We’ve all had those interviews where the candidate just didn’t feel quite prepared. Maybe they were late. Maybe they looked a bit disheveled. Maybe they hadn’t done much research. And the initial instinct is often to give the benefit of the doubt. Everyone has off days. Everyone deserves a break.
But we think this raises a fair question: is it actually right to have a high bar for interviews?
Thinking on this topic, we were struck with a bit of nostalgia from back to school shopping as youths. One of our moms used to say (originally from her mom): “If you don’t love it in the dressing room, you aren’t going to like it at home.” Similar to how dressing rooms are thoughtfully designed to help you like that new shirt, an interview is the version of the candidate that should be the most prepared, the most intentional, and the most locked in.
Because interviews, for better or worse, are one of the more important events in someone’s professional life. You know when it is. You know what it’s for. You know what’s at stake. Given this, it follows that you should put in a bit of extra effort in preparation. Get up early. Spend time understanding the company. Be ready to talk through your experience clearly. And for those in Wisconsin, be on Lombardi time.
We aren’t saying to expect perfection. Nerves are real, and strong candidates can still have average interviews. But there’s a difference between nerves and a lack of preparation. And in our experience, preparation tends to carry over. The way someone shows up when it matters is often a good indicator of how they will show up on a random February 7th when it’s cold, dark, and raining sideways.
On the employer side, the same logic applies. Candidates are evaluating you in the exact same way. Disorganized process, late interviewers, unclear communication, those are all signals too. The interview is the dressing room for both sides.
So yes, we think it’s okay to have standards here. Not perfection, but intention. Because every hire is a bet, and this is one of the clearest signals you’ll get.
And sometimes, it’s as simple as this:
If you don’t love it in the dressing room, you probably won’t like it at home.
Until next time,
Your Spherion WI & Northern IL team