Kathy Orcutt is the founder and president of Preferred Staffing & Recruiting. She has twenty years of experience in the recruiting industry in the great Boston area. As a woman-owned and DBE business, Kathy and her PS&R team provide permanent and temporary workforce solutions for a broad range of businesses.
We asked Kathy what advice she would give a candidate who is trying to make the best possible impression at a job interview. Here are her thoughts:
Dress professionally and be punctual.
Even if the company comes across as casual, you will make a better impression if you are overdressed rather than underdressed. Also, make sure you are on-time for your scheduled interview. It sounds obvious, but you’d be surprised by how often candidates arrive late without any communication.
Be a good listener and ask thoughtful questions.
Your interview is an opportunity for the hiring manager to learn about you, but you don’t want to drone on endlessly about your background and skills. Make sure not to talk over the interviewer and give them a chance to ask follow-up questions. When it’s your turn to ask questions, go beyond the basics. Inquire about the culture of the company and how the position fits and interacts with the broader organization. These types of questions show that you are interested in learning more about their business and the opportunity at hand.
Watch your body language.
Again, it might seem like a no brainer, but often when we’re nervous we lose sight of our body language. Make sure to smile and make eye contact. Try not to slouch or fidget while answering questions. As they say, you never get a second chance to make a first impression!
