INTERVIEW ETIQUETTE 101
I always believed Interview Etiquette should be taught in school - just like they teach Home Economics, they need to teach Career Economics and add Interview Etiquette as a part of it. As a hiring manager, I am amazed by how many candidates arrive to interviews unprepared, or late!
Interview Etiquette 101:
Dress the Part: Do your research. Companies want to make sure you are a good cultural fit and will be a good brand ambassador. Your physical presentation is the first indication of this.
Keep it on-brand
Keep it professional
Keep it polished
Pay attention to details (hair, make up, nails, stains, wrinkles, etc.) Nothing goes unnoticed.
Be Early: always arrive at least 15-minutes early. This gives you enough of a buffer in case things go wrong. Map out your route. Know exactly where you are going. This is an indication of responsibility. If you are late to an interview, you will likely be late to work. First impressions are key. If you are doing a virtual interview, always test your wi-fi, camera, speaker/sound at least a day before the interview, and then again 15-minutes before the interview. There is nothing more frustrating to a hiring manager than wasting 10 minutes of valuable time trouble shooting IT issues with a candidate.
Bring your resume, portfolio, and references: You are selling yourself to the company; these documents are your sales tools. You may not need them, but you’ll be prepared if you do. Bring multiple copies of your resume (in case you meet multiple people or spill coffee on one).
Study your Resume: A big turn off for a hiring manager is when a candidates’ resume is not aligned with the in-person answers. This is a big red flag for hiring managers that you are not being truthful on your resume. Make sure you are prepared to walk through your resume.
Be prepared with an Elevator Pitch: 30 second blurb about you: who you are, past work experience, & why you would be a good fit for the role and company. Sell your skills and accomplishments. Avoid sharing too much personal information. Hiring managers are assessing your skill set and do not need the details about your home life.
Study the Company: Do your research. Spend time reading through the company website and other news/articles related to the business (past and present). You have to show that you are eager and excited to join the company. This level of detail shows hiring manager that you are invested and aligned with the company mission.
Be Confident & Charismatic: You are selling yourself as a candidate. You need to be engaging and charismatic, regardless of the interviewer. Be confident, without being cocky.
Practice a Firm Handshake
Maintain Eye Contact at all times
Avoid Filler Words (like, um, etc.)
Maintain Good Posture
Answer the questions directly; do not lie, do not oversell yourself. Be honest and direct.
Practice Manners: saying please, thank you, you’re welcome, are all standard mannerisms that should be practiced during an interview and after. Make sure you send a Thank You note to your interviewer. *E-mail is preferred as it reaches your interviewer quicker than snail mail.
Keep it professional - do not send flowers, candy, etc. This is overboard and borderline bribery. Hiring managers are not permitted to accept gifts from candidates and this will force us to question your level of professionalism.
Make it direct - Thank you emails should include:
Thank You for time & consideration
Reiteration of why you would be a good fit for the role (your key skills) - always key to tie this back into the company mission.
Eagerness to continue the process
Preparation is the key to success with interviews. The more prepared you are, the less nervous you will be. The less nervous you are, the more confident you will be. The more confident you are, the more likely you will be successful in selling your skill sets.
