By the way, the reference sheet should be typed on the same paper stock as your resume and headed with your name. Included should be the names of three to five people who know you well and will say nice things about you. List the name, title, address, and telephone number. Don't include any relatives, and be sure to ask your references in advance if they agree to the use of their name. One final tip, give a copy of your resume to your references and tell them the points you are trying to stress in your job search.
Reconnaissance Mission
Before the interview, conduct a route recon to determine the building location, if you've never been there before. Take note of where you will park and possible areas of traffic congestion.
You may discover in advance that you don't even want the job after you've evaluated potential commute problems. This will also allow you to time your trip properly on the day of the interview. I once had an appointment in downtown Miami in July.
I planned my trip to arrive at the site approximately ten minutes before my appointment, but failed to realize that the closest parking was seven blocks away. I had to park the car and sprint seven blocks through downtown Miami in the heat to get there almost on time. With the heat and humidity, you can imagine how I looked. By the way, don't get caught sneaking around the building on the day before the interview, peeking around comers like a private detective.
Punctuality
You should arrive at the appropriate office at least ten minutes before the appointed time, but not more than fifteen. If you arrive an hour early, as most over-achievers tend to do, you will throw the interview schedule off, and it might work against you. Further, if you have to sit around the office for any length of time, they will have a longer period to look at you.
In the Office
If you smoke, leave your cigarettes in the car. Even if the interviewer smokes, you should not. It is impossible to maintain eye contact while you're smoking. Three out of four people are nonsmokers anyway. In fact, you should remove any bulky items from your pocket, such as keys (don't lock them in your car), papers, or other paraphernalia.
When you arrive, you will probably be asked to fill out a long application for employment. Be sure you bring enough information with you to complete this form. Items such as dates, addresses, and names can be hard to remember. Take your time with this form and fill it out completely. Don't write, "see resume" in place of data - if the company had wanted to see your resume, it would not have asked you to complete the form. Because resumes differ so greatly, most companies like to use an application form. It ensures they get all of the information they need in the format they prefer. If you are prepared and fill out the form completely, you will again be ahead of the other candidates.
Assume everyone who has contact with you at the company on the day of the interview may be asked to evaluate you. If an employment manager is trying to decide between two candidates for a position and can't make up her mind, the first person she will ask for an opinion will be her secretary. You can be sure she is going to give her a candid view of her impressions. Act professional, but not stiff. Be friendly and conversational, but don't talk too much with the office staff. Be careful not to try to get too friendly or personal with them; they may go to lunch with you, but you won't get the job.
Before you are finally ushered in to meet the interviewer, make a last-minute check of your personal appearance. For men, is your tie straight? Are your socks pulled up tight? Are they the same color? Lapel pin right-side up? Are Shoes clean and shined? Hair combed? Is Portfolio under the left arm? (Leave the right free for handshakes.)
For women, are your makeup and lipstick okay? Is Shoes clean and shined? Is Hosiery okay? Is there is a Slip showing? Is Hair neat?
