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What should you wear? How do you discuss salary? This week’s Career Chat looks at how to ace the job interview—or at least not fall flat. Below is an abbreviated transcript of the conversation. Feel free to add your comments.

Each Tuesday at 12:00 pm CT, MyPath and bizMebizGal Amanda Gulralski, publisher and cofounder of bizMe.biz online magazine and Gen Y career expert and speaker, host an hour-long Career Chat on Twitter (#careerchat). You can learn about upcoming topics and submit your questions by following @MyPath_MP and @bizMebizgal.

Next week’s chat (Tuesday 7/20 at 12:00 CT) is all about navigating through a job search when you’re employed. How do you keep your boss from finding out? DO you tell your boss? How do you network when most of your colleagues are your connections online? Join us next week to get answers to these questions and more.

July 13th 2010: All about interviewing

Question 1: I’m interviewing w/a company that has a casual dress culture, do I need to still wear a suit or dress up?

MyPath_MP: If you’re working with a recruiter, ask them what the correct attire will be. Don’t be afraid to pump them for details!
bizMebizgal: If you aren’t using a recruiter, find someone at the company through LinkedIn & ask them what is appropriate for the interview.
Jelfster: Yes. Interviewing is a formal occasion. Companies with casual dress codes require more formal wear at times, and this is one of those times.
Sarahklein PHR: Depends! When I interviewed with a restaurant, they said to wear jeans for the interview. I was the only one who wore jeans and I got the job! Not that listening was the only part that got me the job, but I know it didn’t hurt!
bizMebizgal: I have college students interview for internships all the time in jeans and it drives me wild. If I am dressed up, you’d better be.
lauragainor: It is best to dress up. Make sure you are put together and have clean shoes. It’s better to impress.
Jill_Perlberg: Do the research and know who you are interviewing with. When in doubt, ask!
bizMebizgal: First impressions can really make or break you and fashion plays a huge role in that.
sarahklein_PHR: I dressed up for my unpaid internship at the interview and at work regularly.
Jelfster: Call me old-fashioned, but people just don’t seem to dress up any more. You see shorts, sandals at fancy restaurants too!
bizMebizgal: I am always looking for a good excuse to dress up! Sets the tone and makes people remember you by how you look.


Question 2: How do you properly close an interview?

Jill_Perlberg: Ask about next steps and what else you can provide to help them learn more about you.
Jill_Perlberg: Ask the interviewer if you fit the need they have. They’ll be honest and it may be your only chance to get honest feedback.
sarahklein_PHR: I always set up a proposition for future networking, so even if it doesn’t work out, I can stay connected with the organization.
bizMebizgal: Always have questions prepared for when they ask you “Do you have questions for me?” Never say “Nope, I’m good!”
Jelfster: Thank the interviewer and reiterate your enthusiasm for the job. A warm comment can also help, but choose carefully! Make it something that brings out your human side. Make the interviewer smile and leave them with a positive impression.
Jill_Perlberg: Don’t end with “Should I have my people call your people?”
Jill_Perlberg: Depending on the interview stage, ask for the job!
Jill_Perlberg: If on a phone interview, make sure you have all of the appropriate contact information to send a thank you note.
bizMebizgal: Make sure you always ask for a business card so you can follow up with a thank you afterwards, and be sure to leave yours!
sarahklein_PHR: I always ask about the org culture, even if I’ve researched it, because it’s good to hear HR’s perspective.
lauragainor: Be sure to mail a paper thank you card. It goes farther than just an email. Who gets regular mail these days??
Jill_Perlberg: Ask them about career advancement, average tenure of staff, you want to make sure it’s the right match too.
bizMebizgal: If relevant, ask about their competitors in market. This shows you are aware of their competition and what is happening in the industry.
Jill_Perlberg: If you’re on the phone, smile and show enthusiasm, it comes through loud and clear!
bizMebizgal: Interviewing is like dating: It has to be a good fit for both partners!
TECMidwest: Write down family and hobby information to talk about in your thank you note for that personal touch.
Jelfster: This might seem strange, but dress up for phone interview. It’ll feel as if you’re really there!


Question 3: How do you answer “What are your salary requirements?”

