Etiquette Today: The Job Interview Part II, Day Of
Part I gave tips for a good self-assessment, now let's look at how to give yourself the best chance of getting the job at the interview.
You’ve done your self-assessment, you’ve fine-tuned your actions, appearance, and words now it’s time to get ready, get to the interview, and be your best self during it. Let’s look at some key points to get right.
GROOMING & HYGIENE
Today is definitely the day to make sure that you are looking, feeling, and smelling your best. After a good nights sleep, teeth should be brushed (bonus points for floss and mouthwash too.) Hair should be well managed or tended to with some thought and care. Make-up is a personal choice, so only use it if you feel like it enhances your features and you feel good about wearing it. Deodorant is highly recommended. Remember antiperspirants will help with perspiration; deodorant helps with odor.
DRESS APPROPRIATELY
Through your self-assessment you’ve looked at and considered what clothing and outfits suit you best. You have thought about what outfits let you shine rather than your clothing or accessories stealing the show. You’ve also considered what’s appropriate and standard within the field to which you are applying. Now it’s time to put it all on and be proud of yourself. Iron items that would benefit from it. Double-check for stains, worn corners, or rips, and feel good about changing an item out if you notice something that could be distracting.
ARRIVE EARLY
You’ve already scouted out the best route to get to your interview based on the time of day and day of the week. And maybe, you’ve even done a trial run. Now it’s time to put all that preparation to good use and get to your interview, not just on time but early. While arriving early in social situations can be rude, arriving early (by 10 minutes or so) for business shows that you know how to prioritize appointments and that you are capable of being not just on time, but early. These are good things to be able to show a potential new boss without having even said a word. If you find you’ve arrived quite early (more than 15-20 minutes) it’s okay to wait to go in, grab a water, take a little walk (if the weather won’t complicate your appearance), or even just sit quietly and think over some common interview questions and answers.
ONCE YOU ARRIVE
Introduce yourself to the receptionist or whomever greets you and take note of their name. It’s nice to be able to say both, “Pleased to meet you.” and “Goodbye/Take care/Thanks again for your help [name]” on your way out. Showing respect and consideration for ANY employee you interact with on your way to your actual interview is a great way to start your potential new work relationships.
Shake hands when you introduce yourself or when introductions are made. Follow the introduction by saying something like, “Thank you for taking the time to interview me today. I appreciate the opportunity.”
Wait for your interviewer to invite you to sit down, or if they don’t, wait until they’ve taken their seat to sit.
If anyone enters the room later in the interview, stand and either introduce yourself or as introductions are made, reach out to shake hands with the person you’re being introduced to.
Speak clearly and don’t rush yourself. It’s okay to take your time with your answers. Most important is that you directly answer each question. You can always say, “I have an example of this I can share if you’d like to hear it.” instead of just launching into a story or example. Make eye contact with each person you speak with when answering their questions. If it’s a panel interviewing you, be sure to direct your attention to each throughout your response. If you cannot make eye contact or sustain it easily, try looking at the bridge of the interviewer’s nose.
Smile. It shows you’re approachable and friendly, and able to relax and be personable during a stressful or intimidating situation.
It’s okay to ask about when a decision could be made and if the company will or will not be calling those who did not get the position. Hopefully the interviewer will make this clear, but if not, you may ask. Nothing can change a good impression to a bad one more quickly then if you follow up too often and too eagerly after an interview. Understanding the process before you leave the interview can help you know if reaching out is going to even be needed.
Two more thank you’s: You’ve already said thank you for the opportunity when you greeted your interviewer. Now that the interview has concluded, before you leave, you want to say this again. In warm and confident tone say something like, “Jessica and Taylor, thank you again for the opportunity. I have enjoyed meeting you both and really appreciate you taking the time to meet with me today.” You can always add what you found impressive or exciting about the company if it fits with how you felt.
For your final thank you there are different approaches people take. This thank you is a written follow-up after the interview. If there is enough time you can send a handwritten note later that day or the next morning via the mail (see sample below). You could email a thank-you if you know the interview process and candidate selection will be completed very quickly. The email will get there faster than the mail in this case. Some people bring a note with them to write in the lobby or at a cafe nearby after the interview and then leave it with the front desk. This works best when you do not pre-write a generic note. By mentioning a few things from the interview in the note, you’ll impress the interviewer and give them something more personal. Receiving a generic thank-you note that was clearly written before the interview, can take the sincerity out of the note. Whichever method fits your situation best, be sure to double-check your spelling and grammar.
SAMPLE THANK-YOU NOTE
Dear Ms. Armstead or Jessica, [use a title and last name, in business, if you are not clearly on a first-name basis.]
It was a pleasure to meet you Friday. Thank you for taking the time to interview me for the position of ________. I really appreciated learning ________________ about [COMPANY NAME]. I am very interested in the position and look forward to hearing from you regarding it. Wishing you well, and thank you again for taking the time to interview me.
Sincerely,
Olga Simonette
If you were interviewed by a panel it’s best to write to each person, even if the notes are similar.
SIGNED COPIES AVAILABLE
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