Question:

I have been working at the same company for more than 20 years in the management and safety field and feel its time for me to move on. There's only one problem. I have not interviewed (outside of the company I work for) during these 20+ years and am scared silly to go out there and give it a try. Not quite sure what to wear, what to say, etc. I'm very confident about myself and my abilities where I am right now, but the thought of going out into the unknown is definitely freaking me out!

Desperately need your advice!

Answer:

Dear D.N.My.A:

While there are a lot of issues to cover here, that cannot be answered quickly; I hope the following will help you out in the immediate future. First, you've made an important decision to move on after two decades of working for the same employer. Be proud that you have been such a valued employee during this time. And likely the most important thing to remember, is to never, ever, talk negatively about your employer -- no matter what.

The fact that you haven't interviewed outside this organization so far, I see as a challenge, not a problem, and you should be excited about the next steps you will be making in your career. You mentioned that you've been in management. Start your job searching efforts by recalling the times you've had to interview others and make hiring decisions. Think about the people those that stood out to you, for good reasons and not so good reasons. Think about the steps you went through to meet with candidates, and now imagine yourself on the other side of the desk.

The fact that you are confident about your abilities and your experiences is a great start. This is not unknown territory, and it may help to keep in mind that anyone you will interview with has also been interviewed at some point for that same employer, or they wouldn't be sitting across from you. True confidence will shine through. Approach the interview, and the job in question, with a solution, and how your experiences can help them in both the short term and the long term. You can be the value added benefit they need to hire!

What to wear can be more important than some give it credit for. Of course, you want to be comfortable. For women, I see even the executive level in pantsuits, which is quite acceptable, in my opinion. If you prefer to wear a suited skirt or dress, then just be sure you are comfortable - so that you are not preoccupied with your attire, how it fits, runs in stockings, discomfort in high heels, etc. For men, a suit is the safest bet. It will also depend on the level of employment one is seeking. For example, dress according to either the job you will perform, or better. If that happens to be a uniform, or something quite casual, then of course, that won't work. A shirt and tie is likely the most appropriate.

On the other hand, don't make the mistake of being too casual. You've heard the term, "dress for success?" Well, I say dress for the job you want, not the one you already have! A casual day at the prospective employer does not mean you can be casual at the interview; after all, you're not yet an employee.

What to say? That is a can of worms that can explode if you're not careful. Beware of any interviewer simply asks: tell me about yourself. This means one of a few things: they're not prepared, they have no idea how to interview, they simply don't care and are just filling space and time, or, they want to set you up. This way-too-open-ended question can ruin one's chances of getting hired if you unknowingly play into it . If asked that question, respond with "what specifically would you like to know." Never just start telling a story. Employers don't want to be too chatty during the interview process, and one should be cautious about that. They get bored easily, or they just don't have the time. Even when excited about the opportunity, be aware of your behavior so that you do not appear over-eager, or worse yet - "gotta get a new job no matter what."

Among the many, many things I can share, I will close with the following. Besides being prepared with your own history, knowledge of the hiring company, etc., be prepared to ask some very pertinent questions. You should be given the opportunity to ask them. Asking about salary, vacation, etc. sometimes reflects an immaturity in one's ability to interview, or inability to prepare. Ask questions about the job, who you might be replacing and why, their timeline for reviews, what you might be able to study in advance of getting hired to prepare you, etc. One question I've heard which was a great one: "what do you see will be the most significant changes that the person you hire may have to make in the department, and in what time frame?" Make sure your questions are intuitive, and thoughtful. Don't ask what could be answered with a yes or no response. And hopefully, the interviewer will be as prepared as you to do the same.

I hope this advice is helpful as you enter the next stage of your career! Best of luck to you.