BY CHERALYN BARRINGTON
Lions’ Pride Staff Writer

Appropriate Business Attire for Women as shown by
Cheralyn Barrington. Taken by Matthew Barrington

Everyone has been affected in some way by these unfortunate financial times, and many have begun searching for jobs in an attempt to make their wallets a bit more full.

Job hunting can be tedious and stressful, especially since so many Saint Leo students have lost their Federal Work Study this year.

Carson Holton in Appropriate Business Attire for Men.
Taken by Cheralyn Barrington

Adam Westfall, a sophomore, said “I was upset and disappointed when I found out I didn’t have work study anymore, because I wanted to use my money to pay off a car and help my family with bills.”
Kimberly Bills, a sophomore, was also upset. “I was looking forward to getting a work-study job this year,” she said.

Many students feel similarly and have stressed over the job search. However, here is a list of interview tips which may be able to help students get the jobs they want.

• One of the first things to do when preparing for a job interview is to pick out professional clothing. Appearance is an important component in the hiring process. Women should wear a skirt or pant suit, and men should wear a business suit. The business attire should also be accompanied by clean nails, fresh-looking hair and tasteful make up and jewelry for women. It is also advisable not to wear perfume, cologne or heavy scented deodorant, because these cause some people headaches. Women should never bring a purse into the interview. Instead, bring a portfolio or briefcase equipped with a pen, paper, and crisp resume that is easily accessible. Regardless of whatever the job may be, the applicant can never appear too professional.

Carson Holton, a sophomore who just recently interviewed for a job offered some advice. “You need to make sure your clothing is not wrinkled, that your socks are black and not white, and wearing a coat and tie is always preferable for guys. It never hurts to wear a coat. Looking more professional is better.”

• The next important thing is to mentally prepare for the interview beforehand. Get a good night of sleep, and eat something so the body and mind will have the fuel it needs to properly operate. It is best to go into the interview with a positive mindset which will project confidence.
Sophomore David Mitchell said “When preparing for a job interview it is important to relax and be yourself.” He believes it is important to be comfortable and mentally at peace before an interview. “If I tell myself that, I’ll be more confident, or if I’m in a good mood I’ll feel confident,” Mitchell commented.

• It is pertinent to think about possible questions that an employer might ask and formulate answers. Some things that the applicant could think about are characteristics he or she has that might benefit the company or organization holding the interview. It is good to go to the interview with background knowledge about the company. Positive characteristics employers look for include: Hard-working, dedicated, teamwork skills, responsible, reliable, professional, personable, and good communication skills.

• Employers often ask the applicant how they cope with stress; it is important to have a good answer to this type of question. If the interviewee gives off the impression that they have a temper or cope with stress poorly, the interviewer is likely to be turned off and will possibly give the position to another applicant.

Sophomore Jo Anna Gremse applied at a theme park this past summer and said she was asked several questions before she was hired. “My employer asked me questions like, ‘what situations have you been in where you’ve had to show leadership, and what would you do if a problem arises at work?’” Gremse said.

• In addition to these types of questions, employers will usually ask the applicant if they have any questions about the position near the end of the interview. It looks good to have a question or two prepared, as long as it isn’t about salary. An acceptable thing to ask would be a specific question about what the job entails, as long as the answer wasn’t already mentioned in the job description. When going to the interview, getting there 10-15 minutes earlier than the appointment time shows that the applicant is able to be punctual. Upon meeting the interviewer, smile confidently and greet him or her with a firm handshake and an introduction. It is important to smile enough that it shows confidence, but not too much because that can show nervousness. During the interview, make eye contact and avoid slouching and fidgeting. Showcase energetic and enthusiastic behavior, but beware of looking aggressive or pushy. Listen carefully to what the interviewer is saying and pause slightly before answering questions. Taking 3-5 seconds to think before answering questions is perfectly acceptable, and shows the employer thoughtfulness. When the interview comes to an end, thank the employer for their time, and end the interview with another handshake, and eye contact.

Best of luck on the job hunt!