Are you looking for a job in this tight economy? If you are, you have plenty of company and lots of competition. Gone are the days when you could just show up and get hired, when you didn't have to worry about what you wore, when you got to the interview or what you said.

There was a time that we can all remember when employers were desperate to find bodies and they took any that walked in the door. It's a different world now, and you'd better pay attention to the details.

Being on time is critical. Showing up late for the interview puts you in the minus category from the start and gives the impression that you may be a tardy employee.

Allow ample time to get to the interview by giving yourself a cushion. Things that you haven't anticipated will occur.

If the unavoidable happens---an accident on the way to the interview or something else that is beyond your control---call as soon as possible to say what has happened and when you will arrive. The interviewer may want to reschedule.

Be straightforward about what has occurred. This is not the time to demonstrate your creativity with some dramatic tale to explain your tardiness.

Arrive no more than ten minutes ahead of time. There is such a thing as being too early. When you arrive too far ahead of schedule, you create an interruption. Someone then has to be concerned about making you comfortable while you wait.

If the interviewer is meeting with other candidates and doesn't allow enough time between appointments, you run the risk of encountering your competition and finding yourself in an awkward position. Get to the general location with time to spare, but don't go into the office until ten minutes before you are expected.

It is always a good idea to do a trial run so you know where you are going, how long it will take to get there, where you should park and even how much time you'll need to get into the building from the parking lot.

The less you leave to chance, the more comfortable and confident you will feel. You'll be able to concentrate on your appropriateness for the job rather than being distracted by all the things that went wrong on the way to the interview.

© Lydia Ramsey. All rights reserved.

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