1. Dress the Part
A lot of what you should wear depends on the industry, and the position. In the business and financial worlds, get out your best suit, and if you're a dude, tie. If you're seeking work in a creative field, you can be a little more casual, but make sure everything is clean and wrinkle-free. (Yup, it's finally time to unpack that iron Mom sent you off to college with.) Most of all, though, wear what makes you feel good. Being confident from the moment you walk into the room bodes well for the rest of the interview.
2.Don't dress too heavily
You'll probably be a teeny bit nervous as is, so don't exacerbate it with layers. Nothing looks worse than someone literally sweating through an interview.
3. Punctuality, Please!
This is a no-brainer. If you're traveling to an unfamiliar city, do a dry run the evening before to make sure you don't get lost. Get to your location a little early, giving yourself a few minutes to find a happy, self-assured place in your head.
4. Know Something
Read up on the company, the industry and the competition. Find a way to sneak in some of that knowledge during the interview process. Everyone likes the student who does his or her homework. If you know something about the person who is conducting your interview, even better. The beauty of Google is you just might discover the guy behind the desk is as into D & D as you are. And that's a great way to establish rapport.
5. Ask Questions
You will be asked if you've got any questions, and you want to take advantage of this opportunity! Remember that you're interviewing the company, as well, to see if it's a good fit for you and your career goals. Ask about the culture, the growth potential, the challenges. ASK!
6. Be Happy
Good eye contact is essential - as well as a firm, but not bone-crushing, handshake. DON'T STARE AT THE FLOOR! Fake confidence until you feel confident - you'll be surprised at how well this works. And smile.
7. Get Specific
Before the interview, identify accomplishments you want to be sure to share. If you've got numbers to back them up, even better. Talk these through with a friend beforehand. Jot down a few notes. You can't really overprepare for this stuff.
Follow Up!
Thank you notes NEVER go out of style - and in this case, snail mail is the way to go. In your note, remind the interviewer of all the valuable traits you bring to the job and company. Let them know just what excites you about the position and the company. Keep it short, and invest in some stationery with your name on it. (In other words, don't use anything with Snoopy.)
Good luck!
