In the past I’ve blogged about what not to do in an interview. I’ve discussed what to avoid and what not to do when walking into an interview room. But what should you place a strong focus on? What strategies should be put in place when preparing to sit down across from the person who holds the power to say ‘yes’ or ‘no’?

1. Dress the part. I love when candidates arrive for their interviews wearing neat, clean scrubs. Giving that sort of a first impression provides an example of how they will appear the first time that they walk in to the facilities that we are contracted with. But I also love seeing candidates arrive in business casual clothing. To be sure that you are complying with what the interviewers expect, I always recommend asking about their dress code. By asking, you are showing them that you are taking the opportunity very seriously, before they’ve even had the chance to meet you! As I’ve mentioned in previous blog posts, a first impression starts at the first point of contact. Asking about the dress code will give a great first impression!

2. Don’t arrive too early. There are few things worse than someone showing up half an hour early for an interview. Sure it’s better than being late, but recruiters have tight schedules and they don’t always have time to accommodate early arrivers. In order to save yourself from arriving too early, take a drive to the location a day or two prior to your interview so you know exactly where it is and how long it will take you to get there. Interviews are usually scheduled at least one week in advance, so it gives you plenty of time to prepare.

3. Bring everything that’s required. If there is any documentation required by the organization, bring it with you if you have it. If you don’t have it on hand, do your best to get it before the interview. This will show that you are truly interested in the position, and it also shows that you are organized and come prepared. If it takes some time for documentation to be prepared (i.e., Criminal Record Check, CPR certification etc.), bring receipts with you to show that they are in the process of being completed.

4. Prepare. As I mentioned in my blog a couple of weeks ago, all candidates should consider interviews to be a ‘test’. They should be thought about, prepared for and rehearsed. Although exact questionnaires will never be provided to assist with the preparation, there are loads of resources available on the web. If you still feel unprepared after conducting some research, make an appointment to visit an Employment Centre. They have assistants available to you, usually free of charge, that will assist you to prepare for your interview!