STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

thought this was worth sharing - however it looks like the dress code is messed up (men's blouses?) and we know how most of you feel about hose...  regardless, the rest of it is good info:

Top Ten Ways To Blow An Interview

By BankingorBust, LLC

In today's job market, competition is fierce. If you are lucky enough to get the interview, you want to make sure that you're putting your best foot forward. Avoiding these common mistakes candidates make can prevent you from ruining your chances.

10. Make negative remarks regarding a previous employer

This is never a good idea. There's the fable of a city gatekeeper who encounters two people looking to gain entrance. As the first person approaches, the gatekeeper asks him: "Tell me about the city you came from." Out of the man's mouth spews negative comments about the city, including how awful the people were. When the man asks the gatekeeper how this city is, the gatekeeper replies that unfortunately this city is no different. In other words, the man will have the same issues here as well. The man walks off.

When another man approaches the gatekeeper with the same request, the gatekeeper asks him the same question about the city he came from. The man has nothing but good things to say. The gatekeeper then opens the door and lets him in, saying that this place is no different and that the people here are just as kind.

The moral of the story is, complaining about a former boss, only serves to 1) make you look bad and 2) bring your attitude into question in the eyes of your interviewer. The assumption is, true or not, that a complainer will complain wherever they are, whether the environment is good or bad. So don't do it!

9. Don't send a thank you note/email

Sending a thank you email after an interview has always been good practice but not doing so hasn't always precluded applicants from ay Program for Landing the Job You Want (Paperback)">being hired. In today's market, the ommission of such a gesture can help you stand out - in a negative way. Not sending a thank-you note shows a lack of professionalism and establishes that you don't know how to "play the game" (at least in their mind).

For help on how to write thank you notes, check out one of the books below:

8. Be boring and unanimated

Companies are obsessed with finding passionate candidates - now more than ever. Why? Because, with the surge in job applicants, they can. They also want to make sure that you're not just applying with the intention of leaving in a year when your industry rebounds. Coming across as too laid-back or with a lack of enthusiasm for the position and the company can keep you from receiving an offer.

7. Rely solely on your resume or ability without contacts in the firm

Having an "in" at the firm significantly increases your chances of getting the interview. However, it can help you receive the offer as well. An endorsement from a current employee to a hiring manager will significantly increase your odds of receiving the offer. If you land an interview, search through your contacts and try to find someone that you know at the firm. If that fails, try using a social networking site like Linkedin to find a friend-of-a-friend who works there. Work to get an "in".

6. Dress inappropriately

Being overdressed is usually better than being underdressed. And sometimes the little details can set you apart. For men, it means getting your shoes shines. For women, it can mean wearing stockings (okay, maybe that's not so little).

Appropriate attire:
Women:
Solid color, conservative suit (usually blue or gray)
Coordinated blouse
Moderate shoes
Limited jewelry (Use coupon "LSAJ100" for 10% off all fine jewelry)
Neat, professional hairstyle
Tan or light hosiery
Sparse make-up & perfume (many people recommend no perfume at all, as your interviewer may be allergic to it)
Manicured nails
Portfolio or briefcase

Men:
Solid color, conservative suit (usually blue or gray)
Coordinated blouse
Moderate shoes
Little to no jewelry (a watch, no earrings)
Neat, professional hairstyle
Tan or light hosiery
Sparse make-up & cologne (many recommend no cologne at all, as your interviewer may be allergic to it)
Trimmed nails
Portfolio or briefcase

ETA a comment from another reader:

"It looks like the list for women was simply copied to the men's list and incompletely edited, and perhaps from somewhere else - what's that coupon reference?? For example, the part where it says men should wear a "coordinated blouse." Or that men should wear "tan or light hosiery." A man should wear dark socks, not light ones, with a suit, and make sure his bare skin does not show when he sits cross-legged.

This article also does not mention that a man should err on the side of conservative and always wear a tie -- if it's bright in color, it should be very conservative in pattern, and if it's conservative in color, it can be a little less so in pattern.

Finally, the statement that a woman should wear "tan or light hosiery" betrays an assumption by the author that the candidate is fair-skinned, which is inappropriate. A woman should wear hosiery that matches her skin tone -- a dark-skinned woman would not wear "tan or light hosiery." "

5. Use profanity

Nothing like a good F-bomb to spice up an interview. Don't do it. It makes you look unprofessional (you are, in fact, unprofessional if you do this, by the way). When candidates I interviewed did this, all I could envision was them in front of a client. Disastrous.

4. Be late

Hmm. You can't even be on time when you're trying to impress them the most. What makes them think that you'll be on time once you have the job? Be there 15 minutes early.

3. Be weak on technicals

In the past, I have interviewed investment banking summer candidates that were unable to walk through even the most fundamental concepts. Not good. There's just no room for it now, in this economy. If you're interviewing for finance positions, please visit recommended reading to aid you in preparation for interviews.

2. Don't emphasize what YOU specifically bring to the table

Many companies are afraid to take the risk to bring on another employee in this economy. As such, it is not enough to simply come across as a qualified candidate, but as a candidate that this company simply cannot live without. Before the interview, become familiar with the company's needs and initiatives and write out how you can fill them. Also be prepared to speak about how your specific background is valuable to this company TODAY.

1. Don't research the company

It seems so obvious, doesn't it? Yet, candidates continue to do it. The company website is a good start, but it should only be a start. Do everything you can - conduct news runs, read industry reports, talk to people - and find out as much as you possibly can about the firm. Don't stop at learning what they do, but also know the firm's current events, their position in the industry, their flagship products, etc. I could go on and on. Do your homework!

This list is not exhaustive by any means. When I helped recruit candidates, I've probably encountered fifty or more cardinal sins. One candidate did not even recall dropping his resume for this firm. Another had the name of another firm in his cover letter. Needless to say, these two did not receive subsequent calls. Lieing on your resume is usually a bad idea as well. Also, please turn cell phone (enter code FREESHIPLS25 at checkout for free shipping) ringers off.

Bankingorbust, LLC is here to help you through this tough period. Out team has compiled valuable resources to help you find and succeed at a job in finance. Take advantage of them!

-- Edited by D on Wednesday 18th of March 2009 01:44:07 PM