It's A Job Interview - Not A Doctor's Appointment: What Not To Do In An Interview

I was working with a recruiting client once, trying to schedule a job interview with a potential candidate. I reached out and scheduled a time for us to meet for an interview. It works for them, it works for me - great! We're on our way.

A little while later, I got a message from this same candidate: "Can't make it, can we reschedule?"

"Sure thing," I say.

Stuff happens, completely understandable to want to reschedule. We schedule another appointment and move on. But again, I hear from the same candidate, asking to reschedule.

This was starting to get frustrating. We had now gone through three potential meeting times. This candidate was going about scheduling a job interview all wrong - she was treating it like a doctor's appointment.

It's not a Doctor's Appointment

When you have a doctor's appointment, you can push back appointments how ever many times you want. After all, its your health we're supposed to be looking after. There's rarely an expectation to follow-through on that appointment.

With job interviews, it's different. You have to prove to your potential employer that you are willing and able to confidently make plans and stick to them. Showing up is the number one job skill all employers want. It's not something you should list on your resume, but you should be actively trying to show off that skill in your application process.

Here are a few other tips to help you as you schedule your next job interview:

1. Research, Research, Research

While you can show up to the doctor's office not knowing about common symptoms of respiratory illness, showing up to an interview without knowing your facts could lose you the position.

Solid pre-interview research will:

1. Increase your confidence

2. Help you come up with impressive questions

3. Show that you can go the extra mile

2. Dress for the Job You Want

You may have heard this saying before, but that's because it's true! You should be dressing for the job you want, not the job you have. You should show up to an interview in appropriate and impressive attire.

To learn the appropriate attire for YOUR job interview:

1. Research the company dress code

2. Check to see if a dress expectation was communicated

3. Look up attire typical of the profession

3. PLan Ahead

The best thing you can do to prepare for your interview is to plan and practice. Knowing as much as you can about your approach to the interview before you get there will help you feel and act confidently.

Here are some things to consider before you sit down for the interview:

1. Do you know the route to get there?

2. Have you practiced answering common interview questions?

3. Can you think of three interesting questions to ask when you get there?

Remember - job interviews are meant to show the best of you! Go confidently - you can do this!

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