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[quote=Anonymous]As an academic who takes a fair amount of pride in not being frumpy (really, PP, get over the stereotypes and spend some time at a local college or university) and who does a whole bunch of hiring and interviewing, I'll share the following:

1.  You can wear pants (although I'll gently but firmly note that anyone who goes into an interview with a "no matter what" disposition about anything other than things like stealing or fraud may find some challenges -- try to have a bit more of an open mind).
2.  You want the interviewer(s) to focus on what you have to say, not what you wear.  Nothing flashy or so revelatory that they'll wonder why you didn't take care of a plunging neckline, for instance.
3.  Be comfortable:  practice walking in your shoes, sitting in your outfit, answering questions with a minimum of gestures, etc.,.
4.  If you wear jewelry (which I do), avoid bracelets than clank or dangle (seriously:  they can get caught and you and the interviewer(s) get distracted).
5.  People really do pay attention to scruffed shoes and scruffed handbags.  There's a difference between not being able to afford new things and not using a little polish to tend to what you do have.
6.  For your hair -- it's okay to leave it long, but just be sure you brush it and don't, as a nervous habit, twirl it.  
7.  This will sound silly, but I'd keep a hankerchief (or kleenex) close at hand in case you sneeze or cough. 
8.  Have a breath mint or rinse your mouth just before the interview.  You will be nervous and your throat may be dry, so this will help with that as well as with the hygiene thing (people really do notice smells, etc. and you never know who might be extremely sensitive to smells in small places).
9.  Before you go to the main office, go into the restroom, stand up straight, take a deep breath, smile and look in the mirror and say to yourself "I can do this."  A previous mentor gave me this advice right before I applied for a major position; I've used it several times in different settings (before speeches, etc.,) and it really does work like a charm.
10. Review the institution's website thoroughly.  Try to find some information about the people with whom you'll be interviewing.  Don't drop that information into the interview, but do use it to avoid stepping on landmines (for example, if you were applying to be a paralegal in a defense law firm, you wouldn't necessarily rail on big corporations if you knew that the firm represented such.  I know you're in an academic-type setting, but I'm trying to give a more generic example).

The main thing is to be confident, poised, able to relax and smile, and steady with your responses. Don't say what you think the interviewer(s) want to hear; say what you mean and what you know (while keeping the open mind as noted in #1).

One more thing -- others may disagree with me, but I tend to urge candidates and friends to be open about any "gaps" in the resume.  Since you've been at home, you should explain that at an opportunity and explain how your circumstances are now ideal for a new position.  If you've been doing volunteer work or other things that have keep you current, I would suggest you find a way to incorporate that into your answers.  You have NOTHING to apologize for in terms of having stayed at home and in fact have a great deal to gain since you've been working at an incredibly important place -- your home and heart.

Good luck![/quote]

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