InterviewEtiquette

Career management

-Group 8Sneha Kamath(23)

Cyriano Simoes(49)Andrea Dsouza(15)

Chaitanya Joshi(21)Shoyab Barudwala(06)

Arif Jannati(29)

Interview EtiquetteA job interview is a process in which a potential employee is evaluated by

an employer for prospective employment in their company, organization,

or firm. During this process, the employer hopes to determine whether or

not the applicant is suitable for the job.

Therefore Etiquette at an interview is the very important as it is the

first impression that the company \interviewer has of the interviewee.

The major things to keep in mind during an interview:

Time Keeping: Be on time. Don't give the interviewer reason to wonder if

you have a pattern of tardiness before you even get into the interview

room! Being early is the ideal situation for you and the interviewer as you

may be required to complete some forms before the actual interview,

arriving early gives you the opportunity to take care of this without

running into a time crunch.

Image: Cover tattoos and remove piercings that are non-traditional; such as

your ears. A job interview may not be the best place to exhibit your body

art! Remember, you are making a first impression and your interviewers may

be a bit more conservative than you are. Unfortunately a tattoo that says

'Biker Babe' or 'Scarface' may not give an impression of professionalism to

the interviewers. Whether they are designs or words, if possible keep your

tattoos covered. As a human being you are granted the right to freedom of

expression, however, non-traditional piercings, whether they be in your

eyebrow, nose, lip or tongue do not shout professionalism when in a job

interview. It is always wise to assume that your interviewer and possibly

soon to be colleague or boss is not as cool as you are, leave the body

expressions to later in the day when you have got to know everyone.

Respect: Show respect and be polite with everyone you meet as you don't

know who is responsible for hiring and firing, the interviewer may not have

the overall decision on whether to offer you the job or not.

Be prepared: Make sure that you have a pen and paper with you at your

interview, more than likely you will not have to write anything down but on

the odd occasion that you do, the last thing you need is the embarrassment

of asking your interviewer for a pen and paper. Being unprepared gives the

impression that you are unorganized.

Do your research: Covering the background of the company you are having the

interview with gives the impression that you are not just going from one

job interview to another and have an interest in the company and the

position being offered. Asking questions about the company or job could

well put you in good stead.

Dressing: Your job interview should be treated as a formal affair and you

should dress for this. Men: Wear a suit and tie, or shirt and tie with

slacks if you don't have a suit. Women: Wear a business suit, blouse and

skirt, with sensible shoes. Try not to be too flashy or revealing.

Grooming: Along with your image you should make sure you are well groomed,

ensure your hair looks nice and is clean, do not have dirt under your

fingernails! Iron your clothes, you do not want to give the impression you

leap out of bed 10 minutes before work leaving no time spare to groom

yourself, this also shows laziness. Men should appear cleanly shaven or if

you have a beard - trim it.

Turn off your Cell phone: You must not have your phone switched on in an

interview, it is extremely rude to have that ringing while you are in the

middle of an interview, if you really cannot switch it off then at least

put it on vibrate, so long as it does not distract you or the interviewer. 

Greetings: We mentioned your politeness earlier but minding your Ps & Qs

should also be considered. Shake hands with everyone you meet, smile and be

polite. Do the same when you are ready to leave and thank them for their

time, you could even consider a brief thank you note soon after the

interview, and not many applicants would do this so this is another way to

stand out in the crowd.

Another important thing is what your clothes say about

you?

In an interview your attire plays a supporting role.

Your conduct, your interpersonal skills and your ability to articulate

intelligent and well thought out responses to questions are the most

important elements.

Appropriate attire supports your image as a person who takes the

interview process seriously and understands the nature of the industry

in which you are trying to become employed.

Be aware that in some industries, customer contact and image presented

to the customer is critical. In such industries, your attire will be

judged more critically.

Your attire should be noticed as being appropriate and well-fitting,

but it should not take center stage.

