Well, depending on your circumstances, meaning are you a recent grad, or someone who is returning into the workplace or, someone whose resume just has not gotten the kind of response you’ve hoped.  Although we sometimes think we know best on how we should present ourselves, it’s often a good idea to get the advice of an unbiased point of view.  Spending a reasonable amount of money to have an expert review, write and offer feedback on your resume is not a waste of money.  If your resume has not gotten the rave reviews you seek, then maybe you are missing something or not positioning yourself in the most effective way.  Having an objective third party guide you will not only provide you with valuable insight into your background that you may have overlooked but might even help you get a call back for a second interview.

There is an appropriate time to wait and to follow up particularly if they’ve expressed interest in having you interview for a second time.  If it’s been more than 2-3 days it’s best to follow up with a phone call and an email letting them know your availability and your interest in wanting to follow up.   Without being a pest, you should call again and email a second time if you have not heard back in a week.  Chances are priorities have changed, or there is a personal matter that has nothing to do with you so before you throw up your hands in despair reach out again and you may be presently surprised by the reception.

Doing your research on the company environment is a very important step in your ability to make a good first impression.  Dressing appropriately for the interview is a statement on how well you will fit into the culture of the company.  If you misjudged, then there is no way to undo what has already passed.  If you are fortunate to get a second chance, make sure you call ahead and ask the interviewer what the proper attire would be and let them know you want to make sure you don’t make a mistake.  It’s okay to admit you may not have gotten it right the first time just don’t make another mistake if given a second chance.

Many employers are not necessarily up to speed on what is legally appropriate to ask candidates on an interview.  That said you don’t want to be the one necessarily correcting the interviewer either.  It’s best to be polite yet direct with your response. If child-care is an issue for you and you really, really want the job and can’t gauge the company’s stand on flexible hours, etc., it’s always best to respond with a question of your own.  A good way to turn this around it so ask, “What is the company policy on child-care, flexible hours?”  “How does the company perceive working mothers/fathers with child-care obligations?”  See if you can’t get some sense on this before responding.  If you want the job and have a need to balance your home life as well, make sure you understand the scope of responsibilities required before putting yourself into a work environment that will not support your life style.

Depending on the type of job you are applying for, full-time, part-time, freelance, etc. will guide you on how best to approach the flexibility in work hours you seek.  Many jobs today offer more flexible alternatives to your work-life balance than ever before.  However, there are still quite a few companies that possess a more traditional work environment so you should be cautioned on how best to approach your desire for more freedom.  Mentioning this on an initial interview is probably not recommended, again only if the job clearly does not look like it would offer such flexibility.  You would probably know that when you do research and read the actual job posting.  Remember to keep your cards close to your chest and not reveal too much of your wish list up front.  Let them get excited about you as a candidate before laying out your desires.