Positive Attitude can Impact Job Search
Sitting across from the interviewer, does your defeatist attitude and hostile body language say: “This is the umpteenth interview I’ve had in the past month, and all I got were rejections. Yeah, I know you’re not going to hire me either.”You may be the best prospect for the job, but the negative image you project will kill your chances. Conversely, a positive attitude, along with your excellent qualifications, will make you a prime candidate. Suggestions on improving your chances of nailing the job include:
1. Dress for success: No matter if the interview is for a blue-collar or office job, favorable appearance is critical. Male applicants can never go wrong by appearing in a suit and tie, and women in a simple business dress or pants suit.2. Forget the fads of the day: Dyed blue hair, hip-huggers, sandals and jewelry dangling from various parts of your face and body could offend the interviewer. If you have tattoos, cover them up. Simply, if you want to make a radical political or social comment, do it in a protest march, not when you’re to be interviewed for a job.3. Take Mom's advice: During the interview, don’t slouch. Sit up straight in the chair, look the interviewer in the eyes and give positive answers. Your role in the interview should consist primarily of answering questions, and doing it without mumbling or hesitation. However, if important information needs to be covered and has not yet been asked, tell the interviewer quickly in precise words without long explanations.4. Don’t dally: The interviewer will indicate when the session is over. You may think it’s too short, but consider that other candidates are waiting and the person facing you is very busy. At that moment, don’t go into a panic of explanations, excuses and other obvious attempts to prolong the interview. Just get up, offer a good bye and leave.5. Follow up: You’re back home and feel positive that you’ve aced the interview. However, after several days have passed without any response from the interviewer, you begin to worry that you won’t get the job. What you should do within a day or two of the interview is send an email thanking the interviewer for the time and consideration shown to you.If there’s still no response, after five working days, call the interviewer and ask directly if you’ve been chosen for the job. Of course, do all contacts with a positive and courteous attitude.
