Your appearance makes all the difference! How many times have we all heard that a person can determine if your cmpatible with them within the first thirty seconds! They say the same thing about the first date, that the girl or guy will already have determined if they would go on a second date before the first five minutes of the date! That’s crazy right? Wrong! It’s true, and you know we all do it, we are so quick to base a persons everything based not only on how they are dressed but how they present their self.
Growing up I always heard how important it is to keep your composure because you may not know anyone at that mall, or at that store but people know you. Establishing that your appearance depending on the position makes all the difference. If one were applying for a job at a tattoo parlor it would of course be different than one who was applying at a Five-Star Restaurant. It’s common sense right, but one shoudl not underestimate the importance of their appearance. A few things I have come to learn about job interviews is not only appearance but approach. How you approach the individual or individuals interviewing you shows them a lot about your character and composure. Always keep your cool, and go in with confidence. Too many times I have seen people go into a job interview or a conversation even with an important individual and all the sudden they become so insecure and nervous. Go in with confidence, your being interviewed for a job not questioned for a crime. Although how this interview goes may depend on your bills getting paid, or whatever the case may be, confidence will go further than insecurity. By no means do I associate “cockyness” with confidence. That’s two different boats in my opinion.
I have a strategy, or tactic in a sense I guess, that no matter how important a person you approach them with respect, and with composure, but don’t act like a child who just saw their favorite music artist or something. Act like your on the same status so to speak, not with how you talk to them, but mentally, act like you guys are in the same position, whether you are talking to the head of the company or an assistant manager. Research the company/firm you are looking to work for! Maybe even try, if possible, to kind of get to know someone within the company and ask them questions maybe about the managers personality or personal questions, like how they feel about the company, how they are treated, things like that.
One of the most important things I have learned while growing up is follow up! Follow up on your itnerview with calling the company and asking about your application or your interview, and the position. It shows that you are highly interested in this job/position! It does make a difference, and there is a line between desperate and eager. Show them that this position is really important to you, and that it is not just about the income but rather your passion for the position.Oh ya, and to all those who only focus on their school work through out college and stay in their dorm, you have to get out. Experience goes a lot further than GPA. Here are a few sources/web-sites that may be able to help further your knowledge on successful interviews. Good luck! 
http://www.ehow.com/how_2263141_do-well-job-interview.html
http://www.prsa.org/jobcenter/
http://job-interview-skills.suite101.com/article.cfm/how_to_do_well_in_a_job_interview
http://www.worktree.com/tb/IN_mistakes.cfm
I liked how you talked about the importance of basically having a life outside of school work and classes. I think that a lot of people that do well in school miss that. If you do not know how to relate to people and present yourself well in an interview, then you will have no future outside of the academic environment.
I also agree with the importance of your appearance. It is so important to dress professionally and to have a good first impression on the company. The best way to do this, is to dress professionally, and have confidence while walking into an interview. Good blog with a lot of good tips! Thanks!
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When I was younger my parents always got on to me because I’m more of a PJ’s all day, no makeup, hippy kinda gal. They told me that first impressions make all the difference. As I’m getting older, even though I don’t agree with having to dress up and look nice on a regular basis, I’m starting to see where they come from. First impressions, no matter how off they may be, are lasting impressions. You only get one chance to make a first impression, make it count…
Thank you for the compliment, I definitely have learned from experience how first impressions stick with people, and can make or break they’re reputation. Many people feel that people should accept them for who they are, but than they take it to the extreme, and feel like their freedom of expression is more important than their image. People will learn real quick though in the job industry that their freedom of expression wont get them too far in the business world.
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I know exactly what you meant with your sentence about you may not know the people, but they know you. I think a lot of people forget that when we are out in public. I do think it’s crazy how the first five minutes basically determines what happens for us, it really makes me realize that first impressions are everything and are important. I think it’s true what you said, no matter who you are talking to it’s always important to keep your composure and treat the person with respect. Developing relationships is definitely important cause it’s going to help you either get a job or keep a job. Following up is a really good point to make. It’s really good to make sure you keep in contact to like you said show them that you really want the job.
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