Be Prepared for Interview Emergencies
Just like in the military, having a plan and backup contingencies are critical to job interview success during seasons of inclement weather.
by Rita Gworek

In many parts of the country we are entering the winter season which means rain and snow. This calls for a little extra strategy for the interview. Check the weather report the night before your interview. First of all you need to plan on spending extra time getting to the interview. You will not make a good impression by arriving late. There are absolutely no excuses for being late. You would be infringing on the interviewer’s time. This would set up a negative situation even before you start the interview.

You should set out your clothing the night before the interview. This will save you time in the morning if by chance you discovered that your shirt or blouse needed some pressing. Your shoes need to be polished and edge-dressed. Everything about your clothing must be neat and clean. Look for your umbrella, top coat or rain coat, gloves, scarf, hat, and waterproof shoes or boots if needed. You will need these things to protect your clothing.

Prepare an Interview Emergency Kit
It’s also a good idea to set up an emergency kit for inclement weather. You do not want to arrive at the interview looking like a drowned rat. You may have to pack your good shoes and hair grooming products in a travel bag to take with you. This means arriving extra early to have some time to put yourself back together again.

It’s also a good idea to set up an emergency kit for inclement weather. You do not want to arrive at the interview looking like a drowned rat.Even if the weather is not a factor in your appearance, you should still have an emergency kit ready. This should include a small shoe shine and repair kit. Who knows what could happen. It is so easy to scuff your shoes walking up or down stairs. A sewing kit is also a good idea. A button could pop off at any time. Add a few safety pins to that kit too and some mending tape. If you are not sure what mending tape is, it is like two-sided tape. It works great in holding up hems that have come down or sleeves that are too long. The sleeve can be folded under and mending tape or two-sided tape used as a temporary fix.

A toothbrush and toothpaste along with breath mints and deodorant can help freshen you up. If you are nervous you just might spill your coffee on yourself. Put in a cleaning packet like Shout wipes. These really do the trick in getting stains out fast. Add an extra tie just in case the stain doesn’t come out because ties are made out of silk and the dye in the tie comes out when you try to clean it. So the tie is useless now, it is best to just throw it away. Shoe laces have a tendency to break when you least expect it, so add a black pair to cover yourself.

Plan Ahead for Inclement Weather
If snow is predicted, it would be a good idea to find out in advance what the company’s policy is for inclement weather. Some companies may close and others offer liberal leave. It may be more difficult to find parking after and during a snow storm. If it snows and the interview is still going to take place you will need that extra time to clean off your car if you park outdoors. Your car’s battery can sometimes go dead in very cold conditions. Have a contingency plan if this should happen. If you need to call a cab, it will take you longer to get to the interview. Always call the interviewer to let them know your status. It may be that most of the employees will be late including the interviewer. Having been prepared will show that you planned ahead and take the interview seriously.

Add an extra tie just in case the stain doesn’t come out because ties are made out of silk and the dye in the tie comes out when you try to clean it. So the tie is useless now, it is best to just throw it away.After you arrive your top coat or rain coat and umbrella and anything else you wore to protect yourself should be left out in the lobby area. Do not bring them into the interviewing room. That might give the impression that you are in a hurry to leave. And you wouldn’t want to bring those things into someone’s office dripping wet anyway.

If you live in an area that has four seasons, your wardrobe needs to be appropriate for each of those seasons. In the summer or warmer climates your suits will be lighter in weight, but not necessarily lighter in color. This allows your body to feel cooler. This would include linen, cotton, rayon and tropical weight wool. When the weather gets colder your fabrics should be heavier in weight. This means wool, cashmere and flannel. The fabrics should fit the season.

The boy scout motto of “Always be Prepared” applies to the interview, too.