The Pre-Interview Ritual

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Every sports movie has it -- the montage before the big game. With preparations finished, the athlete follows a set of steps -- some practical, some superstitious -- to prepare himself to step onto the field. This isn't just the case for athletes: Most performers, from musicians to public speakers, have a routine they follow before they take the stage. There's intense value in following these routines physically and psychologically, and you can reap those benefits in your own career. Rituals can make a difference in many parts of your work, but of all the situations in which you need to be at your best, they are never as crucial as before the job interview.

Developing a pre-interview ritual can put some of your worries on autopilot and ensure you arrive at the interview loose and ready. We’re assuming here you’ve already done the routine preparation, such as rehearsing your answers to questions you expect to be asked and learning about the company you’re to which you're applying. With that out of the way, the pre-interview ritual is designed to leave you looking good and feeling confident. Read on for the time line to pre-interview excellence.

The week before: Get your hair cut

Good grooming is a key part of the impression you make in an interview, and it starts with your hair. Getting a cut the week before guarantees you’re not racing to fit in a trim at the last minute. On top of reducing stress about your appearance, the week’s cushion ensures your hair has time to grow out a bit -- looking natural, but still sharp.

The day before: Transportation dry run

The day before your interview, you should do a dry run of your trip to the interview site. Take the same transportation you’ll be using on the day of and track how long the trip takes. If possible, try to travel at the same time of day, so you can assess the traffic situation. Take your total time, add a small buffer so you’re covered in case of unforeseen traffic delay, and work backward to determine when you need to leave. That way, you’ll arrive on time and unhurried for the big event. If you’re driving, gas up on the way home so you have a full tank in the morning.

The night before: Final rehearsal

Take time the evening before your interview to practice in front of a mirror. Go over your talking points, and practice answers to questions you think you’ll be asked. Pay attention to your voice and body language, and make sure you’re using eye contact. Make this your last rehearsal -- cramming the morning of isn’t recommended, so take this time to iron out any wrinkles in your “presentation.”

The night before: Lay out your clothes

Decide what to wear before the day of the interview. The night before, think about the company you are applying to, and what their dress code is. If you have been to their office before, think of what others were wearing. You'll dress very differently if you're applying to work on a charter fishing boat than you will if you're applying for an IT firm, so think it through and dress to show you will fit into the company's culture. After deciding, check your outfit for stains, wrinkles and missing buttons, then set it out. One less thing to worry about the on game day.

What do you do the day of? That's next...