Review these job interview etiquette tips for before, during, and after a job interview, to ensure that your job interview etiquette is up to speed and you’re making the best impression on the interviewer. Regardless of the type of job you’re interested in, you want that first impression to be a great one. When dressing for an interview for a professional position, dress accordingly in business attire. If you’re applying for a job in a more casual environment, like a store or restaurant, it’s still important to be neat, tidy, and well-groomed, and to present a positive image to the employer. If you’re interviewing for a tech or web job and you want to show examples of your work, it’s okay to bring your laptop or tablet to show the interviewer what you have accomplished. What shouldn’t you bring? Don’t walk into a job interview with a coffee cup or bottle of soda or water or anything else to eat or drink. Don’t chew gum. Your cell phone should be turned off and out of sight. You don’t want to be the applicant whose text messages or calls disrupted the interview. You also may want to confirm the interview ahead of time, so you’re sure about where and when you need to arrive. Giving yourself a bit of extra time will provide you with an opportunity to stop in the restroom and freshen up, if need be, to make sure you don’t have any hair, makeup, or wardrobe malfunctions. A few extra minutes will also give you an opportunity to catch your breath and stay calm. An interview is even more stressful than normal if you’re rushing to get there on time. Greet your interviewer with a firm handshake and introduce yourself. Be prepared for a little small talk, but don’t overdo it. Follow the interviewer’s lead and let them guide the direction of the conversation. Be brief and don’t ramble when you respond. However, do be sure that your responses answer the questions, are focused, and highlight the skills you have that are relevant to the job. Do your best to get the hiring manager on your side during the interview. Keep in mind that your responses are your sales pitch. You’re selling the interviewer on yourself as the best candidate for a second interview and the job, so be sure you focus on your relevancy, i.e., why you are a good candidate, how you can do the job, what you can contribute, and how you will benefit the company if you’re hired. Have a list of three references printed out, including contact information for each reference, ready to offer the recruiter at the end of the interview. A pen and notepad are always useful for jotting down questions you might want to ask, and for making a note of the names of people you meet with. It’s appropriate to ask what the next step in the hiring process will be and when you might expect to hear. Finally, thank the interviewer for the time they spent interviewing with you. Review phone interview etiquette tips, including phone interview techniques, advice on how to prepare for a phone interview, and phone interview questions and answers, so you can ace the interview. Good manners can give you the edge over another candidate, so, take some time to brush up your dining etiquette skills before you go to the interview. In addition to saying thank you, refer to anything the interviewer mentioned that enhanced your interest and summarize why you think the job is a good match and why you’re a strong candidate for the job.