If you are primarily remembered for your interview attire, this is

probably because you made an error in judgment!

Dressing nicely and appropriately is a compliment to the person you

meet, so if in doubt, err on the side of dressing better than you

might need to.

Even if you are aware that employees of an organization dress casually

on the job, dress up for the interview unless you are specifically

told otherwise by the employer.

Never confuse an interview or business function with a social event.

Don't dress for a party or a date.

Not every contact with an employer requires interview attire. For some

occasions business casual is appropriate.

Changes in fashion may change some things, like the width of lapels,

the cut of pants, or the colors of blouses available in the stores.

Basic professional attire does not change with the whims of fashion. A

good suit should last five to ten years, depending on its quality, how

hard you wear it, how well you care for it, and if it continues to fit

you well. You can express fashion's whims in your off-the-job clothes,

and to some extent in your accessories.

Interview attire guidelines for men and women

Suit: 

A two piece matched suit is always the best and safest choice.

What if the JOB is in a NON-SUIT-wearing WORK ENVIRONMENT: 

Even if you would or could wear jeans on the job, or the work environment

is outdoors and very non-suit, wearing a suit to the interview shows you

take the interview seriously as a professional meeting. Dressing well is a

compliment to the person(s) with whom you meet. If you think the industry

in which you're interviewing would frown on a suit, or the interview will

involve going to a work site where a suit would be inappropriate, look for

advice through professional organizations, your professors who have been

employed in that industry, and/or by asking the employer directly and

politely. One alternative is to wear pressed pants (like khakis) and a dark

jacket; less formal than a suit, but still business-appropriate for both

men and women.

Conservative colors / fabric: 

Navy, dark gray (and black for women) — are safe.

Other color trends may come and go; avoid the extremes. 

Solids or very subtle weave patterns or plaids (the kind that look solid

across a room) are safest. 

Wool, wool blends, or other good quality natural and synthetic fibers, are

generally the best fabrics in all seasons. Avoid lower quality acetate /

rayon blends.

Cost / quality: 

You are not expected to be able to afford the same clothing as a corporate

CEO. Do invest in quality that will look appropriate during your first two

or three years on the job. One good quality suit is sufficient for a job

search if that is all your budget allows. You can vary your shirt/blouse

and tie/accessories.

Details: 

Everything should be clean and well pressed. 

Carefully inspect clothes for tags, dangling threads, etc.

Additional interview attire specifics for men

Suit: 

A two-piece matched suit is always the best and safest choice. Don't

combine a suit jacket with pants that don't match. 

Conservative colors / fabric: 

Navy and dark gray are safe and are the most conservative for men. Black

for men was once considered severe or overly formal, and may still be

considered so in very conservative industries, although it is commonly worn

by many. Other color trends may come and go; avoid the extremes. Choose a

solid or very subtle weave pattern or plaid (the kind that look solid

across a room). Wool, wool blends, or very high quality natural and

synthetic fiber blends are acceptable fabrics for a conservative men's

suit.

Cost / quality: 

You are not expected to be able to afford the same clothing as a corporate

CEO. Do invest in quality that will look appropriate during your first two

or three years on the job. One good quality suit is sufficient for a job

search if that is all your budget allows. You can vary your shirt and tie.

Ties: 

Tie styles come and go. Select good quality silk ties. Avoid fashion

extremes, like character ties, in interviews. 

Notice what men in your industry wear on the job, at career fairs, at

information sessions, when they meet with clients.

Shirts: 

Long-sleeved shirts, even in summer. Choose white or light blue solid, or

conservative stripes. A dark shirt might be acceptable in a non-

conservative industry. Avoid being trendy.

Socks: 

Dark socks, mid-calf length so no skin is visible when you sit down.

Shoes: 

Leather, lace-up or slip-on business shoes, preferably black or cordovan.

Invest in a good pair; even if you don't wear them daily on the job, you'll

need them for other occasions and you should expect to get lots of years

out of good shoes.

