Job Interview Etiquette

Before you even say a word, prospective employers are sizing you up and making mental notes about your suitability for their business. While standing apart from the crowd of applicants can be a good thing in many ways, interviews are an aspect of the job-seeking process where you want to demonstrate unparalleled professional etiquette.


Be Timely
Applicants who are punctual (or no more than 10 minutes early) and appropriately dressed for the position are already ahead of the game. Running in late and spending the first few critical moments explaining why you couldn't arrive on time may significantly lessen your chance to make a good first impression. Plan your route the day before, and include some extra time for factors such as potential traffic snares, parking and reaching the office floor.

Keep It Professional
A number of nonverbal cues throughout an interview can sabotage even the most qualified applicant. Greeting the interviewer with a smile, firm handshake and eye contact shows your unspoken communication skills. Physical poise can demonstrate a polished, confident air, so be mindful of your body language. In addition to sitting and standing up straight, keep your arms and legs uncrossed so you don't appear uncomfortable or guarded; women should cross their ankles, while men align feet and knees with their shoulders. Remember to completely turn off your cell phone rather than leave it on vibrate, which can often still be heard. And deposit your gum before entering the interview.

Limit the Chat
The open-ended nature of many interview questions, which allows you to offer more than a simple yes or no answer, is your opportunity to engage in brief, targeted conversation. While this approach encourages a greater free flow of thoughts and opinions, it can also lead to being overly chatty. Take a deep breath before answering the question to help calm nerves and keep your response on task.

Show Appreciation
Thanking the interviewer for his time is an after-the-fact gesture that brings the whole process full circle. Sending a thank-you note not only demonstrates a professional courtesy that's appropriate at any job level, but it also gives you the opportunity to include another attribute or detail that was not discussed in the interview. This simple step may not seem to hold much sway when it comes to landing the job, but acting on this final measure can distinguish you from other applicants by reinforcing a positive impression. Whether it's best to send a thank-you by postal mail or email is debated by etiquette specialists.

Originally written for and published by Demand Media