Acing that interview starts from the moment you apply.

It is the end of May and as we quickly approach the summer months, students are beginning to think about summer employment, graduates are starting to think about career planning, and non student applicants are starting to worry about the increased competition due to the influx of recent grads. This means it’s time for me to reiterate the importance of making a great first impression.

Planning for an interview begins long before the actual interview takes place. It is during the application process that you should start planning for that perfect interview. Don’t go blasting out a bunch of resumes, all willy-nilly, if you will be unavailable to interview because of exams or summer vacation plans. Be available to interview and track where your resumes are going, so if you have to go to an interview on short notice, you seem prepared. Before applying, do some research on the company and on what direction they are looking to go, so you have some cool points to talk about. When you are booked for the interview, get proper directions to the location, get the name of the interviewer, and ask if you should bring anything with you.

My frontend team recently informed me that candidates clearly need a reminder about proper interview etiquette. When you walk into the interview location, be organized and on time. Arrive five to fifteen minutes prior to your scheduled interview time with at least one empty hand, so you can shake hands, open doors, and pull out a chair. Don’t bring anything with you that is considered casual or unprofessional, like a coffee, a bunch of shopping bags, or a mish mash of technology. Look polished and dress appropriately for the type of company you are applying with, not necessarily just the job you applied for.

Walk in with a smile and kindly let the receptionist know who you are there to meet. Remember that the receptionist is someone who already works where you want to work, they have some influence, and they will talk about you when you leave. Never complain about anything when you are waiting for the interviewer, except maybe the weather, everyone can relate to that. Just don’t complain about parking, the time of day, how far the location is from home, or anything along those lines. Your first impression should be a positive capture of who you are, clean, organized and upbeat. Making a great first impression will be passed along to the hiring authority, and may give you a leg up on the job seeker competition.

It is the small details that can make the big difference in getting you your dream job offer.