Simple Truths about Wardrobe and Grooming for Your Job Interview

We've already discussed how you have a number of opportunities to make a first impression on interviewers. Your body language is yet another example of this. Body language can start even before your meet the interviewer, and continues right through to the moment you drive away after the interview. Be prepared to greet the interviewer with a hearty handshake and engaging smile to set the tone, maintain an appropriate level of eye contact throughout the interview, and sit upright and poised in a way that shows attentive enthusiasm without appearing nervous. At the end of the interview, shake hands in parting and maintain your “stage presence” as you leave. Remember, someone may be observing you all the way to your car and as you drive away.

One colleague who coaches job seekers on body language spends 15 or 20 minutes teaching participants how to shake hands. Something so common and fundamental seems so simple, but it's yet another first-impression opportunity that is easily mishandled. You should reach for the other person's hand so that your hand meets his or hers midway between the two of you. The webbing between your thumb and index finger should meet the same webbing on the other person's hand, and your fingers should wrap around the heel of his or her hand with the tips of your fingers touching his or her wrist. Grip the hand firmly, but don't squeeze too hard—you want to grip the hand, not crush it. Gently pump no more than three or four times and release. Simultaneously, you should make eye contact, smile, and greet the person with “pleased to meet you, I'm so-and-so” or a similar appropriate phrase. That sounds like a great deal to think about, and it is. Practice it with a friend a few times until it feels natural and effortless.

Avoid the “dead fish” or “limp dishrag” handshake, in which you hang your hand out there and essentially make the other party do all the work. And again, don't crush the other person's hand with the grip of death just to prove how strong you are. Women should shake hands confidently and assertively. Don't forget about eye contact: Looking down or off to the side gives the other party the impression you lack confidence or are shifty.

As you walk to the interview room, keep your head up, shoulders back, and maintain a stride that keeps pace with the interviewer. Allow him or her to lead the way, or, if space permits, walk next to the interviewer, turning your head to listen to what they're saying as you walk along. As you enter the interview room, allow your interviewer to motion to where you should sit and let that person take his or her seat.

You should have both feet flat on the floor at all times (no crossing your legs or hooking your foot around a chair leg), and sit a little bit forward in the chair with your back straight. Place your briefcase or any other materials you brought with you on the floor next to the chair, not on the desk or table. If you brought a notebook or legal pad (an absolute must!), it is acceptable to have that on your lap along with a copy of your resume.

During the interview, you should listen attentively to the interviewer, making eye contact but not boring a hole in his or her forehead with your stare. Nod when it seems appropriate to show interest and to demonstrate that you are paying attention. It's perfectly acceptable to look down to take notes on your legal pad and glance at other spots on the room from time to time—just be careful not to appear uninterested in what the interviewer is saying.

When it's your turn to speak, once again, eye contact is important. Be careful not to speak too quickly, which is easy to do when you're feeling nervous. It's okay to pause for a few seconds before answering a question. This demonstrates that you are thoughtful and gives you a chance to gather your thoughts. Use hand gestures sparingly so that they don't become a distraction.

If you brought a professional portfolio with you, place it on the desk or table in front of you when invited to do so. Turn it around so that the interviewer can read the pages and view any graphics while you talk about them. Again, take your time and don't speak too quickly. You want the interviewer to have a chance to soak in the information in front of him or her. Depending on the circumstances, you may offer to leave the portfolio with the interviewer at the end of your presentation.

When the interview is over, you should wait for the interviewer to stand up first. If your interviewer offers to walk you out, withhold the farewell handshake until you part in the lobby. If the interviewer chooses to remain in the office, be sure to shake hands before leaving. Demonstrate the same level of enthusiasm and energy you displayed during your initial greeting. If you have the opportunity to do so, it's always a nice touch to thank the receptionist and wish him or her a pleasant day as you're leaving. You never know what part he or she may play in the decision-making process. In fact, keep in mind when you arrive that this person is watching you and may report his or her observations to the interviewer after you leave.

Briskly walk to your car, get in, and drive away. Save that cell phone call to your sweetheart or that must-have cigarette until you're safely away from the parking lot, perhaps for when you stop at the shopping mall or convenience store just down the street. Someone may be watching out the window to see how you behave when you think you're not being observed. In the same vein, try to wash the car and clean out the back seat before going on your interview. Occasionally, an interviewer will walk you all the way to your car just to see what you drive and how well it is maintained.