Interview advice

[Corrderio]

Okay this might be a dumb post but considering how hard it is to get a job around where I live and a bank is having walk in interviews tomorrow I want some advice on what I can do to give me an edge over the others.

Anyway for a few questions...

1. I don't have a dress shirt and one is fairly pricey, however would that and a tie be worth it to stand out and look a bit more professional?

2. What kind of questions should I ask at the end of the interview if they give me the option?

3. What other advice should I give? Right now my friend says just have common sense: Be calm, be truthful, and a resume. Anything else?

Thanks in advance.

[BerenTebogo]

You will be required to wear a shirt and tie if you work at any(?) bank, so you should invest in one. Even if you only own one, you will never get a job at any place respectable if you go in for an interview without wearing one.

Other stuff, idk.

[Corrderio]

Bleh I was afraid of that, right now when I mean hardly any money I only mean about 40 in my account.

[BerenTebogo]

Just go to JCPenny or something? I dunno. I think they have some cheap.

Seriously though, that's one of the biggest things. Jobs like that have a strict dress code - if they don't think you can meet it by the time the interview is over your app will go right in the trash.

[Tyche]

Borrow clothes if you have to. Hell, you can find some ties and shirts at a thrift store. It's a walk-in interview. Stand out of the crowd.

[SaviorSelf]

Okay this might be a dumb post but considering how hard it is to get a job around where I live and a bank is having walk in interviews tomorrow I want some advice on what I can do to give me an edge over the others.

Anyway for a few questions...

1. I don't have a dress shirt and one is fairly pricey, however would that and a tie be worth it to stand out and look a bit more professional?

2. What kind of questions should I ask at the end of the interview if they give me the option?

3. What other advice should I give? Right now my friend says just have common sense: Be calm, be truthful, and a resume. Anything else?

Thanks in advance.

1. Yes, get one. It doesn't have to be expensive either. If you're only wearing it a few times on certain occasions (like this) then go to any cheap place like K-Mart/Target/Walmart or something and pick something up. Your appearance is the first thing they judge you on, dress to impress, etc.

2. "How closely is the safe guarded?" Aside from that though, any general concerns you might have are fine here. Don't let the first question be "How many days off do I have?".

3. Sound advice. Take a shot or something if you're nervous to loosen up. Be friendly, look nice and clean shaved. If you smoke, try not to before the interview. (Or just smoke, hop in the shower, then drive to the interview right after so you get your fix). Walk in, shake their hand, small talk with usual greetings.

Bitches love confidence and all that jazz too.

[SephYuyX]

1) Wear a suit, nothing less.
2) Ask questions about the company that eludes you know what the company is about. IE: "I saw that your mission statement said.. I was wondering if.."
3) Take a couple shots, then breathfreshnerness.

[Kumbai]

For interviews you should dress appropriately.. if you're going for a job which requires you to dress relatively smart, then go to the interview looking good. Even if you're applying for being a labourer or something, doesn't mean you should show up looking shit. Doesn't matter if it's a cheap shirt and tie. They won't care that much, just shows you're willing to make an effort. Stuff like being relatively well groomed is a good idea too. If you go in with a hobo beard it gives a bit of a wrong impression.

Just make sure your resume looks appealing. If it's messy/unorganised/spelling errors etc they'll just bin it. And make sure that the stuff in it is all true.. my friend lost out on a pretty good job cause she accidently said she worked somewhere for 13months rather than just the 1.

Interviews are you selling yourself at the end of the day. You wont be marked down on dressing well and looking professional, but you will for being slobby and unkept :3

[Meresgi]

When they ask where you see yourself in a few years dont say "Doing your wife."


Also buy a 5 dollar collared shirt at Wal-mart or w/e and a tie for another 5 bucks. Wear some dress slacks and shave and all that to look presentable. You're applying for a face to face job so you want to look good.

If they ask if you have questions at the end. Throw a couple out to show you're committing to the job in the long haul...even if you don't plan to stay there more then 2 months. Ask them what their policy is on advancement within the company.

[sephir]

My philosophy for a job interview is this: Always dress one step up above what is required in the workplace.

You should always be more dressed up for the job interview than on any day in the workplace.


But seriously. Be calm and don't ramble. Stick to your strong points and emphasize those, do not go into negatives about yourself EVER. But I think the bigger question is: Why do you not have a dress shirt? Hell you should have at least one for special occasions.

[SaviorSelf]

http://www.explosm.net/db/files/Comics/Rob/resume2.png

[wagon]

Suit, tie and clean shirt, no questions asked. On the day of the interview, you should know your work experience so thorough that you can answer questions about it at any given moment from multiple angles. You can also try to relate what you did at previous positions to the responsibilities of the current one. Prepare 45 sec answers for common questions like "tell me about yourself" or "why do you want to work for XXX?" and rehearse for perfect delivery because these questions are usually asked in the beginning of the interview and you want to start with a favorable impression. Also, don't forget firm handshakes and smile. Best of luck!

[Lyrai]

Be as personable as you can, because when you're in a service industry, customer service is going to be number one. In my last job interview, after I was hired, my Ops manager told me I was the only one that dressed appropriately for my interview and that put me at the top of the list to be hired.

Another good question to ask is, "What happens during an average day?" or "What's the overall atmosphere like?" You'll get a feel of your interviewer very quickly, and then you can have an idea of where to head. Don't be afraid to "rehearse" a few questions and answers to yourself ahead of time.

[Sonomaa]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TT_vf5ioXXk

[Corrderio]

Thanks a lot for the info guys. Going to suck having to spend money on some new clothes (Not a fan of clothes shopping) and shoes. However at least if I get something I can pay it off fast

[MarkM.]

I just kind of glanced at this, and I just woke up from a nap, but one thing I've been told that a lot of younger people don't do, and by younger I mean 35 and under is look people in the eyes when talking to them. Do this, and you will win a lot of brownie points. Don't stare, but when you are talking to your interviewer try to look them in the face.

[Weiing]

Also, don't forget firm handshakes and smile. Best of luck!

What I'm always curious about is I always (as the interviewee) go with the firm handshake but the interviewer's handshake is weak, which makes everything feel so weird. You'd imagine they would have a firm and proper handshake, too.

[Mayareira]

Could borrow dress, but even Target has fairly cheap suits you can buy for 40.

A suit is a MUST. Once you make some money, buy the best you can unless you are rich enough to afford wearing cheap suit.

[Corrderio]

Well another suit question. Do you think the dress shirt and slacks with a tie would be enough? Or would you say the extra money for the overcoat is worth it to?

[Mayareira]

It is an interview. Blazer is a plus, and you can't have the luxury to throw away an easy "plus" like that.

If you can't buy, borrow it but make sure you maintain a good color combination up and down.