Interview Etiquette

The interview process can be a daunting one; especially given that you are being evaluated on every sentence and interaction essentially from the moment you click ‘apply now’ (no pressure). If you are fortunate enough to be shortlisted for a role and secure an interview, it is your opportunity to make a great first impression and show why you over all other candidates would be a great addition to the team.

Whether you are about to land your first job as a graduate or you are a working professional looking to enter into a new industry, these tips are your guide to modern interview etiquette and mastering your next interview.

Be Prepared

If you are genuinely interested in a role and see potential as a future place of work make sure that you research the company prior to the interview, this is a must. Nothing looks worse than a prospective employee who knows nothing about the company or why you want to work there. Employers will often ask questions about the business and you don’t want to be one of those who flunk the answers and can’t respond. So do your homework, understand what they do, their values and mission statement and keep in mind some questions about the role or organisation you would like to ask the employer.

Arrive At The RIGHT Time

Make sure you are on time to your interview and by on time we mean not too early and definitely not late. Being early is essential 5-10minutes early is perfect. But do not come way ahead of time as interviewer’s are often preparing material for the interview and also have other commitments so do not want to be pressured in rushing to see you. They have set an interview time for a reason.

Dress The Part

The way you physically present yourself is someone’s first impression of you even before you open your mouth to talk. Always be tidy and professional in appearance, jeans and running shoes just wont cut it. No matter how casual you may think the company is, always lean on the side of dressing professional. Think about it this way: you should always dress for the position you aspire to have one day—not just the position you’re interviewing for. Employers look at you as representing their organisation so presentation is very important.

Etiquette

Be respectful during the interview and turn your mobile phone off before you enter the room. Having a ringing phone during an interview is highly disrespectful and does not reflect well on you. Don’t keep looking at your watch as if you are in a rush to leave and definitely, definitely do not slump when you’re in an interview. Your posture will reflect your enthusiasm for the role.

Say Thank You

Always remember to thank your interviewer afterwards for their time and consideration. A thank you email is an excellent approach or even better a handwritten note would really make you stand out from the crowd. Write and send it immediately so that the person receives it no more than a couple of days after the interview.

Here are some quick-fire do’s and don’ts for you to remember!

DO

• Do prepare in advance. Know the exact time of your interview and the precise location. Plan how long it will take you to get there, park, find a restroom and organise yourself.
• Do stand up and shake your interviewers hand when they walk into the room. Offer a firm handshake, make eye contact and have a smile when you introduce yourself.
• Do respond to the questions and back up your statements by using specific examples when possible. A favourable interview technique, which gives you structure and definition when discussing an answer, is the STAR technique. There are multiple resources for this online.
• Do maintain good eye contact during the interview, don’t look at the ground or up at the ceiling.
• Do demonstrate a positive attitude and optimistic outlook. Your interviewer is evaluating you as a potential team member and someone they would want to work with; cultural fit is very important for employers.

DON’T

• Don’t answer your cell phone during the interview or even give it an opportunity to ring. Your phone should be turned off before you enter the interview room, as it is a signal of disrespect.
• Don’t make negative comments about previous employers or organisations; there is nothing worse than someone who goes on and on about how bad their previous workplace was, very unprofessional.
• Don’t be unprepared for typical interview questions that are standard across the board. You may not be asked them but you should know how to answer a typical question such as: “Can you give me an example of a difficult situation you have faced and how did you overcome the challenges?”
• Don’t chew gum, dress casually or smell like smoke.
• Don’t falsify resume details or answers to impress the interviewer, take responsibility for your decisions and actions and never come across arrogant or overly confident.

If you have any further questions on how to prepare for your interview contact our career development manager Linda Henderson for a confidential discussion on: (04) 472 7878.