Appropriate Interview Attire Tips

By Keisha White

Career Services – Antonelli College Cincinnati

The first impression you make on a prospective employer is the most imperative one. The first opinion an interviewer makes is going to be based on how you look and what you are wearing. That's why it's always important to dress professionally for a job interview, even if the work environment is casual. What's the appropriate dress code for an interview you ask? You'll want that first impression to be not just a good one, but, a great one. The candidate dressed in a suit and tie is going to make a much better impression than the candidate dressed in scruffy jeans and a t-shirt.

Men's Interview Attire

Suit (solid color – navy, dark grey, or black)

Long sleeve shirt (white or coordinated with the suit)

Belt

Tie

Dark socks, conservative leather shoes

Little or no jewelry

Neat, professional hairstyle

Limit the aftershave

Neatly trimmed nails

Portfolio or briefcase

Women's Interview Attire

Suit (navy, black or dark grey)

The suit skirt should be long enough so you can sit down comfortably

Coordinated blouse

Conservative shoes

Limited jewelry (no dangling earrings or arms full of bracelets)

No jewelry is better than cheap jewelry

Professional hairstyle

Neutral pantyhose

Light make-up and perfume

Neatly manicured clean nails

Portfolio or briefcase

What Not to Wear on a Job Interview

Flip-flops or sneakers.

Underwear (bras, bra straps, briefs, boxers, etc.) that is visible. Don't wear any underwear that shows, even if your bra straps match your top.

Shorts.

Jeans.

Skirts that are too short.

Pants that are too low-rise or too tight.

Blouses that are too low-cut or too short - don't show your cleavage or your belly.

What Not to Bring to the Interview

Gum

Cell phone

Ipod

Coffee or soda

If you have lots of piercings, leave some of your rings at home (earrings only, is a good rule)

Cover tattoos

Interview Attire Tips

Before you even think about going on an interview, make sure you have appropriate interview attire and everything fits correctly. It wouldn’t be a bad idea to get your clothes ready the night before, so you don't have to spend time getting them ready on the day of the interview. If your clothes are dry clean only, take them to the cleaners after an interview, so they are ready for next time. Make sure to polish your shoes and bring a breath mint and use it before you enter the building.

Have questions regarding appropriate interview attire? Please contact Keisha White at keisha.white@antonellicollege.edu.

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Back to School Fair - Ohio

Antonelli College donated 500 bags filled with school supplies to the people of the community. Thanks everyone who helped make it a success!

Job Interview Preparation Tips

By: Keisha White
Career Services
Antonelli College Cincinnati

Before a job interview, make sure you have prepared and are set for it. Job interview preparation is necessary for every applicant. There are a few things you need to consider for that big day: personal grooming, character, promptness, and ethics. Most people are frightened with this kind of encounter, maybe because they are not prepared for it.

When you go to a job interview less prepared, this decreases the likelihood of you getting the job. You need to create a good impression and make a stupendous recall from the employer. So here are some points to remember as part of your job interview preparation.

First, research the company’s profile. When you want to be employed with a certain company, you have to know what they are doing in the industry. You need to research on their background, achievements, and milestones. Get necessary data on their organization such as products, services and other relevant issues. Identify their mission and vision and try to make a connection with your career objectives.

Oftentimes, the interviewer might ask you questions aligning your principles along with theirs. If you come across negative facts, just leave it. Do not bring it up during the interview. Also, you need to be familiar with the position you are applying for as well. Learn to identify the job description and other functions. It is also very important to know the location of the company. This will help you estimate the travel time from your house to your destination.

Second, try practice answering job interview questions and ask someone to evaluate your answers. It is good to let a different point of view appraise your ability in answering. Plus, it will also help you achieve confidence when talking to another person. Whether in school or with a staffing agency, you may undergo a mock interview. These are helpful to measure your quality by going over the feedback. You may also want to check online for some common job interview questions and how to answer them. Here are some questions to practice for:

1. Why have you chosen this company?
2. How will you make an impact in this company?
3. Why should they hire you?
4. What are your qualifications that are suitable for the position applied?

Third, get your interview marketing kit ready. This is a folder where essential documents are gathered so that when you go out and have your interview, you don’t have to be so jumpy in looking for your documents. In this folder, you will have your resume, certificates, references, and other essential documents. The interviewer might start by having a quick scan of your resume and pose some questions. So make sure to study your resume well. Be familiar with the entries you’ve written because if you sound unsure with the resume-related questions, your employer might think you are lying so answer honestly and clearly.

Lastly, as part of your job interview preparation, groom yourself. Days before your interview, you should have readied what clothes you are going to wear. Remember, even if you sound confident and positive, physical appearance is one of the factors that will be considered. You need to present that you are the whole package they are looking for.


Have questions in regards to preparing for a job interview? Please contact Keisha White at keisha.white@antonellicollege.edu.

Networking Etiquette

By: Keisha White
Antonelli College Cincinnati, OH
Career Services

Building your personal brand has become an imperative factor in promoting yourself to hiring managers, employers, and potential clients. One facade of building your trademark is networking and building your connections. Networking should be done online or offline by following appropriate etiquette which can help build upon your reputation and character.

As you worked hard to network online and build your online brand, you should work harder to build it offline. Your personality online should be the same away from the computer screen. Introduce yourself with a firm handshake, perfect your 30-second elevator pitch, and make it creative and memorable. Have business cards handy to pass out to those you network with. When meeting professionals at a networking event try to connect with them online as well so they don’t forget who you are later on.

Dress in suitable attire for the event. If you are not sure what the dress code is for a networking event, over-dress for the occasion. It would be disturbing to have your personal brand take a dive because all they could remember is what you wore to an event.

Networking goes both ways! Know that it is not always about your overall agenda. Provide assistance to your future connection. Stay in contact with your connections. Send e-mails or call them to chat. Sharing articles and information can help build your reputation as a trustworthy professional or as a person your contacts can go to for information. Be truthful in the information you share. Those you are connecting with will know if your intentions are not for real and end up putting a dent in your personal brand.

Remember, what you say and what you do in a room full of professionals or on Facebook can have a lasting effect on your image. How you present yourself to future connections can help or hinder with a future job lead or a new client.

Have questions regarding networking etiquette? Please contact Keisha White at keisha.white@antonellicollege.edu.