Don't spend the bulk of the interview, therefore, trying to convince the employer that you have the right skills and experience for the job. He already knows that. Your assignment during the interview is twofold: (1) Project a professional upbeat image, and (2) talk benefits-what about you will make life easier, more productive, more exciting and more profitable for him.
Let's talk about image first. It's a concept everyone (small business, government, large corporation) is concerned with. Admittedly it's a buzz word, but it represents a valid concern for the employer. You need to understand, therefore, what image is all about and how to project yourself in the best possible light.
Image comprises four distinct ingredients: Appearance, Values, Competence and Behavior. The job of a personnel department, or the assigned interviewer, is to evaluate each of your image ingredients and decide if the image you project is the one the organization wants to buy.
Appearance
Appearance is probably the easiest of the image ingredients to control. You will want to project an upbeat professional appearance, so invest in a new outfit, including shoes. (If you are applying for a government job, do not overdress. It will intimidate those who are interviewing you.) If you are a woman, make sure you project competence, not cuteness. Frills and ruffles, head-to-toe pastels and/or exaggerated color-coordination translate to "cute." If you're applying for an administrative or secretarial position, you might get away with cute attire, but not if you're interviewing for a managerial or executive position. If you are a man applying for a professional position, dress in a suit or coat and tie. It doesn't matter if you were allowed or encouraged to wear baggy pants and Hush Puppies in your last job: This is a new ball game. Further, don't make the mistake of dressing like the people already working for that firm. They work there; you are being interviewed. It's a significant difference.
Whether you are male or female, follow these rules when assembling an interview outfit: (1) Dress for where you want to go, not for where you are now. (2) Spend more money for your clothes than you normally would-the investment will pay off handsomely later. (3) Dress conservatively, but not in a matronly or old-fashioned style. And (4) Wear natural fibers: wool, cotton, silk. Stay away from 100 percent polyester clothing; it doesn't breathe and after several wearings, it loses its crispness. Incorporate a bounce or a flair into your interview outfit. By this I mean a subtle sign that you're different and interesting-a Kiwanis pin, a striking piece of jewelry, a pocket handkerchief, etc. In all likelihood you will be asked back for a second and, perhaps, a third interview. Therefore, you will need to assemble two or three quality outfits. The basic question you should ask yourself is, "Do I look as upbeat and professional as I possibly can?"
Next, think about how you want to look. Scan magazines for pictures of models who project the image you want for yourself. Study their clothing and grooming. Cut the pictures out and put them on your refrigerator or somewhere to remind yourself of the image you want to project in your job search.
Appearance also means grooming, hairstyle, makeup, and how you put yourself together. Think of yourself as a wonderful gift you're presenting to a potential employer. No matter how outstanding you are, you will appear even better if you're wrapped in a lovely package. Women, don't date yourself with a hairstyle you wore back in 1955. The same holds true for makeup: the heavy powdered look is long gone, so are penciled-in eyebrows. Styles change. Project a contemporary image, an image of someone who welcomes, rather than resists, change. Men, you may not want to look like you've just stepped out of GQ, but you must look crisp, well-groomed and contemporary in your dress.
Many department stores have personal shoppers who will help you assemble an appropriate work wardrobe. Their ser-vices are generally free. Tell the personal shopper what your budget is, what position(s) you are applying for, and allow him or her to pull several different outfits together for you. It can save you money in the long run, and you'll be confident knowing you will look your best.
Values
Values constitute the second image ingredient. They are what we stand for-our belief system (self-reliance, personal integrity, status, family, spiritual growth, achievements, independence, security, whatever). Values motivate us. The employer must decide if you will enhance or hurt the organization. Are you an employee who will disappear at exactly 5:00 P.M., or will you be there to answer the phone at 5:08 P.M.? Will you give more than a full day's work for a full day's pay?
The employer will try to assess your values by asking "self-knowledge" questions: "What is your greatest strength? Your greatest weakness?''
What are your values? Are they reflected in your behavior? Which of them do you want to convey to the interviewer? How will you do that?
Competence
Competence is the third image ingredient the employer will assess. Your competence means your skills, so you may be asked technical questions about your area(s) of expertise. The employer is simply trying to gauge your skill level. Your responses should be crisp and well organized. Don't repeat yourself or talk the subject into the ground. Again, your qualifications are already a given. Now, it's just a matter of presenting that knowledge in a persuasive manner.
Take a moment to evaluate your skills. Some are generic (i.e., most employers will be interested in them), but some will interest only specific employers. Which ones are these? They are the ones you want to accentuate. List them next.
The interviewer is trying to accomplish two tasks - both of which have to do with image. First, he or she is trying to assess your image. Do your appearance, values, competence and behavior work together to make a coherent whole, or is one ingredient somehow fighting another? In other words, is there a glitch in the system called YOU? Do you verbally have no problem proclaiming yourself a professional, yet dress or act unprofessionally?
Second, the interviewer is trying to determine if your image will enhance the organization. The interviewer's reputation is on the line: His or her selection is a direct reflection on him or her. If the choice is a winner, his or her status in the company will rise; a loser (especially if this is a repeat performance) will diminish his or her reputation. Because the interviewer must be cautious, you must do everything you can to persuade him or her that you are someone who will not only do the job but will make that interviewer look good in the process.
