Outlined below are 15 mannerisms and protocols you
should respect during your job interview:
- Interview Etiquette Tip One:
Arrive 15 minutes early
You never want to arrive late for your job
interview; however, arriving too early can also be a problem.
- Interview Etiquette Tip Two:
Make sure your cell phone is off
- Interview Etiquette Tip Three:
Give people your business card
The main reason for this is so people can remember
your name and pronounce it right. Also, it's easier to follow up with you
later.
You may be thinking, they already have your resume.
You're right.
But resumes are stored in a database or file cabinet
when your interview is over. If the hiring manager likes you, your business
card might lay on their desk in full sight long after you're gone.
- Interview Etiquette Tip Four:
Look people in the eye
Body language is an extremely important aspect of
proper interview etiquette. Communication experts tell us that 80% of our
communication with others is non-verbal.
One of the best ways to connect with people and
build trust is to look them in the eye. Eye contact is also important when you
are in a group interview setting.
Have you ever heard someone say, I don't trust
that guy. He didn't look me in the eye. Your eyes are the windows to your
soul.
- Interview Etiquette Tip Five:
Firm handshake
This is another non-verbal way to connect with
people.
You don't want your handshake to be too firm
either--especially if a man is shaking hands with a woman.
There is this guy at my church who practically
breaks my hand every time we shake hands. I actually try to avoid "The
Bone Crusher" on Sunday. Interview Etiquette Tip Six:
Greet your interviewers as Ms or Mr
Most people prefer you call them by their first
name.
Interview Etiquette Tip Seven:
Sometimes when your interviewer is soft spoken or
laid back you may feel a compulsion to keep things moving.
So, you start taking back some control and the next
thing you know, you're rambling.
Resist this. Let them run the interview.
If there are periods of silence...just sit there in
the silence. If you have prepared for your
interview, you
have nothing to worry about.
- Interview Etiquette Tip Eight:
Listen and pause before answering a question
Let your interviewer finish making their point,
pause for 1-2 seconds, then respond or add to their comments.
- Interview Etiquette Tip Nine:
Sit up straight and lean slightly forward
This type of posture communicates: I'm listening
and I'm very interested in what you have to say. It also signals you have
high energy and are ready to go to work.
I can't tell you the number of times managers have
rejected good candidates because, they were too laid back in their interview
...literally.
- Interview Etiquette Tip Ten:
Take a few notes during your interview
Bring a professional looking binder with you. Write
down a few notes during your interview.
This conveys a sincere interest in what your
interviewers have to say. You can also have a few key phrases written down to
help you if you get stuck, and your short list of your questions for them.
Lastly, you can have your references and copies of your resume handy in case they ask you for
them. If they ask you for your references during your interview, this is
definitely a buying signal.
- Interview Etiquette Tip Eleven:
Smile warmly
- Interview Etiquette Tip Twelve:
Pursue the job even if your interview is going
badly
You might be sitting in an awful interview thinking
to yourself, this is the last place I'd ever want to work...get me out of
here!
Best advice I can give you is be professional and
finish what you started.
- Interview Etiquette Tip Thirteen:
Close your interview with a lasting impression
At the conclusion of your interview, stand, make
eye contact, smile, shake hands, call interviewer by name, thank them, express
interest in the position, and ask what's the next step going forward.
Your interview is not over until you've driven out
of the parking lot.
In a few cases, I've known managers to watch
candidates from their office window as they exit the building and get into
their car.
People can do some pretty outrageous things like
spitting, lighting up a cigarette, arranging themselves, yapping on their cell
phones for 20 minutes while leaning on their car, chowing down on a sandwich in
their car, and other things you would not BAH-lieve if I told you.
So, stay in professional mode until your tail
lights are out of sight.
One time a candidate parked his car and walked a
good distance to the building where his interview was to take place.
The building was very modern and had mirrored
glass. You could see out, but you couldn't see inside.
As the candidate approached the entrance he quickly
darted over in front of one of the windows adjacent to the entrance.
He did a last minute check of his appearance in the
mirrored glass and discovered a couple of hairs out of place.
Sooooooo, he proceeded to spit in his hand, rub them together,
and slick back the unruly hairs to his satisfaction.
As luck would have it, the entire interview team
was sitting in...oh yes...you guessed it...the conference room adjacent
to the building entrance!
The entire panel watched in horror as this
candidate groomed himself up close and personal in true hillbilly fashion.
How would you handle a firm handshake in this
case?!
- Interview Etiquette Tip Fourteen:
Mail a thank you note the day after your interview
This is a MUST on the interview
etiquette list.
Candidates always score points with managers when
they mail out a brief thank you note.
- Interview Etiquette Tip Fifteen:
Exercise good follow up protocol
If after your job interview the company goes into
silent mode, it's perfectly OK to call them for feedback.
Here are 8 effective interview follow up techniques you can do to
influence hiring authorities to make you an offer without annoying them.
Most companies will eventually call you, but far
too many leave you hanging forever.
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