Belt: 

Black or cordovan leather, to match your shoes.

Facial hair: 

If worn, should be well-groomed. Observe men in your industry if you are

unsure what's appropriate or are considering changing your look.

Jewelry: 

Wear a conservative watch. If you choose to wear other jewelry, be

conservative. Removing earrings is safest. For conservative industries,

don't wear earrings. Observe other men in your industry to see what is

acceptable.

Details: 

Everything should be clean and well pressed. Suits typically have tacking

stitches to hold vents — on the jacket back and on sleeves — in place

before the garment is purchased. Cut them off if your retailer / tailor

doesn't. And that tag stitched on the outside of your sleeve is not meant

to stay there like a Tommy Hilfiger label — cut it off! Carefully inspect

clothes dangling threads, etc.

Additional interview attire specifics for women

Don't confuse club attire with business attire. If you would wear it to a

club, you probably shouldn't wear it in a business environment.

Suit: 

Wear a two-piece matched suit. 

Suit - pants / skirts: 

Tailored pants suits are appropriate for women. Pants suits can be an

excellent choice for site visits, particularly if the visit involves

getting in and out of vehicles and/or the site is (or includes) a

manufacturing plant or industrial facility. If you wear pants, they should

be creased and tailored, not tight or flowing. If you are pursuing a

conservative industry and are in doubt, observe well dressed women in your

industry on the job, at career fairs, at information sessions, etc.

Skirt lengths: 

Much of what you see on television shows that masquerades for professional

attire is actually inappropriate for a work environment. Your skirt should

cover your thighs when you are seated. Showing a lot of thigh makes you

look naive at best, foolish at worst. A skirt that ends at the knee when

you're standing looks chic and professional. Longer skirts are professional

too; just make sure they are narrow enough not to be billowing, but not so

narrow that you can't climb stairs comfortably. Don't purchase a skirt or

decide on a hem length until you sit in the skirt facing a mirror. That's

what your interviewer will see. Ask yourself whether it will be distracting

or reinforce your image as a person who looks appropriate for a business

environment or gathering. High slits in skirts are not appropriate. A small

back, center slit in a knee-length skirt is appropriate. On a calf length

skirt, a slit to the knee to facilitate walking and stair climbing is

appropriate.

Color / fabric: 

Navy, dark gray, brown and black are safe. Other color trends may come and

go; avoid the extremes. Women generally have more options with suit color

than men. For example, while a women could look conservative in a slate

blue or light gray suit, these colors would be inappropriate for men.

Choose a solid or very subtle weave pattern or plaid (the type that looks

solid across a room). Wool, wool blends, and high quality blends and

synthetics are appropriate for women's suiting.

Shirt / sweaters: 

Underneath the suit jacket, wear a tailored blouse in a color or small

print that coordinates nicely with your suit. A fine gauge, good quality

knit shell is also appropriate underneath your suit jacket. Don't show

cleavage. (Remember that television shows are trying to attract viewers,

and don't represent reality of the professional environment.)

Jewelry / accessories: 

Wear a conservative watch. Jewelry and scarf styles come and go. Keep your

choices simple and leaning toward conservative. Avoid extremes of style and

color. If your industry is creative, you may have more flexibility than

someone pursuing a conservative industry.

Cosmetics: 

Keep makeup conservative. A little is usually better than none for a

polished look.  Nails should be clean and well groomed. Avoid extremes of

nail length and polish color, especially in conservative industries.

Shoes: 

Should be leather or fabric / micro fiber. Shoe styles and heel heights

come and go. Choose closed-toe pumps. Regardless of what is in style, avoid

extremes; no stilettos or chunky platforms. Make certain you can walk

comfortably in your shoes; hobbling in uncomfortable shoes does not convey

a professional appearance.

Hosiery: 

Should be plainly styled (no patterns), sheer is most conservative (not

opaque), and in neutral colors complementing your suit. Avoid high contrast

between your suit and hosiery color.

