A job interview can be a scary and intimidating yet necessary aspect of securing a job.  It is vital that you are well prepared and ready to make your best impression.  All phases of your interview process need to be carefully planned by you before hand to minimize the chance of making any mistakes that would prevent you from getting the job.

There are many things to do when preparing for an important job interview.  From what to say to how to look, you have to cover all bases.  In the first part of this series, tips 1-4 will give you insight on how to look and sound your best.

Tip #1 - Dress appropriately.  It is not necessary to overdress, such as wearing a suit and tie if you are applying to be a construction worker, however, it is always a good idea to be presentable.  For example, if you are applying for a construction job do not just wear jeans and a T-shirt either. 

If you are applying for a job such as this, wear a pair of slacks with a collared shirt.  On the other hand, if you are applying to be a stock broker you might want to go with the suit and tie.  The goal is to look nice and presentable so that the employer has a great first impression of you, but to also dress appropriately for the job for which you are applying.

Tip # 2 - Look presentable.  You always want to go into an interview well groomed, however, the more professional the job description, the more professional your appearance needs to be.  Clients are more likely to warm up to employees they feel are “above the rest”.  If you are applying for a high profile job you may want to consider getting your hair and nails done, buying a new suit or dress, wearing makeup, and having a clean shaven face.

Tip #3 - Rehearse.  You will want to rehearse the things you want to say to an employer.  The last thing you want to do is wing it and risk stumbling around for your words or forgetting many of the things you planned to say.  The more you rehearse, the more your interview responses will flow and the better you will remember your intended topics.

Tip #4 - Ask questions.  A good way to prepare for an interview with an employer is to know exactly what to expect.  The best way to do this is by asking a current employee or someone else who may have applied for the same job.  A friend or family member would be the most ideal place to receive this information.

In the next two sections we will explore how to prepare for your interview dialog and non-verbal actions that may help you achieve your goal.