This document provides tips for preparing for a job interview. It recommends researching the company, practicing interview skills, learning about interview etiquette and dress code. Specifically, it suggests bringing copies of your resume and references, researching the company's mission, culture and values online, practicing interview answers, arriving early and sending a thank you note after the interview. Proper interview attire is also discussed.

2.  What to bring to the interview
 Research the Company
 Rehearsal
 Interview Etiquette
 Dress for Success

3.  A copy of the résumé you submitted for the
position
 A copy of your Business References
 A notebook to take notes during the interview
 A pen or pencil
 A smile and confidence; be proud you
received the opportunity

4. Note the skills the company is seeking, the
qualifications and company expectations:
 Punctuality
 Hard skills, Soft skills, PC competency
 Number of hours per week
 Shift work
 Work weekends and Holidays

5. Before you go to an interview it is important to
find out as much as you can about the
company.
Do this and you are better prepared to answer
the interview questions and ask questions
about the company.

6.  What is the company industry about
 What is the company’s Mission
 What are its’ values
 What is the company culture and is it the
right fit for you

7. Company culture is the personality of the work
environment from an employee’s perspective,
its’ structure, ethics, expectations, goals and
policies.

8.  Do staff work independently or is it a team
based work environment
 What is the management style
 Is the dress code business formal or casual.
 What is the company’s internal persona
IE: Small Business or Large Corporation

9. Visit the company website and click on the
“About Us” section to review the company’s:
 Mission Statement
 History
 Products and Services
 Management
 Company Culture

10. Many companies have a LinkedIn profile which
provides more information.
 Search for possible connections at the
company
 Discover who’s been promoted, new hires,
job postings, company statistics and related
companies

11. If you have the name of your interviewer(s) look
up their profile(s).
It will give you an understanding of their job
and background.
It also makes them less of a stranger and
enhances your comfort level.

12. Are they on Facebook or Twitter?
 Become a fan of the company on Facebook
 Follow the company on Twitter
 Search the company name on Google and
Google News

13.  Do you know someone who works for the
company?
 Do you have a friend with a friend who works
for the company?
 Networking, ask to be introduced, ask
questions about the company

14. Practice makes for a good interview and
increases your comfort level
 Use the internet to discover the most
common questions, answers and mistakes
 Visit your local Employment Resource Centre
to obtain information on how to prepare for
an interview

15.  Take an ERC Interview Workshop
 Book a “Mock Interview” at your local ERC or
with an Employment Counsellor
 Rehearse a fake interview with a friend or
family member

16.  At home sit in front of a full length mirror
and practice your answers and talking about
your skills
 Observe your eye contact, facial expressions,
posture and body language

17.  Arrive early for the appointment
 Smile
 Verbally greet the interviewer(s)
 Shake hands
 Always wait to be directed to where you
should sit in an interview; if in doubt ask
politely

18.  Make eye contact
 Listen attentively
 Do not interrupt
 Remember the magic words, please and
thank you
 Do not chew gum

19.  If you did not understand a question it is
permissible to ask for clarification
 To ask for a question to be repeated
 To ask questions about the position or
company if given the opportunity

20. Examples of appropriate question topics:
 The Company Culture
 Dress Code
 A description of an average working day

21. Do not ask or state:
 How much does this job pay?
 How much vacation time am I entitled too?
 I hated my job (the company, my co-workers)
 Do not share personal information if does not
relate to the position

22. At the end of the interview thank the
interviewer(s) for the opportunity.
Always send (within 24 hours) a Thank you
email to the person who invited you to the
interview and the interviewer(s) for the
opportunity.

23. Dress appropriately for a job interview
The first impression you make is crucial; the
first judgement an interviewer makes is based
on how you look and what you are wearing.

24. Begin with good hygiene (applies to both
genders):
 Clean body, teeth, nails and combed hair
 Fragrance free
 Less is more, clean, pressed, coordinated and
tidy is the best presentation
 No jeans or track shoes

25. Men:
 Dress shirt,
 Dress pants,
 Dress socks (no sweat socks)
 Dress shoes
 Tie is optional

26. If the company culture is corporate having an
inexpensive conservative suit and tie is an
asset; no suit use a neutral sports jacket.

27. Women:
 Light make up
 Dress
 Blouse and skirt,
 Pant suit,
 Blouse and dress pants
 Dress shoes

28. Nothing too revealing:
 Business length for dresses and skirts is 2”
above the knee
 Limited jewellery
 No “Flashy Bling”, dangling earrings or
bracelets which jingle
 Wear hosiery

29.  What to bring to the interview
 Research the Company
 Rehearsal
 Interview Etiquette
 Dress for Success
Good Luck and remember to Smile!