Interview Mistakes to Avoid (Part I)

You are applying for your dream job! Don't blow it! 1) Ladies (and men!) leave the stilettos at home. The first sign you will not be hired is if you are not dressed for the part. Either overdress with too much makeup, jewelry, or impractical shoes. This is the not the look that says I can put in a 12 hour day in these things. Show you are serious - that does not mean dowdy but it does mean you don't wear every fashion forward piece you own at once. You can also dress too down for an interview. Say you are applying for an entry level job in a mail room, don't come in running shoes and t-shirt to the interview. Wear sophisticated clothes - one step above what is to be expected on the job, not a whole ladder. 2) Don't air your grievances. One of the most important parts of the interview is when you explain the decisions you have made - why you have chosen prior jobs and why you are moving to another job now. These explanations speak volumes about your motivation and attitude. It is never flattering to use this time to air your frustrations about your current boss or bad situation. Find a positive way to frame the situation. You don't have to fake it and say it was all rosy, but say how much you learned from your experiences and how you have learned to deal with difficult situations in a positive way.