Career Information Online

I’ve blogged before about the mistakes a person can make when on an interview.  One of the faux pas that is often made has to do with how a person is dressed.  No matter what, conservative dress is best when it comes to the job interview – at least that’s what I say. 

Now I have found some validation that this is true.

A recent survey done by Syracuse University and Total Executive Inc. of 300 hiring professionals found that the way a person is dressed is the third reason a candidate is hired or not hired, only behind communication skills and presentation ability. 

So what does this mean to the average job seeker?  Dress your best, no matter what, when you go to an interview.  I’ve had conversations with people who are afraid to dress for an interview because they are coming right from work.  They don’t want anyone at their current employer to suspect they are interviewing for a new position so they dress as if it were a regular day at work.  I can respect those feelings – you don’t want to put your current job in jeopardy for a position you don’t have yet.

What can you do if this is the case?  If you’re a guy, wear a button-down shirt and nice slacks to work.  Pack a tie and jacket in your car (and dress shoes if you wear casual shoes) to put on before you go to your interview.  If you take public transportation to work this might not be an option.  If you’re a woman, maybe you can wear the slacks and blouse of a nice suit and put the jacket on before you enter the interview.  A conservative blouse and skirt work well as an interview option.

It comes down to this – how committed are you to this new interview and getting this new position?  If you really want to take a good shot at getting the new job you’ll do whatever it takes, even if it means pulling over in the parking lot of a gas station to change your shirt.  You never get a second chance to make a first impression – isn’t that what the commercial says?  It’s also true when it comes to a job interview.

Leaving your current employer for a new job can be stressful enough.  Having to change jobs and move to a new city or state can up your stress levels to new highs.  Some employers will offer relocation assistance from a service to help you in your search for a place to live.  You might not have that benefit available to you, so once you’ve decided to accept the new position some of your first calls will probably be to find some good real estate agents in your new city.

If you’re not familiar with the new city it’s going to be a challenge to find decent housing.  What neighborhoods are good, and what ones are not so good (in terms of safety or crime rates)?  Is there only one school district or school for the town, or are there several different schools?  If this is the case and you have a family you’re going to want to consider the quality of education for your children.  It’s a smart move to contact a local expert to help you make these significant life decisions.

Don’t be afraid to ask the hard questions of these agents.  You’re looking for a place to set down roots and (maybe) raise your family, so you need to be comfortable with the person you select to help you in your search for a new house.  Remember that the real estate agent works for you, and not vice versa.  If you don’t like the first person you speak with there are many other qualified individuals to help you find your new residence.

If you’re heading out on an interview, don’t be surprised if the company requires different types of interview testing as a part of the process.  More and more companies are incorporating testing into their standard hiring procedures.  Pre employment testing in the interview process can help the company screen out anyone that doesn’t meet the requirements of the position, thus decreasing potential turnover and saving the company money in the long run.

These pre employment tests can fall into the following categories:

Skills tests.  These tests are administered to make sure you have the skill set you say you have.  If you list on your resume that you type 80 words per
minute you might be asked to prove it.

Aptitude tests.  A potential employer wants to make sure you have the ability to do a job.  This is different from a skills test, as you might not have the specific skills for the position but would be taught them by the company.

Personality tests.  If the position you’re interviewing for requires an outgoing and energetic person and you are neither, a pre employment personality test can help the company realize this before you take the job and realize it isn’t right for you.

Drug tests.  Many employers require a pre employment drug screen.  Don’t be surprised if you are asked to do so.

Don’t be alarmed if you are asked to take one or more tests during the application process.  It’s becoming standard procedure for many companies hiring today.