INTERVIEW ETIQUETTE

BY:DR. RANI KOMAL LATA

WHAT IS ETIQUETTE ?

Etiquette is a code of polite conduct.

1. GREET YOUR INTERVIEWERS AS MS. OR MR.

• Always greet by last name• It shows respect

2. MAKE SURE YOUR CELL PHONE IS OFF AND NOT EVEN ON VIBRATE

• Look people in the eye and smille.• Body language is an extremely important detail of proper

job interview etiquette.• Communication experts tell us that 80% of our

communication with others is non-verbal.• One of the best ways to connect with people and build trust

is to look them in the eye.

3. BODY LANGUAGE

• Eye contact is also important during a group interview.• Most people when they're under pressure, don't smile, and

appear nervous and lacking in confidence.• It's amazing how something as simple as a smile can

project confidence and leadership...even if you're a nervous wreck

PULL IN

4. PROPER HANDSHAKE

FIRM HANDSHAKE

• This is another non-verbal way to connect with people.• It seems ludicrous to be judged negatively by a limp

handshake, but people do it all the time.• Even so , one should be careful with this advice.• Handshake should not be too firm--especially if a man is

shaking hands with a woman.• Try to avoid "The Bone Crusher“.

TWO HANDED HANDSHAKE BONE CRUNCHER

PALM PINCH LIMP FISH

5. LET THE COMPANY TAKE THE LEAD DURING YOUR INTERVIEW

• Sometimes when your interviewer is soft spoken or laid back you • may feel the urge to keep things moving. So, you start taking back • some control and the next thing you know, you're rambling.• Resist this. Let the employer run the show.

• If there are periods of silence...just sit there in the silence. If you are well prepared for your interview, relax, you have nothing to worry about.

• One of the most common interviewing mistakes is talking too much. It's easy to ramble and over explain things if your interview is a person of few words and there are periods of silence

6. DON'T STEP ON THE LAST 3 WORDS OF SOMEONE'S CONVERSATION

• When we talk with someone, often times they will step on the last 2-3 words of my sentence and talk over me without extending to me the courtesy of finishing my sentence.

• Reporters and TV talk show hosts do it all the time. It is especially prevalent among Type A personalities.

ADIVICE

• Let your interviewer finish making their point, pause for 1-2 seconds; then, respond to their question or add to the conversation.

7. SIT UP STRAIGHT AND LEAN SLIGHTLY FORWARD

• Sitting up straight and leaning slightly forward sends the following non-verbal signal: I'm listening intently. I'm interested in what you have to say. I have a lot of energy and I'm ready to go to work.

8. TAKE NOTES DURING YOUR INTERVIEW

•Bring a professional looking binder with you so you can jot down a few notes during your interview.

•This conveys a sincere interest in what your interviewers have to say.

•Gives you a chance to jot down a question to ask at the appropriate time.

9. BE ON TIME

• Don’t be late for your interview• Your first test will be to see if you show

up on time.• Take into account traffic flow for that

time of day, construction detours, or anything else that could delay you.

10. YOUR INTERVIEW IS NOT OVER UNTIL YOU DRIVE DOWN THE ROAD• People can do some pretty outrageous things like :o spitting, o lighting up a cigarette, o yapping on their cell phones for 20 minutes while leaning

on their car• So, stay in professional mode until you are out of sight.