Hot Tips for Getting Interview Ready for Cheap or Free

How you present yourself during a job interview – the firmness of your handshake, the way you speak, and how you dress – can make or break your chances of getting the job, even if you have the perfect credentials.

With today’s economy still slumping and with the average unemployment lasting 37 weeks, many people are on a tight budget, which means either making do with what you have or spending as little as possible to prepare for your interview. Fortunately, you can look like a million bucks without spending any, or very little, money.

Look in your closet.

You probably already have the perfect outfit for your job interview right in your closet. Men should generally wear a suit with a pressed shirt and a tie while women want to opt for a pants suit, a professional dress, or a skirt with a dress shirt. Experts recommend that dresses and skirts be at least knee-length.

Keep it simple.

Have you ever stood in an elevator with someone who apparently took a bath in perfume or cologne, and the smell just overtook that small space? Avoid perfumes and colognes for job interviews for that very reason. A light spray to you might be too much for the person interviewing you. The last thing you want is for your potential employer to be so distracted by your perfume or cologne that he can’t focus on what you’re saying.

Grooming counts.

Men should ensure their hair is trimmed and neat and either shave or trim their beards before an interview. Aftershave, if necessary, should be used sparingly. Women should ensure their hair is neat and clean.

To wear jewelry or not to wear jewelry?

Avoid jewelry that stands out too much – big hoops or dangling earrings, for example, and cheap jewelry because it can be distracting. Jewelry can complement your attire if you don’t wear too much and pick smaller, tasteful pieces.

Pay attention to your nails.

Clean, neat nails are the way to go whether you’re male or female. You don’t have to get a professional manicure before a job interview, but filing your nails so they are neatly shaped, without jagged edges, and are clean will help you present a polished, professional appearance.

Quick Tips for Looking Good at Your Interview

• Iron your clothes the night before your interview.
• Look over your clothes: Are you missing any buttons? Are there any tears that need sewed? Have you removed all of the outer tags?
• Polish your shoes. Even older shoes can take on a new life with a good polish.
• Avoid wearing high heels and open-toed shoes.
• Women should avoid excessive makeup.
• Make sure your clothes fit. You risk appearing unprofessional if your shoes are too tight or too baggy.
• Run a lint brush over your clothes to ensure they are lint-free.
• Do a quick onceover in the mirror before your interview: No broccoli in your teeth? Hair and nails are neat? No tags sticking out?

Give yourself plenty of time to prepare for your job interview. Don’t leave it to the last minute, or you risk not presenting yourself as professionally as possible.

Frankie Eybsen is a career blogger and marketing manager for ResumeBucket. His latest project helps employers find free job postings on the internet.