gtw_101_02

10. DO have a great big smile on your face.

You're showing enthusiasm and friendliness, and your interviewer's initial reaction will be to smile right back. It also shows that you're not a threat. Rob Smith, on GET TO WORK: "Smile, I don't care if you have one tooth in there, shine it up and show it."

9. DON'T get too friendly

Don't address the interviewer by their first name. You may ask though their preference in how to be addressed.

8. DO -- Attire is a given.

You want to dress business-like. For men, a light shirt and a tie, polish on your shoes and no socks that are lighter than your pants. For women, light pumps with a very small heel, you don't want to dress like you're going to a party, and you want to have a nice conservative business suit, either pants or a skirt. With a skirt, make sure it hits your knees. Rob Smith, on GET TO WORK: "You think that was the best choice…to wear this today?"

7. DON'T wear excessive jewelry

Don't wear chains or excessive jewelry, have your tattoos showing, or walk into an interview chewing gum, sucking candies, etc. Chase Campbell, on GET TO WORK: "Your ten o’ clock is here... and I think it’s a gangster."

6. DO arrive early

Show up 20 minutes before your interview is set to start. When you show up early, you display your eagerness and your hunger to work for that outfit.

5.DON'T make excuses

DON'T make excuses if there are acts of God and you're late. Just apologize and take it on the chin. Alicia (Strive student), on GET TO WORK: "I’m just kind of tired still, so you’ve got to excuse me. I’m not a morning person."

4. Do your research

Before you go on the interview, look up the company online and find out as much about what they do and what kind of culture they have. You particularly want to identify things they do that are in your personal sweet spot, so that when you interview, you'll speak with confidence and interest.

3. DO tell the truth

DON'T say anything that is untrue about your skill sets and experiences. It's okay to articulate your resume in an enhanced manner, but if you lie, they'll find out. Either they'll do a background check and speak to your references, or they'll see as soon as you're on the job that you lied. Sophia (Job Developer), on GET TO WORK: "In the interview, you said you were forklift certified and then when I asked you if it was still active and you said ‘no’. So don’t say you’re certified if it’s not active. I kind of caught you in a lie, there."

2. DO be personable

Try to start the interview on something that's personal. For example, if you come in and you see a picture of two kids on that person's desk, you'll say something like, "How old are they? They're beautiful." Everybody likes to brag about their kids and you're creating an instant connection. Keep it brief, but start it off with something like that.

1. DON'T get too comfortable

Don't get too comfortable or too personal in your interview, as all human beings have a tendency to say things when they're at ease that they may regret.