Interview Do's and Don'ts

Interview DO’s and DONT’s

>>  Dress appropriately for the industry to show that you take the interview seriously. Your personal grooming and cleanliness should be impeccable.

>>  Find out the exact time and location of your interview; know how long it takes to get there. So that you get there before time.  Find a rest room to freshen up, etc.

>>  Arrive at least 10 minutes prior to the interview start time.

>>  Treat other people you encounter with courtesy and respect. Their opinions of you might be solicited during hiring decisions.

>>  Offer a firm handshake, make eye contact, and have a friendly expression when you are greeted by your interviewer.

>>  Listen to be sure you understand your interviewer's name and the correct pronunciation.

>>  Even when your interviewer gives you a first and last name, address your interviewer by title (Ms., Mr., Dr.) and last name, until invited to do otherwise.

>>  Maintain good eye contact during the interview.

>>  Sit still in your seat; avoid fidgeting and slouching.

>>  Respond to questions and back up your statements about yourself with specific examples whenever possible.

>>  Ask for clarification if you do not understand a question.

>>  Be thorough in your responses, while being concise in your wording.

>>  Be honest and be yourself. Dishonesty is easily discovered and is grounds for withdrawing job offers and for firing. You want a good match between yourself and your employer. If you are hired by acting like someone other than yourself, you and your employer will both be unhappy.

>>  Treat the interview seriously and as though you are truly interested in the employer and the opportunity presented.

>>  Exhibit a positive attitude. The interviewer is evaluating you as a potential co-worker. Behave like someone you would want to work with.

>>  Have intelligent questions prepared to ask the interviewer. Having done your research about the employer in advance, ask questions, which you did not find answered in your research.

>>  Evaluate the interviewer and the organization he/she represents. An interview is a two-way street. Conduct yourself cordially and respectfully, while thinking critically about the way you are treated and the values and priorities of the organization.

>>  Make sure you understand the employer's next step in the hiring process; know when and from whom you should expect to hear next. Know what action you are expected to take next, if any.

>>  When the interviewer concludes the interview, offer a firm handshake, make eye contact, and depart gracefully.

>>  After the interview, make notes right away so you don't forget critical details.

>>  Write a thank-you letter to your interviewer promptly.

Interview DON'Ts

>>  Don't make excuses. Take responsibility for your decisions and your actions.

>>  Don't make negative comments about previous employers (or others).

>>  Don't falsify application materials or answers to interview questions.

>>  Don't treat the interview casually, as if you are just shopping around or doing the interview for practice. This is an insult to the interviewer and to the organization.

>>  Don't give the impression that you are only interested in an organization because of its geographic location.

>>  Don't give the impression you are only interested in salary; don't ask about salary and benefits issues until your interviewer brings up the subject.

>>  Don't act as though you would take any job or are desperate for employment.

>>  Don't make the interviewer guess what type of work you are interested in; it is not the interviewer's job to act as a career advisor to you.

>>  Don't be unprepared for typical interview questions. You cannot expect them to all the general questions, but being unprepared looks foolish.

>>  A job search can be hard work and involve frustrations; don't exhibit frustrations or a negative attitude in an interview.

>>  Don't go to extremes with your posture; don't slouch, and don't sit rigidly on the edge of your chair.

>>  Don't assume that a female interviewer is "Mrs." or "Miss." Address her as "Ms." unless told otherwise. Her marital status is irrelevant to the purpose of the interview.

>>  Don't chew gum or smell like u just smoked.

>>  Don't allow your cell phone to sound during the interview. (If it does, apologize quickly and ignore it.) Don't take a cell phone call.

>>  Don't take your parents, your pet, spouse, fiancé, friends to an interview. That gives a bad sign to the employer.