Interviewing in Hot Weather

Hello again,

I don't know if any of you folks are or have interviewed for a job during the hot season, but I found this neat little article that has a few tips on keeping cool when you have to do it.

It is following the ad.

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The Barry Freeland Team

of Cottage & Castles Real Estate Inc.

"Your Short Sale and Traditional Sale Community Experts"
Office: (831) 449-4642 Mobile: (408) 602-1779
17551 Vierra Canyon Road
Salinas/Prunedale, CA. 93907
Next to Starbucks

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Summer Interviews - 5 Tips to Help Keep Your Cool
Posted but not written by John " Johnny" Fleet Interviews are stressful no matter what time of year it is, but in the dog days of summer, they can present an even bigger challenge. Just last week, I was in a hurry to get to a job interview and between the heat, the terrible humidity and my nerves, when I finally got there, I could feel the heat radiating off of my body. I was rumpled, tired and the sweat running down my face didn't give me the polished, professional look I was going for. It seems to be a common problem this time of year, but there are some things you can do to keep your cool during summer interviews. Here are some tips: Wear one less item in transit - On the way to the interview, wear one less item than you plan to wear at the actual interview. For example, carry your jacket or blazer. This way, you'll be cooler in transit and your jacket will be crisp. Once you put it one, you don't have to worry as much about the dampness of your shirt becoming too visible. Wear comfortable shoes - It's tempting to wear a pair of heels, but during the summer, it's better to opt for comfortable flats or dress shoes. Dressy sandals can also work well, depending on the dress code of the business. Whatever you do, don't show up wearing flip-flops. Give yourself 15 minutes to cool down - Allow yourself extra time to cool off before your interview time. Depending on where you are going, spend a few minutes in the bathroom or at a nearby business to get refreshed and gather your thoughts. This is the perfect time to put some cold water on your face or neck. It's also a good idea to always carry a nice handkerchief for just this situation. Once you're cooled off, you'll feel more confident about the interview. Select garments that don't show sweat - It's best to wear fabrics that have a little bit of Lycra, to prevent wrinkles and stay away from linens and other fabrics that tend to show sweat or that look rumpled easily. Plan for the hottest day, and anything less will be a pleasant surprise. Bring along some breath strips - To feel fresh, it's a bad idea to put on more cologne or perfume. On hot days, the overwhelming perfume smell can trigger allergies even in those who aren't as sensitive to it. Instead, get a pack of breath strips that dissolve quickly in your mouth. It will give you fresher breath and can even make you smell better overall. By the way, these articles come from www.sanjosegigs.com, these guys are great? http://www.sanjosegigs.com/articles/article.asp?id=11396 I hope you found that article informative. I also am including another article that gives a little heads up on what the writer believes are the things not to say during an interview. I know they could have certainly helped me in the past.-John Fleet   The 5 Worst Things You Can Say During an Interview Going to an interview is a really stressful experience. If you aren't careful, you can drive yourself crazy before you even arrive. Between preparing for commonly asked question to selecting the perfect interview outfit, it's enough to push you over the edge. The key is to take a deep breath and remind yourself over and over that this is just a chance to find out more about the job opening and show the hiring manager what you have to offer. Sure, it's a high stakes game, but nothing worth having comes easily. The most important thing you can do to keep your nerves at bay is to be prepared for the interview. First, you should have an idea of how you will answer some of the most common interview questions. Knowing what to say is important. Also, it's important to know what not to say. Here are 5 things you shouldn't say during an interview: "My last boss was a jerk" - While it's important to be honest about why you left your last job, honesty doesn't equal trash-talking. Even if the reason you left your last job was because you hated your boss, don't say that during an interview. Instead, mention how the job wasn't a good fit for you and what type of job you think would work better. "What does your company do exactly?" - Before your interview, you should research the company and have a general idea of what they do. The only time it's allowable for you to not know very much about a company is if you are going to an interview where the name of the company hasn't been disclosed. However, this is rare and when it happens, it should be a red flag that the job opening may not be a legitimate one. "I'm going to need to take these days off" - We all have lives and obligations and a new employer will understand that. Perhaps you have a family vacation planned or a sister's wedding. It's happened to me that I have been out of work, made plans far in advance and then ended up getting a new job just a couple of weeks before the date. I've had to explain my situation and work out the time off. However, the time to bring this up isn't during the interview. It will only come off as presumptuous. Instead, wait until you are offered the job and are discussing start dates and so on. "Do you attend church regularly?" - Or, do you support Little League or whatever. While it's important to try to establish rapport with an interviewer, it's equally important to not pry into their personal lives. You might think that you are just showing an interest, it can come off as just plain creepy. Avoid asking personal questions about family obligations, religious affiliations or anything that strays too far from the professional realm. "You know what I really hate..." - When answering questions, be careful not to go on a rant, especially a negative one. Even if the interviewer smiles and nods, as if they agree with you, don't take it as a sign of encouragement. It's more likely to be the case that they are just nodding to see how far you will go. When you complain or rant, even if it's justified, you just come off as someone who is negative or bitter. Hopefully, these tips will help you when you go to your next interview. If nothing else, maybe they can make you smile while you're waiting for the interviewer. By the way, these articles come from www.sanjosegigs.com , these guys are great? http://www.sanjosegigs.com/articles/article.asp?id=11322 Have a great day:)