How to Interview with Grace

Does the thought of interviewing make you want to fly to Mars and dash underneath of a rock? Well, discard your thoughts of space travel and come back to earth. The reality is that at some point you will almost undoubtedly have to interview for something---college admissions, scholarship consideration, snagging an internship, or getting a job. Whatever the situation, the process is pretty similar: comb your hair, arrive on time, and force a smile. Actually, it's not quite THAT simple---there are a few intermediate steps and nit-picky specific details to keep in mind:

*Don't dress for disco: This may go without saying, but interviewing isn't a party, so leave your dancing shoes at home. Guys should wear dark suits, but not black ones. Some more conservative companies consider blacks suits strictly for funerals. So unless your dog just died, wear gray or navy. If you cannot afford a suit, opt for crisp khakis and a sharp blazer. Wearing a tie is a must---and make sure it's not a dorky one, either. Solid colors or clean stripes are your best bet. If you have body piercings, take the studs or rings out. Girls are lucky in that they have more choices, but that also gives them a greater opportunity to flub up. The easiest way to explain how the fairer sex should dress for an interview then is to explain what NOT to wear: sandals (no matter how hot it is outside), short skirts, low-cut tops, fishnets, jeans, too-tight anything, really flashy jewelry, too much make-up, anything with glitter, or multiple earrings. The point is that you want to look professional, so dress for church, not Saturday night outings. And be sure to plan your outfit at least a week in advance and have a back up just in case something happens to it.