Interview presentation
Australian Human Resources Institute fact sheet

Presentation is about marketing yourself to the interviewer and demonstrating
how you would perform as part of their team. Effective presentation means
looking the part, promoting a professional manner, dressing appropriately for
the industry and the position, and revealing your preparation for the interview.

Being interviewed can be a nerve-racking business that requires research and
preparation. This should include spending time on your grooming and developing
an awareness of your body language and general demeanour to make a good
impression. If you look the part and can demonstrate that your experience and
skills fit the role, you have done all you can to ensure you are selected for
the position.

Grooming
Grooming includes all aspects of your physical appearance, from clothes and
accessories to hairstyle and make-up.

Follow these general guidelines when deciding what to wear to an interview:

a.. Dress to impress - classic clothing is usually best for men and women.
This usually means a suit with shirt and tie for men, and a business suit in a
conservative style and colour for women;
b.. Tailor your choice to the industry and the position for which you are
applying. Find out what to wear as part of your pre-interview research about the
company;
c.. Be clean and neat - shirts and blouses should be pressed and shoes
polished;
d.. Fashion statements or quirky accessories are best avoided when attending
interviews - your interviewer will be expecting you to make an effort to
impress, and you cannot predict their interpretation of your unusual tie or
funky shoes.
For women, make-up is an important part of their image and grooming. As with
clothing, it is important to note that different people will interpret different
looks in different ways. For this reason, classic and understated day-time
make-up is most appropriate. Nails should be neat and clean and any nail varnish
should be unchipped and subtle in colour.

Hair should be clean and neat, and men should be clean-shaven or ensure that
beards are trimmed and neat.

Other grooming guidelines include:

a.. Perfume and cologne should not be too overpowering;
b.. Jewellery such as watches and earrings should be classic and understated.
Facial piercings such as nose studs or eyebrow rings should be removed for most
business interviews;
c.. Make sure you have a professional-looking bag, which will hold your resume
without having to fold it;
d.. Take a copy of your resume, any references and a copy of the job
description with you to the interview. File them neatly in a clear file or
folder, so they are protected and easily accessible.
Demeanour
Your interviewer will be considering you as a member of the organisational team,
as an employee, and as a representative of the company to the outside world. You
have to prove that you can perform well in a formal business setting, that you
are a good communicator, and that you will fit in with the office team. This can
be a challenge when nervous, but a good interviewer will ask a mix of personal
and work-related questions that should allow you to relax and be yourself, as
well as discuss your candidacy in a professional manner.

It is also important to remember that the interviewer(s) is not the only person
you need to impress. If you get the job you will become part of the team, so be
polite and professional with everyone you encounter before and after your
interview, whether it is the receptionist or the interviewer's assistant.

Be aware of your body language and what it communicates. Despite interview
nerves, try to refrain from fidgeting, sit up straight, and maintain eye contact
with the interviewer - this will express your interest. Take your time and
consider what you are going to say rather than rushing into unprepared and
possibly irrelevant speech. Try not to use slang phrases such as, 'you know' or
'sort of'. Finally, remember to smile and be yourself - it is important to you
that the job and organisation suit you, so there is no point acting like
somebody else in your interview.


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