River Cities Business Journal: Jobs

Today's News Herald

LAKE HAVASU CITY - Crystal Kirsch is filled with dread when she thinks about her last job interview.

Instead of it being one-on-one, she sat in the center of a semicircle as three interviewers peppered her with questions. She said it felt like a firing squad.

“I was sweating a lot, and I was real fidgety. I hate interviews,” said Kirsch, who ultimately got the job as program services evaluator at the Department of Economic Security.

Few things are more nerve-racking than a job interview, but there are things applicants can do to make the experience less stressful.

The biggest mistake potential employees make, according to several Lake Havasu City employers, is not dressing appropriately.

An applicant is not necessarily obligated to wear a tie or dress to an interview, especially in Lake Havasu City where business dress is more casual, said Lisa Krueger, Lake Havasu Area Chamber of Commerce executive director. But provocative clothing never is appropriate, she said.

“Anything you wear to a job interview should be fairly conservative because the job is not about what you look like, it's about the performance that you're going to give to that employer,” she said.

Don't wear too much jewelry or makeup because that's distracting, she said. The same goes for tattoos or piercings. Krueger said she respects people's individuality but doesn't think having those on display in an office setting is appropriate.

“There's a time and a place for everything, and I don't think a professional business setting is a place for those types of things,” she said.

Sunglasses, baggy pants and shorts also are off-limits, said Laurie Greenwell, office manager for A.T.I. Staffing, Lake Havasu City's largest temporary-worker service. Over the years, she has seen just about everything. One time, an applicant showed up wearing a dress shirt, dress pants and flip-flops.

Ultimately, the proper attire depends on where you are interviewing. But the general rule of thumb is to dress one step above the position you're applying for, said Sharon Diemer, Mohave Workforce Connection office supervisor.

“It's better to overdress than to underdress,” she said.

There's more to an interview than wearing the proper attire. An applicant should be prepared to answer questions not only about himself - such as personal goals or job skills - but also about the company where he wants to work.

Some employers ask applicants company-specific questions to gauge applicants' interest in the job. So do research beforehand, Diemer said.

Mock interviews also are a good idea. Too many applicants show up unprepared and give vague, one-word answers.

“They haven't thought about how they could be an asset to an employer,” Diemer said.

In an interview, be direct, look the person in the eye and don't talk too fast. Also, work on your handshake. These are things you can practice with a buddy in a mock interview.

“Interviewing is very stressful and it's very uncomfortable. We all know that. We've all been through it,” Diemer said.