Interview Etiquette-All you need to know
As we start a new year, you will be receiving a lot of opportunities to apply for. As much as your technical knowledge and industry experience are important to secure a role, however sometimes slight mistakes related to ‘Interview etiquette’ may ruin your chances for the opportunity.
We at Career One Stop would like to prepare Job Seekers to make sure they nail their interviews and impress our clients.?Maintaining proper interview etiquette is an absolutely crucial first step to making a great first impression, so combining the 9 courteous techniques below with thorough preparation and impressive answers, you’ll be great!
1. Timing is Everything: Don’t be late, and Don’t be too early:
Give yourself a good hour before the interview to sit back, relax and regroup. If you are, for unforeseen circumstances, running late, it’s very important that you are courteous and apologetic to your interviewer. Your interviewer may have other tasks to complete and even need some time to prepare themselves before the interview, hence arriving too early could leave them feeling under pressure, rushed, and even slightly irritated. Arriving 15 minutes early is just about perfect.
If the interview is virtual… Please make sure to be on time be in the waiting room 1 min before and check that you have tested to make sure your camera is working and so is your microphone. Keep the camera still and ensure that you sit somewhere the interviewer can hear you and you will not be distracted – please try and have a neutral background behind you. Try to not be driving, walk your dog, or sit in bed – this does not look good on camera.
2. Dress to Impress
Whether your potential employers have a casual office uniform or not, you need to dress to impress and prove that you’re willing to put in some effort to win them over! Check their website and see if you can see photos to see their dress code – be smart and confident in your appearance.
3. Know Their Name
Prior to your interview, you should receive an email or confirmation along with the interviewer’s full name (if you don’t, it may be worth asking for it). Try not to forget the name of your interviewer – things could get awkward!
4. Have a Drink
Taking a glass of water prior to your interview shows that you’re calm and collected, quenches your nervous dry mouth, settles your nerves, and will also act as a nice little distraction, giving you a quick breather between interview questions and can give you a moment’s thinking time.
5. Turn Your Mobile Phones Off
Make sure to silence your phone/turn it off during your interview. Answering a phone call, texting, or even hearing the ringtone may be considered a lack of respect for the interviewer. Accidents do happen, and if your phone does ring, don’t ignore it; apologize and turn it off immediately. The same can be said for smartwatches don’t keep looking at them mute notifications so that you are not distracted by them.
6. Body Language
???Do sit up straight and look genuinely interested.
???Do keep good eye contact.
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???Do engage with your interviewer
????Don’t slouch.
?? ?Don’t lean forward, towards the interviewer.
????Don’t point.
?????Don’t cross your arms.
?????Blink - Don’t stare for too long.
?? ??Don’t fidget.
?????Don’t keep looking around the room.
7. Always Be Prepared
We always recommend thorough and detailed preparation before interviews, including any questions you’d like to ask them. It shows that you care enough to go the extra mile, are committed to the job role, and that you’re not wasting the interviewer’s time.? Check their website / social media channels/links in- show that you have done your research on them and their latest projects – always helps to know the type of events that they work on.
8. Don’t Over-share
???Never complain about previous employers, colleagues, or jobs.
???Never discuss personal topics like relationship issues, family problems, or addictions.?
9. Show Gratitude
At the end of your interview, be sure to thank the interviewer for their time with that good firm handshake be it virtual or in person.