Nail Your Interview

For students who have recently graduated this 2020 or plan to graduate soon, interviewing for a job just became a lot more interesting. With Covid-19 among us a lot of things are done differently including interviews. In 2020 the employer may not call you in for a in person interview. But you still need to prepare to look your best via Zoom.  Kendra Black, a Front desk Agent supervisor at Holiday Inn and Suites in Maple Grove talked about her experience interviewing people, and what caught her attention or threw her off.

 “Not to seem super judgmental but I do check what they’re wearing, because I do think it’s important for the job they’re applying for.” Clothes is the first thing she notices when someone walks in to be interviewed. 

“The clothing is the first thing I judge.” 

“I look more to see if they’re dressed appropriately though,” she added. 

I asked Kendra if someone dressing more stylish ever made them stand out to her more than others. “I think clothing speaks a lot to who someone is as a person.” I think you can be unique, fashionable, and still professional,” she said. 

“And I think it is more fun now, where you can mix and match different pieces, especially for women,” she added.  

Last year a lot of people didn’t know about zoom or how to use it, but now it is all people talk about. It has changed the way we communicate in 2020 and has been the best source for following social distancing. It does not feel the same as being in person with someone and it can be extremely difficult to get used to, but we still have to continue applying for jobs and doing interviews. 

Kendra said the best way to stand out over zoom is blazers.

“Blazers, I’m a sucker for blazers.”

“I think they’re a clean image, they’re professional looking, and you can mix and match underneath and do fun prints,” she said. 

Here are more tips on how to stand out on zoom and in person interviews. 

Look up the workplace environment: Whether you want to work for Target, Medtronic, 3M, General Mills, Subway, or a journalist it is important to do your research and really get to know the company you could potentially work for. Most companies should have a mission statement on their site. Read their mission statement and make sure it resonates with who you are as a person. Look for pictures on their site and pay attention to what the offices look like. How are the people dressed? Is it casual, business casual, suit and tie?

Have good lighting and clear background: An employer doesn’t want to see your clothes stacked in the corner of your room or the posters all over your room. We wouldn’t want them to have a preconceived notion that you would be messy or unorganized at the workplace because of a messy area of your room. Choose a solid-colored plain wall and a bright lamp to illuminate your face. Avoid sitting with windows behind you because it can make you appear as a dark silhouette and hide your face. 

Make sure your internet works: In the new era of zoom I have learned there is nothing worse than having your internet go in and out for an interview or important meeting. The embarrassment of having your screen freeze with your mouth half open should be enough for you to test this before the interview. Try testing out the internet in your house to figure out where it works best to avoid any disruptions. 

You can never go wrong with a good blazer: A blazer is a must have for everyone to have in their closet. If you want to look like you’re trying without actually having to try, do yourself a favor and buy a blazer. It works for several different jobs and is easy to dress up or business casual. They even come in several different colors, like black, yellow, baby blue, pink, and more. It is definitely a staple piece to have in your closet.  

Avoid skin break outs: If you’re going to an interview in person, it is more than likely you will be required to wear a mask. Ladies save your skin from breaking out and avoid putting make up on the bottom half of your face that your mask covers. Fix your eyebrows the way you like them, dab some foundation on your forehead, and add some lashes if you’d like to make your eyes more expressive. But save yourself time on getting ready and your skin and skip the bottom half of your face.