Everyone gets a little nervous when heading into an interview and might make a mistake or two. If you happen to make a mistake during an interview, here are some ways to correct it.

Ag Career Day is Oct. 15 and with that in mind, students should know what not to do if you score that interview. Here are some dos and don’ts when going into an interview.

Do

• Research — Nothing looks worse than coming into an interview not knowing anything about the company.

• Give details — Employers like to see depth to your answers.

• Follow up — Send an email or letter of thanks reiterating your strengths and including anything you forgot to mention.

• Dress up — This might seem obvious, but dress to impress.

• Ask for the job — This may be awkward, but at the end of the interview tell employers that you want the job.

• Ask questions — Employers are asking you all the questions, now give them some.

Don’t

• Lie — Even if it’s something small, employers have ways of finding out.

• Forget — No-shows are unacceptable unless a true emergency took place, in which case employers should still be notified.

• Harass — We all want to know if we got the job, but don’t hound employers. Contact them only after the time frame in which they said they would reach you.

• Leave out the small stuff — Employers like to hear about your internships, work experience, clubs and future goals.

• Bring up controversial topics — Government, politics and religion are off limits.

Jessica Putz, senior in agriculture studies, said her main advice to peers is to dress professionally and be open to all employers, even if you think it is something you’re not interested in.

Mike Gaul, director of Agriculture Career Services, said a student’s ultimate goal can be summed up in three words: well-rounded candidate. In the first seven seconds, steps and words you say, employers have an idea in their mind if they like you or not.

Employers are looking for someone who can walk up to their booth, look them in the eye and confidently tell them his or her story and what they are looking for. It’s your chance to take control when an employers says “Tell me a little bit about yourself.”

A lot of agriculture students tell employers that in one to two years they want to go back to the farm or back to graduate school. Employers aren’t going to hire someone they can only have for a short amount of time. Choose to forego this information, because you really don’t know what your future holds.

Gaul’s last bit of advice about the Ag Career Day coming up is that you will never get this opportunity again. You will never again have 220 employers knocking on your doorstep looking to recruit you.

“It’s amazing how many students don’t go to these things.” Gaul said. “If you are serious about your job search, you will come to these things.”