Interviews – they can be scary sometimes, and some may love it! This is your time to shine as a candidate and let your future employer know why you’re the best person for the job. Basically, it’s all about how well you can market yourself to strangers.
You’re not the only one feeling the pressure in the room though. Interviewers need to find the best candidate for the role, and that unfortunately means that they’ll be analyzing every word you say and every move you make.
Now before you worry too much and work yourself up about it, take a breath. There are actually a few things you can do in terms of etiquette to give yourself a head start.
Don’t be late.
This may seem obvious to many people, but it’s honestly one of the most important things. First impressions matter and timing is everything.
This also means that you shouldn’t show up way too early. You don’t want to spend an hour outside waiting for your turn while you watch all the other candidates leave.
You need to showcase your ability to manage your time well and you do so by being on time – ten minutes early.
Switch off your phone.
Make sure that your phone is switched off for the hour you’ll be answering questions.
There is nothing more distracting than someone’s phone going off during a conversation and as a potential candidate, you definitely don’t want to be that someone.
You want your interviewers to know that this meeting means a lot to you, and you do so by eliminating all distractions and other things that might grab your attention while you’re conversing.
Listen carefully.
Often, people will be thinking of something else while being interviewed.
The fact that you may be a little nervous won’t really help, but it’s important to listen very carefully to what you’re being asked.
You want to make sure that you’re answering the question that was asked, and don’t ramble on about something completely unrelated until you’ve completely forgotten their original question.
Don’t get too personal.
The days of extremely stiff, and hostile interviews are slowly making their way into the past, but regardless of how friendly your interviewer may be, you are not there to befriend them. Not yet anyway.
This means, no matter how tempted you may be to ask about the picture on their desk, you shouldn’t ask any personal questions.
Keep your professional distance and refrain from speaking about your own personal life, unless asked specifically to open up.
Look the part.
This is something you must’ve heard a thousand times now, but it will always apply.
Make sure you look neat for your interview. Shave and shower so you’ll look sharp, and the nervous sweat won’t catch up to you in that one-hour meeting.
The last thing you want is for your interviewers to be relieved once you leave so that they can breathe again.
Be careful with your questions.
No matter how comfortable your interviewer might make you feel or how friendly they are, do be careful to not overstep boundaries and ask too pressing questions that might leave a bad taste in your future employer’s mouth.
This can quickly make things very uncomfortable – stay on task and remember to stay professional and polite at all times.
