Interview Etiquette and Performance

First of all, be prepared in terms of where the interview is being held. If you are not sure, get in your car and find the location ahead of time. That way you’ll be sure where you are going and you won’t have to worry about knowing the drive time. With mapping and directions available easily online, you have no excuse for not being fully prepared to arrive on time. If your interview is being held in a large building, allow extra time to get to the right office suite after you arrive at the main address. Be well rested and eat something healthy beforehand, if possible.

DO NOT BE LATE. Expect to have a very large strike against you if you arrive after the start time of the interview. Arrive very late and you may not even have an interview. Assume traffic will be bad. Save yourself the stress and added pressure by leaving early and having some extra time to spare. You’ll be more relaxed and composed. Once you arrive, announce yourself to the receptionist or appropriate staff member. Make sure you have put yourself in an optimistic frame of mind. Be polite and respectful. Look people in the eye, and remember to smile. Making a good impression on others may mean a lot more than you might think. Often, opinions are solicited beyond the interview room. DO NOT bring a cell phone into the interviewing location. Leave it in your car. At no time should you ever look at your watch or a clock that may be located in the interview room.

Once presented to the interviewer, say hello and introduce yourself directly. If the interviewer wishes to shake hands, offer a brief, slightly firm handshake and make good eye contact. Sit in your chair upright and resist any urge to slouch. Place your hands in front of you and be attentive throughout the entire interview. Be very mindful of listening carefully to everything that is said. This way, you can answer as effectively as possible. Never interrupt the interviewer and avoid rambling on. But remember that a good interviewer wants to listen to what you have to say. Everyone’s style is different, but the only way to complete a thorough interview is to let the candidate speak. That means you can expect to answer a lot of questions. Be prepared in this regard by anticipating in advance what kinds of questions might be asked. For example, if you worked somewhere for a short amount of time, prepare an answer as to why you left after such a short period. Lessen the chance of surprise, and a poor answer. Don’t try to change the course of the conversation. A professional interviewer will set aside time to tell you about the company and the position. You should be able to ask your own questions during this period. More on this shortly.

During this interview process, always be positive. Any job you had was beneficial in some way. Everything is a learning experience. Put it all in a positive light. A job change was a new opportunity, a chance for advancement and the possibility of growing. Do not ever bad mouth or criticize former co-workers, managers or executives. That’s an instant red flag for an interviewer. No one wants to hire someone who might have a poor attitude or outlook. Everyone wants to hire winners. Be sure to act like one in every interview.

Keep in mind that nearly all questions have a purpose and the answers will tell the interviewer something about you. Accordingly, do not express enjoyment for late night clubbing, partying or fringe activities. Always be smart with your answers. When you are told about the position, be sure to express your interest and enthusiasm, but not in an overly exuberant or fake way. But you want to be sure they know you want the job. Do not be afraid to say so. That’s why you are there, and hiring managers want to hire someone who they believe truly wants to join their team.

When the interviewer offers you the opportunity to ask your own questions, be as thoughtful with your queries as you were with your answers to the questions posed to you. Remember, your questions will be likewise interpreted by a smart interviewer, who’ll assess them in the context of your true interest, attitude, intelligence and teamwork inclinations. Accordingly, while it is certainly appropriate to ask questions about pay, benefits, vacations, etc., inquire about these things after you ask about job duties, team and department structure, job challenges, and opportunities to grow within the position (this should be subtle so as not to infer any lack of interest in the specific position you are seeking. Make it about expanding responsibilities, not how quickly you can jump ship on the position currently sought). Again, think about how the interviewer is interpreting what you are saying. If you come off as selfish or excessively focused on your end of the bargain, you will create doubt about your commitment and motives. Keep your sights firmly directed on making the very most of your interview opportunity. When the interview is concluding, be sure to express not only your desire for the position, but your certainty that you will be the right choice for the job. Say it and mean it. Thank the interviewer for the opportunity to be considered for the job. Offer your appreciation and your hope that you will hear further about the opening.