Got Manners? Four Interview Faux Pas to Avoid

Got manners? Good, we knew you did. Consider this post a refresher for um, a friend. Seriously, when read this piece on The Work Buzz, we feverishly shook our heads in agreement but since you can't see us, you'll have to take our word for it. 1. Be nice. Rudeness happens too often in recruiting land. A job seeker arrives for the interview and is actually rude to the receptionist. Or someone in the elevator. Or the mail guy. Well, little do they know word travels fast especially if one of your interviewers is near the receptionist, elevator or mail guy. Per the piece by Robert Half International, a recent survey revealed that 61 percent of executives value their assistant's opinions as important regarding hiring decisions. Essentially, it never hurts to be nice. Be friendly and polite to everyone (and we do mean everyone) involved in the hiring process such as the security guard at the building's front desk and wait staff during a lunch interview. 2. Say thanks. Yes, we all know how important it is to send a thank-you note but it's worth repeating. In addition to thanking your interviewers, you should go out of your way to thank references who landed you the interview in the first place. Say thanks to people who have shared a contact, reviewed your resume for free and offered some advice. Snail mail works and so does an email. And if you're taking a contact out for lunch or coffee, why not pick up the bill? 3. Be on time. This is yet another critical component to the hiring process and another opportunity to serve as a reminder to be punctual. In addition to being on time for the interview, every other correspondence should be timely as well. As in 24 hours. This relates to answering voicemails, emails and social media messages. The piece points out, "Dragging your feet could mean a hiring manager bypasses you for another candidate or that someone who went out on a limb to help you will be less willing to do so again." 4. Turn off that mobile device. Or at least put it on vibrate. Hiring managers have indicated a significant number of job seekers have actually picked up calls during their interviews! This of course means they left them on in the first place. Just say no. Instead of being tempted to answer the call by saying, "I'm in an interview," you can simply avoid all temptations by leaving the phone in your car. And if you're in a city without an automobile, put it in a compartment in a briefcase that's not easily accessible.

Fishbowl

Got Manners? Four Interview Faux Pas to Avoid

Vicki Salemi

About

Subscriptions

Events

Publications

WORK SMARTER - LEARN, GROW AND BE INSPIRED.

Subscribe today!

Vicki Salemi