Though the modern world would think that etiquette was dead in the Victorian times, it is not so. Many aspects of etiquette are still prevalent and in use, only we do not stress on these.
Like every aspect in life has an etiquette attached to it, job interviews has a set of etiquette which may be a deciding factor if the employer has to decide between equals.
Proper Job Interviewing Etiquette
The following are some points on job interview etiquette to consider:
Arrive Early: Nothing is as irritating to an interviewer as waiting for the prospective interviewee. Make sure that you arrive at the interview site at least ten minutes prior to the actual interview. This is not only a matter of basic etiquette, but also something that would reflect on your professionalism.
Arrival: Take out the earphones from your ear even before you enter the foyer area. Though it does not matter to your work, the very action of a person taking out earphones comes across as not mature.
Take the first seat possible and settle down comfortably. Do not take out any electronic gadgets until and at the reception area. If you know that it would take some time, try to see if there’s a cafeteria or some other place where you can use your gadget until your wait time is over.
Do Not Stand Out: There are several cases where an interviewee stands out as a sore thumb while he or she is at the reception. This puts across the idea that the interviewee is new to the workplaces culture and that the organization would have to work hard on making the interviewee a perfect employee for the institution.
Receptionist: Do not ask the reception more than once in an hour about the interview, or about the person you are supposed to meet. The reception is more or less holding the fort and will have as much idea as you would about what’s going on inside. Making her do extra work to investigate, it would only make you unpopular with her.
The interview room: Once you have been escorted into the cabin or the office where your interview would be taken, your behavior matters a lot. If you have a few minutes to yourself, do not get up from your seat if you see something interesting. That would be the proverbial ‘caught with the hand in the cookie jar’. Of course, you can simply say that you were interested in whatever you saw and wanted to know more about it, but it’s not good etiquette to stare and fiddle around when nobody’s around in the room. If you do see something interesting and need to know about it, you can always ask about it once the interview is done, while going out.
For more details, refer to the articles:
• Job interview protocol
• Interview do’s and donts
• Job interview dress code
• After interview thank you letter etiquette
Phone Interview Etiquette
Nowadays, many interviews begin with phone interviews. Even as a phone interviewee, you have to keep various aspects of the etiquette in mind while attending a phone interview. Here are some aspects to keep in mind:
If you decide the time, better decide the venue: Many a times, the interviewee is asked to decide a time that is mutually comfortable for both parties. If you have been extended this opportunity, make sure that you would have a non interrupted, quiet conversation with the interviewer.
No surrounding noises: No television voices, no microwave, washing machine voices to disturb the calls. There are several people who get disturbed and cannot take a decision just because there is a distinct hum in the background while they are thinking. You wouldn’t want that kind of person to be your interviewer if you are not phone interview etiquette conscious.
Paperwork: Be ready with the points you want to raise and highlight, the resume and even your references. When the interview asks about certain issues, you will be able to answer immediately.
Speak clearly: Since the interviewer can’t see you, you have to speak clearly. Using a good grammar is also noticed.
Do not speak to another person while on a job interview call: Interrupting a normal call to talk to a person is bad enough, but interrupting a job interview call to talk to someone else is sacrilege. Try not to do it if you want to see yourself employed.
Be positive and even smile: Though the interview is not a face to face interview, a positive manner and a smile can be sensed over the phone.
Refer also to the article: Phone Interview Questions.
