4 Tips on Handling Impromptu Job Interviews

4 Tips on Handling Impromptu Job Interviews You always hear about how important it is to be prepared for a job interview. So, what are you supposed to do when an interview gets sprung on you out of nowhere? Don’t worry. There’s no need to panic. Don’t let your anxiety get the best of you. Here are some tips that can help when confronted with an impromptu job interview.1. SmileGetting nervous isn’t going to help. Now is not the time to be shy. Poke your head out of your shell. Shake your interviewer's hand and speak with confidence. You got this. Take control the moment you realize you are being interviewed, check your posture, make sure you are making eye contact and smiling. Starting off with a smile on your face is a great way to make a good first impression.2. Dress to ImpressLooks go a long way. If you are going to a business event or conference, you want to make sure you don’t go in your formal wear. One way to do this is by dressing business casual. Be conservative and wear a nice pair of matching shoes.There i s such a thing as “too much jewelry”! You don’t need to avoid it completely either. A nice pair of earrings and a necklace will do the trick. Nothing too big and flashy. You want to show that you are taking the event seriously. What you wear is an important part of the impression you make on others.3. Stay ProfessionalIf you met your interviewer at an event or conference, you might not leave as soon as your interview is over. Be professional even after your interview is over. You don’t want to make a mistake just in case they are still watching you. You may even want to consider leaving the event a bit earlier than planned, if you have nothing else to do, to avoid any mistakes or mishaps that could happen.Let’s say you are a guest at a corporate party and someone you meet ends up interviewing you. At the end of the interview, you walk away and continue to enjoy the party. Maybe you meet up with a group of close friends and co-workers and start joking around. The interviewe r could still be watching so don’t let your guard down. Act professionally for the remainder of your time at the party.4. Ask About a Follow-UpSince an impromptu interview isn’t planned, you may not have the time to talk for very long. You may not have your resume on hand. In any case, you always want to ask about following up. Ask if it is okay to schedule another meeting or interview. Maybe exchange business cards and schedule a time to call.If the person says that they are not in charge of interviews, get contact information from the person to find out who is in charge. Offer to call the interviewer at a time that is convenient for them. Take the weight of remembering to call you off their shoulders. They may have done interviews with more than just you. You can also offer to send your resume over to them in a nice follow-up email.If you follow these tips, be polite, smile and remember to thank the person for their time, you are sure to do well if you find yourself in an inte rview out of the blue. Good luck!