Proper Job Interview Etiquette Tips To Keep In Mind

You’ve made it to the interview stage! This is an achievement in itself that also brings with it a host of potentially nerve-wracking things to keep in mind. Beyond what your experience and skill set can bring to a job, an interview is also an assessment of intangible characteristics, such as how you think on the fly, how you present yourself, and how you perform in an office setting. Here are some job interview etiquette tips to keep in mind to make sure you present your best self to your interviewer.

You want to work there, right? You should be able to speak knowledgably about basic functions of the company and understand the work they do. Also, you should be prepared to ask questions of the interviewer that are specific to the company. Your potential employer will want to see that you take an interest in the inner workings of the office and have thought about how you fit in with their overall goals. You can ask about long-range company goals, employee advancement, and even day-to-day activity like workflow and hierarchy.

Making a noticeable effort on your interview will show your potential employer that you are someone who is diligent, thoughtful, and conscientious. If possible, wear a suit to your interview. If you cannot do so (because, for instance, you’re interviewing during your lunch break from your current job), just make sure to look nice and professional. Make sure you have a few copies of your resume handy to give to your interviewer, and anyone else they may decide to have you meet. Show up a few minutes ahead of time, in case you have to fill out an application or sign into a building in the lobby.

When you meet your interviewer, make sure to give a firm handshake and look into their eyes while introducing yourself. Maintain eye contact throughout the interview; it shows you’re serious about what you’re saying, but also that you’re actively listening to your interviewer in the process.

During the interview, try to strike a good balance between being conversational, yet not informal; informative, but not stiff. Try to imagine the interview as a give-and-take conversation, instead of a Q&A. Follow up your answer to a question with a related question of your own. Try to make a free-flowing exchange instead of a Ping-Pong match with words.

Hopefully you have a successful interview, but even if you do not, make sure to be gracious at the end. Thank your interviewer for their time and deliver another firm handshake with eye contact. Make sure you send a thank you email or note to them the next day, thanking their time and consideration of your resume. This could be something that separates you from another similarly qualified candidate they’re considering.

Interviewing well is as much art as it is science. Do your research, deliver your credentials with confidence, but also maintain the human touch. Be conscientious and respectful, as well as engaging and informative. These intangibles can be the difference between landing the job and being passed over.