Purse / bag: 

If you carry a purse, keep it small and simple, especially if you also

carry a briefcase.  Purse color should coordinate with your shoes. You may

choose to carry a small briefcase or business-like tote bag in place of a

purse. Leather is the best choice for briefcases; micro fiber or fine

wovens are also acceptable. Avoid purses that look like beach/pool totes,

partyish, or little-girlish.

Grooming tips for everyone

Hair: 

Should be clean and neat.

Shoes: 

Should be in polished condition. Make sure heels are not worn.

Details: 

No missing buttons, no lint; and don't forget to remove external tags and

tacking stitches from new clothes.

Hands: 

Clean fingernails.

Fit: 

Clothes should be clean, neatly pressed, and fit properly.

Smell: 

Perfume or cologne should be used sparingly or not at all. Remember that

some people have allergies/sensitivities; you'd hate for that to derail an

interview. No odors in clothes. Don't smell like smoke.

Pad folios:

Preferred over a bulky briefcase. A small briefcase is also appropriate.

But if you have no reason to carry a briefcase, don't; you risk looking

silly.

Book bags: 

Leave it at home for an on-site interview. For an on-campus interview, you

can leave it in the waiting area.

Use Body Language for a Successful Job Interview

During the interview, the person(s) conducting the meeting will be looking,

as well as listening. Sometimes, what is not said speaks louder than the

actual spoken words. Therefore, it is extremely important to pay attention

to the following details:

Clothing 

The Handshake 

Feet Positioning 

Seating 

Arm Position 

Space between you and the Interviewer 

Eye Contact

In fact, if the position is truly desirable, using body language for a

successful job interview is worth practicing.

*Clothing

It is vital to wear something physically and emotionally comfortable.

People who feel good about how they look tend to experience a more

successful job interview. Of course, it is also important to dress

appropriately for the appointment. While some individuals feel at ease in

their best bathrobe and slippers, or shorts and a t-shirt, looking like a

future employee of the company is a better plan.

* The Handshake

Something as seemingly simple as the handshake can ultimately set the tone

of a successful job interview. In general, it's best to wait for the person

conducting the interview to offer his/her hand first. When a hand is

extended in greeting, grasp the entire hand firmly and palm up, so not to

appear aggressive.

* Feet Positioning

Sitting up straight, with feet planted firmly on the floor, is the best

posture for a successful job interview. Women should avoid crossing their

legs, and men should not sit with their legs too far apart. Casually

sitting with ankle resting on the knee is definitely taboo.

* Seating

The best interview tips suggest waiting until a seat is offered by the

interviewer. In the event a person is left standing, it is important to ask

which seat to take. Nevertheless, it is a good idea to sit where all

participants of the meeting are clearly visible.

* Arm Position

Amazingly, one of the most coveted interviewing tips regards arm position

during the meeting. Typically, with so much at stake, people tend to have

trouble knowing what to do with their arms and hands. So, the best rule of

thumb is basically to do nothing. Relax. Allow the arms and hands to rest

naturally in the lap. Of course, animated hand gestures while speaking is

still a good idea, as long as it is not overdone.

* Space between you and the Interviewer

While it shows an interest in the conversation to lean slightly forward,

it's never a good idea to crowd personal space. Job interview success often

depends on appearances. So, it is vital not to give the perception of being

aggressive. Allow 30-36 inches of space between the interview participants.

However, leaning into the conversation, with enthusiasm for the potential

position, is a great attribute.

* Eye Contact

Finally, maintaining eye contact is vital to a successful job interview.

When addressing and individual, look him/her straight in the eye. It

conveys honesty and a straightforward personality, which is a much desired

trait in good employees.

In short, preparing for a job is much more than showing up on time and

having the right answers. Your body language often speaks louder than

your words. Use it for a successful job interview.

