My Ultimate Guide to Getting the Job
- Christine Ton
- Apr 22, 2015
- 4 min read

Please note that these tips and tricks will not GUARENTEE you a job...DUH!
But I do have some great tips for you guys. Now every job is different, so they are going to be looking for different things in their interviews. My expertise is in business.
Through several mock interview training, plenty of real interviews, and lots and lots of research...I'm going to compile for you guys what I believe an interviewer is searching for. I have been waiting to write something a little more business base for my blog, and I was so excited to get home today to do it!
So how do you get the job...?
1. Apply, DUH. Some businesses prefer that you call and check in on your application. Which is great if they are getting tons applicants. But even a better way to get noticed? Go in to the business....introduce yourself, and let them know you are interested in the position and wanted to come meet the manager! First impressions are just about everything.
2. So they call you in for an interview. What do you wear?
Unless they tell you of other attire, business professional is the way to go. Ladies, I suggest not wearing anything over 2 inch heels. For the life of me, I will never understand how anyone could walk into an interview wearing anything over that, or with anything but dress shoes for that matter. Your skirt better be to your knees, and for goodness sakes, don't show cleavage (Wear a nice blouse, tucked in, and with a blazer if appropriate weather. Your shirt underneath should NEVER go past your blazer). These things may be obvious to most of you, but if I had a dollar for every time I saw someone wear something tragic to an interview, I would be rich! OH, and COLOR is important.
For Men AND Women: No reds, neutral colors are great, and blues are too! No patterns please. Blue colors are "trust worthy," and reds are too bold. Men, dress shoes, dress pants that aren't too short or too long, and a tie!
3. So what are you bringing?
Well if you are getting a full-time business professional job...your resume is key. How you bring it? Padfolios are perfect...get the kind with note taking ability (so bring a pen!). It is absolutely okay to take notes during an interview, as long as they aren't too lengthy, and you are still able to keep eye contact. But don't just bring 1 resume.. bring several. You never know how many people will be interviewing you!
Bring at LEAST 3 questions. At the end at almost any interview, they will ask you if you have any questions. My favorite general questions include: "What are you looking for in a person for this particular position?", "When do you expect to have the position filled?", and "Is there room to grow within the company?".
4. When you enter the interview, be there at least 10 minutes early. Give a firm handshake, be enthusastic, and be prepared. When you walk in, you better know what you have applied for, what the job expectations are, and understanding what the company is all about. Looking at their vision and mission statement can be extremely helpful to faking your way through the interview. That sounds pretty terrible, but you want the job right? When researching the company and position, find ways to tie those details in when answering the question.
Many interviews are different. If the interviewer is giving you situational type questions, lay the scenario out. What your job was, what the problem was, and how you handled it. Google the "STAR" method when answering these types of questions. But beforehand, PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE!
5. So you got through the interview..now what? Get a business card or email address from the person(s) who interviewed you. Thank them, let them know that if they have any further questions for you, to feel free to contact you. But most importantly, send a THANK YOU note. Email is typically best. The sooner after the interview, the better.
Make it short and sweet. I could easily get into all the gritty details, but I'll save you all the read.
So what if you don't get the job? Just because you didn't get the job, doesn't mean you suck at life. I applied to over 200 jobs before I found one!! It's not easy, and its a scary world out there. If you want something, you have to work for it. Utilize career services at your school, and look for examples online when creating resumes or even thank you's. These are your first and last impressions, so do it right the first time.
I could write a novel on this, but then I would never get to sleep. Did I mention to get PLENTY of sleep the night before? Feel free to contact me, subscribe, whatever, if you would like more insight on getting the job. But until then...
Happy Reading and Good Luck!
xo,
Christine
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