Interview tips are fairly universal when it comes to what to do and what to avoid. You already know to research the firm before you arrive, be polite, and dress accordingly. Common knowledge of what to do can help you, but it is always good to take in as many tips and advice as possible to make sure you ace the interview. Here are some interview tips that you normally would not hear:
Wardrobe.
A professional dress code is universal for any job interview, and is the most commonly given piece of advice. When choosing what to wear, consider the colors of your outfit. The colors you wear to an interview can send a message to the interviewer. The most often and best worn color is blue; orange is perceived as the worst color to wear, and can make you appear unprofessional. Grey is said to give off the impression that you are analytical, brown converts you are a dependable person, while wearing white indicates an organized personality. For accessories, green, yellow, and purple tend to give off the impression of creativity, but are used sparingly.
Food and Interviews.
Normally, you would not have a three-course meal before an interview. Large amounts of food can make you both uncomfortable and sleepy, which is not how you want to present yourself to a future employer. Foods with a high glycemic index, such as sweets and carbohydrates, will give you an energy boost, but will also make you crash when they are done breaking down. Foods high in tryptophan, like turkey, chicken, lamb, and soy, can also make you feel tired. Also, make sure to be hydrated. Being hydrated is a good way to feel energized, but don’t over hydrate to avoid running to the bathroom or feeling discomfort during the interview.
Plan for Blunders.
Human interactions can either go extremely smoothly or have flecks of awkward feelings. What will distinguish you as a strong candidate is being able to recover from any type of misstep that may occur during the interview. One mistake is to forget your interviewer’s name. A good way to remember is to work his or her name into the answer of a question. For example, respond by saying, “Well, Ms. Robinson, at my previous law firm…” If you happen to forget the interviewer’s name due to nervousness, simply ask for a business card at the end of the interview and thank him or her by name. It’s always good to practice for when there are lulls in the conversation. A phrase to fill in a gap between conversations is, “Does that answer your question?” It is a good way to know if the interview got what they needed from your response and it keeps the conversation going.
You can never have enough advice when it comes to preparing for an interview, and any type of advice can be helpful. Always remember to be confident in yourself and try your best to make a great impression on the interviewer.
For more tips on interviewing, read our blog: Negative Signals Job Candidates Send During an Interview.