MyPath_MP: Give them the bare minimum of what you would actually leave your company for.
MyPath_MP: Don’t be afraid to ask what their range is, but you should do your salary-range research beforehand.
Jill_Perlberg: Rule of the road is to tell them at least 20% more than what you are making today.
bizMebizgal: You are not a bad person if u ask for more than what u make, just don’t get crazy. I currently make $40K but want $120K.
TECMidwest: First, ask yourself what you would pay you. Are you worth it? Take the time to think it through. Then act.
Jelfster: Research going rate for similar positions in your locale — plenty of online resources to help you do this.
Jill_Perlberg: Leaving a company that you know for something unknown has a price tag on it as well.
MyPath_MP: Recruiters may want you to give your range upfront so they know right away if their client will go for it.
Jill_Perlberg: Don’t forget to also include benefits that are important to you. You might take less $$ for an additional week of vacation.
MyPath_MP: Also you may get a signing bonus, and then the next year get a raise that brings you to the salary you want.
LesleyMWeiss: I usually say it’s dependent on the position and the entire compensation package including benefits.
Jelfster: Moving abroad further complicates matters! Do your homework. Be open to negotiation, but don’t be shy of negotiating up.
LesleyMWeiss: Research is key. Abroad or not it’s important to know differences in cost of living if you’re relocating anywhere!
Jelfster: Absolutely. What is a comfortable salary in, say, Mississippi would not be comparable in NYC.
Jill_Perlberg: Aim high, most women tend to under value their worth.
lauragainor: If you’re in one of these 10 careers you better be using Twitter http://ow.ly/25IOb
Jill_Perlberg: If you are lucky enough to know someone at the company that you can confide in, ask them what they think the range is.
MyPath_MP: Asking ex-employees for typical salary ranges can help too.

Open questions from the crowd:

CaSuPe15: How do you answer “What are your salary requirements” for entry level positions?

Jill_Perlberg: Do research on a site like salary.com to find a range. Entry level tends to be in the 25th percentile.
bizMebizgal: For most entry level positions expecting to make $50K is unrealistic. Probably shoot around $30K to $33K depending.
bizMebizgal: Entry level peeps, NEVER ask how much the company pays while interviewing. Wait for them to tell you when you’re further along.

Jelfster: How do you deal with more than one interviewer in terms of distributing eye contact appropriately?

Jill_Perlberg: Make sure you are pausing, taking in the room and watching body language.
MyPath_MP: Also make sure you get each person’s biz card & write a personal thank-you note.
bizMebizgal: Try to make as much eye contact as possible with each person — just don’t be a bobblehead!

bizMebizgal: Does anyone have horror outfits that they have seen on an interview?

bizMebizgal: I was asked once by a student about nose rings and interviewing. Always, always take that out!
sarahklein_PHR: Someone wore a tux…
LesleyMWeiss: I did once see stirrup pants, with a nice jacket. If you’d only seen her waist-up, she’d have looked fine (if a little dated).
Jelfster: I wear an earring in my left ear. I always took it out for job interviews…when I remembered!
Jill_Perlberg: I was interviewing someone for a position with Cirque du Soleil and they thought it would be good to come as a clown. Not good!
sarahklein_PHR: I have servers show up in beach clothes for interviews, not cool! I don’t expect a suit, but beach clothes?!
bizMebizgal: I think servers have a different perspective of what is appropriate to interview in. But it’s still a job you still need to impress!
bizMebizgal: I got asked if a student should get rid of his mohawk for interviewing. Um, yes!
Jill_Perlberg: Although: Totally depends on the job, industry, & company. Inteviewing with a Fortune 100? Might need to ditch it!

Jelfster: In the modern world of social media, is it appropriate to reach out to interviewers beforehand if you know their name?

Jill_Perlberg: I would personally be put off by it. Now you are basically putting them in an interview position.
LesleyMWeiss: Perhaps do a non-anonymous LinkedIn search, so they know you checked up on them. Then leave it up to them.
Jill_Perlberg: Even in a world of social media, you still need to use common sense and respect the process.
MyPath_MP: There’s a difference between asking a recruiter about a position and contacting someone you’re interviewing with.
Jill_Perlberg: We all know people stalk others on LinkedIn and other sites, but don’t show that YOU do.
MyPath_MP: Make sure your LinkedIn profile is in order when they check back on you!


CaSuPe15: Is it safe to assume your interviewers already following you?

MyPath_MP: It’s safe to assume they’ve checked up on you, yes!
Jill_Perlberg: They already checked on you before they contacted you. Don’t let Facebook, your blog and other sites scare them off.
bizMebizgal: Make Facebook/Twitter accounts reflect the personal brand you are comfortable showing. Remember: What happens in Vegas stays on Twitter!
MyPath_MP: If you don’t want your personal FB shown to the world (and employers), lock it down! Some tips how.


CaSuPe15: Are there any other sites aside from Twitter and LinkedIn that job seekers should be aware of and active on?

LesleyMWeiss: I’d do research and look in your industry. There are plenty of career-specific networking ops–those are most helpful.
MyPath_MP: bizme.biz and MyPath.com have tons of resources for job seekers about topics just like this.
MyPath_MP: lindseypollak.com and personalbrandingblog.com are also excellent resources.


Remember…
bizMebizgal: Interviewing is like networking: The more you do it, the easier it becomes.

What’s the biggest takeaway? We’ll let a crowd comment round it off:

Jelfster: Job interviews needn’t be torture. Just plan well and use common sense!


Missed this chat? No problem! Join us next time on Tuesday, July 20, 12 PM CT. Follow along with #careerchat! Watch @MyPath_MP and @bizMebizgal for upcoming topics.