while listening and try to make eye contact. Always leave saying “thank you”.
What not to do: Banging the door, peeping into the door if other candidate is inside the room for interview, sitting on the chair without asking, fidgeting with things or hands, using interviewers table to put your bag or folder on it.
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