Interview DO’s and DONT’s

DO’s

Dress appropriately for the industry; err on the side of being

conservative to show you take the interview seriously. Your personal

grooming and cleanliness should be impeccable.

Know the exact time and location of your interview; know how long it

takes to get there, park, find a rest room to freshen up, etc.

Arrive early; 10 minutes prior to the interview start time.

Treat other people you encounter with courtesy and respect. Their

opinions of you might be solicited during hiring decisions.

Offer a firm handshake, make eye contact, and have a friendly

expression when you are greeted by your interviewer.

Listen to be sure you understand your interviewer's name and the

correct pronunciation.

Even when your interviewer gives you a first and last name, address

your interviewer by title (Ms., Mr., Dr.) and last name, until invited

to do otherwise.

Maintain good eye contact during the interview.

Sit still in your seat; avoid fidgeting and slouching.

Respond to questions and back up your statements about yourself with

specific examples whenever possible.

Ask for clarification if you don't understand a question. 

Be thorough in your responses, while being concise in your wording.

Be honest and be yourself — your best professional self.  Dishonesty

gets discovered and is grounds for withdrawing job offers and for

firing. You want a good match between yourself and your employer. If

you get hired by acting like someone other than yourself, you and your

employer will both be unhappy.

Treat the interview seriously and as though you are truly interested

in the employer and the opportunity presented.

Exhibit a positive attitude. The interviewer is evaluating you as a

potential co-worker. Behave like someone you would want to work with.

Have intelligent questions prepared to ask the interviewer. Having

done your research about the employer in advance, ask questions which

you did not find answered in your research.

Evaluate the interviewer and the organization s/he represents. An

interview is a two-way street. Conduct yourself cordially and

respectfully, while thinking critically about the way you are treated

and the values and priorities of the organization.

Do expect to be treated appropriately. If you believe you were treated

inappropriately or asked questions that were inappropriate or made you

uncomfortable, discuss this with a Career Services advisor or the

director.

Make sure you understand the employer's next step in the hiring

process; know when and from whom you should expect to hear next. Know

what action you are expected to take next, if any.

When the interviewer concludes the interview, offer a firm

handshake and make eye contact. Depart gracefully.

After the interview, make notes right away so you don't forget

critical details.

Write a thank-you letter to your interviewer promptly.

DONT’s

Don't make excuses. Take responsibility for your decisions and your

actions.

Don't make negative comments about previous employers or professors

(or others).

Don't falsify application materials or answers to interview

questions. Don't treat the interview casually, as if you are just

shopping around or doing the interview for practice. This is an

insult to the interviewer and to the organization.

Don't give the impression that you are only interested in an

organization because of its geographic location.

Don't give the impression you are only interested in salary; don't

ask about salary and benefits issues until the subject is brought up

by your interviewer.

Don't act as though you would take any job or are desperate for

employment.

Don't be unprepared for typical interview questions. You may not be

asked all of them in every interview, but being unprepared looks

foolish.

A job search can be hard work and involve frustrations; don't

exhibit frustrations or a negative attitude in an interview.

Don't go to extremes with your posture; don't slouch, and don't sit

rigidly on the edge of your chair.

Don't assume that a female interviewer is "Mrs." or "Miss." Address

her as "Ms." unless told otherwise. (If she has a Ph.D. or other

doctoral degree or medical degree, use "Dr. [lastname]" just as you

would with a male interviewer. Marital status of anyone, male or

female, is irrelevant to the purpose of the interview.

Don't chew gum or smell like smoke.

Don't allow your cell phone to sound during the interview. (If it

does, apologize quickly and ignore it.) Don't take a cell phone

call. Don't look at a text message.

Don't take your parents, your pet (an assistance animal is not a pet

in this circumstance), spouse, fiance, friends or enemies to an

interview. If you are not grown up and independent enough to attend

an interview alone, you're insufficiently grown up and independent

for a job. (They can certainly visit your new city, at their own

expense, but cannot attend your interview.)

THANK-YOU