I’ve been on a few job interviews lately, and I’d like to share some insights. If you’re new to the job search world, you’ll get lots of advice on what you should or should not do. In my state, if you’re on unemployment, you might have to attend some mandatory classes, like Interview Strategy Techniques. Here’s what I’ve learned:
Do not trim your bangs right before an interview. If you’re like me, you let your hair go too long between haircuts, and you don’t realize how shaggy and ridiculous you look until you step out of the shower and start prepping your appearance for that big interview. Some important things to remember: this is not the time to try and fix your shaggy hair. Also, if you have curly hair, it looks longer when it’s wet, and you don’t know which way the curls are going to bounce up that day. The result? One chunk of too-short bangs amid an otherwise even hairline across my forehead.
I did not get the job.
Do not try something new with your makeup right before a job interview. In the aforementioned mandatory class, the instructor said, “Remember powder? If you powder your face and put on a little rouge, this is a classic look, and will make you look younger.” I did not look younger. I looked like a clown corpse laid out for viewing.
I did not get the job.
Do your research. If you get contacted for an interview, go on the company’s website and take a crash course on their history, their mission statement, and recent news and events they’re highlighting. I went on a job interview for a content writer position, and did not do the ever-important Google search on them prior to interviewing. The third question they asked was, “Have you ever sued an employer?” Yikes. Turns out they had four lawsuits pending.
I did not want the job.
Expect the unexpected. I applied for a position as a communications writer with one company, except during the phone interview, it turned out they were actually looking for an event coordinator. I do not coordinate events. I’ve done it in the past in a volunteer capacity, though, and spoke to that experience while thinking, Yes, I planned this event, and hated every moment of it. It’s possible that lack of enthusiasm came through in my interview.
I did not get the job.
Don’t let the negative voices in your head have the final say. I’m a big believer that everything happens for a reason. I was not meant for that event coordinator job. I knew it. They knew it. And that’s okay. There are many other jobs out there, and some of them are things you would absolutely love to do. That enthusiasm will come out in your interview. And hopefully, the people interviewing you will ignore your poorly trimmed bangs and see what a great fit you are. If they don’t, well, then your perfect job is still out there.
You’ll get the job.
Do not trim your bangs right before an interview. If you’re like me, you let your hair go too long between haircuts, and you don’t realize how shaggy and ridiculous you look until you step out of the shower and start prepping your appearance for that big interview. Some important things to remember: this is not the time to try and fix your shaggy hair. Also, if you have curly hair, it looks longer when it’s wet, and you don’t know which way the curls are going to bounce up that day. The result? One chunk of too-short bangs amid an otherwise even hairline across my forehead.
I did not get the job.
Do not try something new with your makeup right before a job interview. In the aforementioned mandatory class, the instructor said, “Remember powder? If you powder your face and put on a little rouge, this is a classic look, and will make you look younger.” I did not look younger. I looked like a clown corpse laid out for viewing.
I did not get the job.
Do your research. If you get contacted for an interview, go on the company’s website and take a crash course on their history, their mission statement, and recent news and events they’re highlighting. I went on a job interview for a content writer position, and did not do the ever-important Google search on them prior to interviewing. The third question they asked was, “Have you ever sued an employer?” Yikes. Turns out they had four lawsuits pending.
I did not want the job.
Expect the unexpected. I applied for a position as a communications writer with one company, except during the phone interview, it turned out they were actually looking for an event coordinator. I do not coordinate events. I’ve done it in the past in a volunteer capacity, though, and spoke to that experience while thinking, Yes, I planned this event, and hated every moment of it. It’s possible that lack of enthusiasm came through in my interview.
I did not get the job.
Don’t let the negative voices in your head have the final say. I’m a big believer that everything happens for a reason. I was not meant for that event coordinator job. I knew it. They knew it. And that’s okay. There are many other jobs out there, and some of them are things you would absolutely love to do. That enthusiasm will come out in your interview. And hopefully, the people interviewing you will ignore your poorly trimmed bangs and see what a great fit you are. If they don’t, well, then your perfect job is still out there.
You’ll get the job.
Classic look, my fanny.
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