Interviewing in The Heat. Interviewing in the Cold.

By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter

Looking at the weather forecast for this week, I was reminded that I have not spoken with you in a long long time about how to cope with weather extremes.

You are kidding yourself if you do not acknowledge that you can be affected by the weather. After all, extremes of heat or cold are known to cause people to feel uncomfortable. Even if you are not affected, often the people you are interviewing with are.

How do you cope with the weather? How do you arrive at an interview ready to put on a good performance?

Both men and women have discomfort associated with their wardrobe during summer months Each is expected to dress appropriately for an interview with women in stockings and a medium heeled shoe that is in good copndition; for men and women both, a professional image is the key; for men interviewing for most positions, a conservative suit with a white or light collared shirt and a conservative tie with well shined shoes with laces is still appropriate.

If you are in a profession that lends itself to more casual tire, rarely are “extreme wardrobes appropriate for a first interview.

In winter, dress appropriately for the cold with your business attire beneath it. If your overcoat would allow you to audition for a polar expedition, remove the coat when you arrive for the interview while you are in the lobby so that it is not the first thing people see.

Arrive a few minutes early whether it is hot or cold and wait in the lobby so that you have a chance to cool down if it is hot or warm up if it is cold and regain your focus for the interview ahead.

No one wants to shake hands with someone who is perspiring profusely or discover that they are shaking hands with an icicle. It is a distraction that can cause you to lose an opportunity.

© 2010 All rights reserved Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter