Before the Interview…

You’ve been chosen for an interview. You’ve jumped through all the hoops. You’ve made it to the final step. But now what? With such an intense process ahead of you, this list is meant to provide you with some helpful tips to simplify the day of the interview. Following these suggestions should help put you at ease and make the day go as smoothly as possible.

Before the interview, you should…

• Get a good night’s sleep.

  This is easier said than done, as jitters the night before an interview are common. But a good night’s sleep will make you more relaxed and energized during the day. If you’re unable to sleep, lying in bed and relaxing can also do wonders for your daytime endurance.

• Eat breakfast.

  The day of the interview is not the day to skip breakfast or to eat lightly. A normal-sized breakfast will help your focus and prevent your stomach from awkwardly growling during the interview.

• Take it easy on the coffee.

  You’ll want to feel energized, but too much coffee will make you feel and look jittery. You don’t want too much caffeine clouding your judgment or giving you the shakes.

• Exercise.

  A moderate workout the morning of an interview has been proven to energize you and allow you to think more clearly. You don’t want to do something too intense, but a quick workout will do the trick.

• Iron your clothes.

  Don’t let your outfit be the story of the interview. Neither overdressing nor underdressing help your chances. The same can be said about wrinkled clothes. Ironing out the wrinkles will make you look pristine and professional.

• Go to the bathroom before leaving.

  This is self-explanatory, but you don’t want to feel uncomfortable before or during the interview.

• Review your notes in the car.

  You should leave your home with plenty of time to arrive at your interview on time. Sitting in the parking lot is a great time to do a last-minute cram session with your notes, reviewing your qualifications and questions you have for the interviewer.

• Arrive no more than 15 minutes early.

  Your interviewer’s time is valuable, and arriving a half hour early doesn’t help your cause. Your interviewer will likely be doing other work and preparing for your interview leading up to your planned time. Arriving too early most likely leaves you sitting in the lobby for an extended period of time. No one wants that.

• Respect the receptionist.

  Leaving a good impression with the receptionist will only help your chances. Often times, the hiring manager will ask the receptionist what he/she thought of you.

• Accept or decline coffee or water if it is offered.

  Often times, the receptionist or interviewer will ask if you’d like coffee or water. This isn’t a test or trick, and they don’t want to see your table manners. If you want coffee or water, then accept it. If not, don’t sweat it. This is just a polite gesture by your interviewer.