By Kathryn Romeyn
Northeastern’s co-op program ranks number one in the country, according to U.S. News and World Report, and the program attracts thousands of students to NU. For a successful co-op, students must rely partly on interviews to secure the perfect job.
Interviews are the first step to a good co-op experience. It is generally accepted that a person has 30 seconds to make an impression, said Diane Ciarletta, a counselor for Career Services.
During the interview, a student is usually judged on personality, appearance and intelligence, along with other factors.
“You have a chance to make a good impression with enthusiasm, a firm handshake, eye contact, a smile and the way you’re dressed,” Ciarletta said.
Dressing appropriately can be the determining factor in landing a job.
“If a guy shows up in jeans and a T-shirt, I’m not going to have a very good impression of him,” said Craig Goodell, a senior resident engineer from the Department of Veterans Affairs, and one of the representatives at the Career Fair last week. “I’ll get the impression that he doesn’t think much of me or even himself because he’s not putting his best foot forward.”
Goodell also said the type of job is not important. His company is construction, but work boots and jeans would not be appropriate interview attire.
“I once had a girl come in wearing a tank top, a short skirt and platform shoes,” said Vicky Rogaris, an employee and recruiter from Forest Properties Management. “She didn’t get the job.”
Employers welcome basic and classic interview attire.
“The days of no tie or jacket are past us, and everyone’s going back to a more professional look,” said Bill Nazzaro, a human resources partner at CVS.
For men, a suit in conservative colors like black, gray or blue is acceptable, paired with a white or blue button shirt, a simple tie, a black belt and loafers, Ciarletta said.
Women should wear a pants or skirt suit, making sure the skirt is not too short, with a button down shirt, hose and closed toe, mid-heel shoes, Ciarletta said.
“You need to be comfortable in the clothes,” said Cath Amory, a career counselor at Career Services. “Always go conservative, and you can dress down later on in the job. Look like you made an effort.”
Some students already recognize the need for formality in an interview.
“Even if a job is informal you should still dress up for the interview; later in the job you can dress more casually,” said Tida Infahsaeng, a sophomore communications major.
Other logical guidelines help create a simple, sensible interview look.
“Make sure things fit appropriately and are clean,” Ciarletta said. “Never wear anything tight or that screams sexy. No cleavage or midriff showing for women.”
Others also cited the importance of neat, pulled back hair for women, and basic grooming. Women should not wear lots of makeup, and no one should wear lots of cologne or perfume.
For a conservative company, Ciarletta said students should take out obvious body piercings for the interview, and try to cover tattoos. For people with “wild and crazy hair – just leave it,” Amory said.
She said potential employees should also think about the match of their personality to the company. Someone with ex-treme body decorations, she said, may have trouble fitting into a conservative work environment.
