For candidates, job interview etiquette denotes showing up on time, dressing appropriately and strictly adhering to interviewer's leads.
Here are some of the conventions of the etiquette for job interview:
Your Punctuality
Punctuality is paramount and is a key component in job interview etiquette. Your non-adherence to the appointed interview time will almost certainly jeopardize your chances of success in getting the job. Organizations and managements give a lot of importance to time schedules and work accomplishments within the time limits. Your late arrival for the interview will disturb the interview timings of other aspirants and that will be a definite setback for your job goals. So, you have to ensure punctuality at any cost. If, by chance, your arrival is delayed due to unforeseen circumstances, you should inform and request the interviewing team a time extension. So, prepare adequately to arrive before time.
Importance of Initial Impact
The initial impact that you create in the interview room will carry its influence throughout the interview. You may start with a warm hand-shake, with just a little squeezing of the hand of the interviewer. Do not offer a limp hand. And do not shake the hand vigorously. If you can recognize their names, formally address them while shaking their hands. If you do not know their names, just do not bother. A simple 'hello' will do. Do not offer shaky hands or sweaty palms.
Make Yourself Comfortable
Now, after having met the team of interviewers, you try to relax. It is important. It will help you ease your nerves and also gives an opportunity to assess the interviewers. Try to sit straight with your arms rested on arm-rests. You may lean forward a bit while listening to the interviewer. It will give the feeling of attentiveness. If there are no arm-rests, use the table to rest your arms. Do not stretch your hands completely on to the table. Stretch them just enough to give some base to your hands and wrists. Do not bend forward or droop. Well, if there is no table in front of you, just cross your legs and place your clasped palms on your crossed legs.
Respond to Pleasantries
You have to respond positively to initial dialogue openers. The initial small talk is like testing the waters. Be pleasant in responding to nice inquiries and keep your responses short without launching into full-scale narrations. You may add some encouraging sound bytes about the ambiance of the premises, etc.
Follow the Interviewer
Let the interviewer set the pace and style of the proceedings. Do not take a chair unless you are invited to take it. Always look at the interviewer straight, but do not stare. While responding to a query, you should make it a point to look at others also. This will give you comfort when you face them later in the interview. Let the interviewer lead you to topics and situations. Do not show your prowess unless called for.
Certain Don'ts
Job interview etiquette consists of certain don'ts also. These are:
Do not get into embarrassing situations: You have to prepare yourself thoroughly about the organization you are attending an interview for, about your job position in it, your actual responsibilities before you attend the job interview. If you do not know about a particular aspect, boldly say so. Do not bluff and do not lie.
Do not talk ill of your past employers: Do not pass adverse remarks about previous organizations, even if you have had bad experiences with them.
Do not boast: Ego trips are not possible in attending interviews. Even you feel hurt by someone's behavior at the interview, just ignore it as if nothing has happened. Hurting you may not be their intention, but may be part of their psychological assessment of the job aspirant.
