WomenCo.

Very helpful. I would offer one point to the interviewer that really would be helpful to the applicant. If the applicant really tried, seemed interested, but wore inappropriate clothing (maybe they are unemployed and cannot afford to get that new suit right now!) or got too comfortable and talked too much, you can help without compromising your company, and I have done it. Say, "I enjoyed interviewing you today, but I'm considering three other applicants who are more qualified than you are. In future interviews, something that might help to get you the job would be maybe to tone down your outfit, wear something more (whatever), or talk less about your personal issues. Maybe when you have more experience at another company, and can add more to your resume to be more qualified for this position, you should reapply in a couple of years (whatever time frame). I would consider hiring you at that time." In the meantime, no one is offended, no one is going to be sued (you already said you have other more qualified applicants), and the person gets valuable information to help them land the next job so they CAN be more qualified in two years. And, who knows, will YOU be there to hire them in two years? Give them a chance at it.

I must say this is a WONDERFUL article, and I plan to use it to my advantage. Thanks!

Fantastic article! I am going through interviews now and these are great tips for anyone.

It's a rude awaking but anything done right by the applicant comes down to if it's an employer's market then there's the brick wall. I personally feel as an easterner I was at a disadvantage; it's the accent. If it is a low social position then I may be taken on. If I were not welcomed aboard then I became self-employed using low key skills in the interium that may show ambition or defeating independence on my resume. I at least avoided the need to answer "are there any questions?" I could never find the answer to that unless, "would I need to travel?" "Would I need to supervise?"

I am preparing myself for interviews and I don't have to wear a tie, but I won't make the mistake of wearing anything that would get the attention of the person interviewing me. I want them to pay attention to what I have to say. Not trying to figure out why I wore a certain piece of clothing.

This is a great article! Having just gone through an interview myself I'm glad I didn't hit any of the mistakes on here. One question I have is how does the situation change for a phone interview? Those always seem to be the most difficult for me because you can't read body language and you can't see how a person is dressed. I'm still waiting to hear back from that position, they haven't made a decision yet but I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

Those are all very valuable tips. What I don't get is why so many people at jobs use them as a soapbox for their and the personal affairs of others if HR is supposed to screen for this.