Interviewing Skills
What to do During an interview
Business Etiquette 101
To land the job, you will want to appear professional, confident, and capable. You will be judged not only on your ability to do the job itself, but on how well you will get along with the people with whom you will be working. The hiring manager watches your communication skills and your manners to predict whether you will work well with others.
Fair or not, using poor manners can give the hiring manager the impression that:
- you are unlikely to be able to perform well in certain work situations, especially those involving work teams or customers.
- you do not care about, value, or respect the people with whom you are interacting.
- you are prone to rudeness or ignorance.
Top ten business etiquette tips to use in an interview:
- Be on time. If you will be late, show that you are respectful of the interviewer's time. Call to let them know when to expect you.
- Thank the interviewer for taking the time to meet with you, both at the beginning of the interview and again at the end.
- Dress appropriately. If you arrive dressed too casually or too formally, the situation can be uncomfortable for both you and the person interviewing you.
- Introduce yourself to the receptionist and to everyone you meet in the interview.
- Shake hands with everyone, using a firm (but not forceful) grip and good eye contact.
- Sit when you are asked to sit, not before.
- Place your loose items on the floor next to your seat, in your lap, or on the side table, coffee table, or in front of you at a conference table; do not put them on the interviewer's desk unless it is offered to you. Your briefcase or bag should be kept at your feet, not on a chair or table.
- Do not ask for refreshments or permission to smoke. If a refreshment is offered, you may accept. If you are asked to dine out as part of your interview, use good table manners.
- Keep all of your mobile and other electronic devices turned completely off. A phone set to vibrate will interrupt the meeting.
- Keep a positive and friendly attitude.
