Office Interview Etiquette – Impress Employers and Get the Job

 

Article brought to you by:

When the economy is struggling, it can be even more difficult to land a job. It is important to be prepared for a job interview whether you are just graduating from college, or you are a seasoned worker with many years of experience under your belt. A solid understand of interview etiquette will help you walk away from the interview knowing that you did your best. You want to make a good impression so that they will hire you for the job. These job interview etiquette tips will help you stand out from the crowd so you can land your dream job.

Before the Interview

During an office interview, first impressions matter. It is important that you make a good impression the moment you walk through the door. This means that you need to dress professionally for your interview, no matter where you are interviewing. A suit is generally a good idea for an interview, especially in the professional work place. Another key factor is choosing the right shoes. Interviewers can tell how serious about the job you are by how much time you took to make yourself appear professional. Make sure your shoes are polished with no scuff marks, and that you are dressed perfectly.

Preparing for the Interview

Once you have landed a job interview, it is a good idea to research the company and the department that you will be working in. The Internet makes it easier to find information on the projects being completed, ad campaigns that the business runs, and even information on the people who are interviewing you. When you set up the interview, it is okay to ask the names of the people who will be in the office interview. You can look up their profiles on LinkedIn and see if you have any similar interests or mutual acquaintances to help you make a connection. Additionally, come up with a list of questions to ask about the company. You may also want to prepare a portfolio for the interview that showcases your recent work and training. The information you include in your portfolio should be guided by your industry standards. It may include an outline of projects you have worked on, sales numbers or company growth you have helped to build at your current position.

During the Interview

It is important to maintain your composure during the interview. Make sure that you carefully follow job interview etiquette throughout the entire interview. This means you should greet the person interviewing you with a firm handshake. You need to maintain proper eye contact, and if you are interviewing a group, you will need to be sure to look each person in the eye. Be sure to ask questions about the information that they give you, and to use people's names throughout the interview. Talk about the strengths of the company and how you can help the company grow. If you are well prepared with background information on the company, and talk about specific projects or initiatives you can help on, you will make a good impression. If you have lunch or dinner interview, you need to make sure that can handle the proper etiquette. Generally, you start by working your way in on your utensils. If you are in doubt, follow the lead of the person you are eating with. Wait to eat until he takes the first bite. This advice can help you through most difficult etiquette situations.

After the Interview

One of the key points of interview etiquette is how you handle yourself after the interview is complete. A thank you card to each member of the interviewing committee will help you stand out from the crowd. You can do this through email, but following up with a card sent through the mail will really help. Be sure to personalize the thank you card with something that happened during the interview. You can prepare the thank you cards with addresses before you go into your interview and mail them that same day. It is also important to follow up as needed. As you leave the interview, ask when you should expect to hear back about the job. Then you will have a clear window of when it is acceptable to place one phone call about the job. This way you know that you are not calling too soon or hassling anyone.

Related Links:

Office Chairs, Seats & Stools

Desks, Tables & Workstations

Ergonomic Office Furniture