Interview Etiquette You Should Know

How you behave on your interview is just as important as being qualified for the job. We’ve had so many candidates who appear great on paper but fail to acknowledge simple social graces that are an important part of making a solid first impression. Preparing for interviews is about more than checking off boxes on a job description and researching the company. To truly ACE an interview, you have to mind your manners and abide by some basic interview etiquette in order to seal the deal:

1. If you must cancel or reschedule, don’t wait until the last minute
If something unforeseen (and last minute) will prevent you from making your appointment, opt for a phone call over an email. Apologize, explain what happened with as little drama as possible, and ask to reschedule. Aside from car trouble, accidents, and family emergencies, people who ask to reschedule interviews at the very last minute are not usually seen in a favorable light.

2. Dress the Part
Many offices have a casual dress policy these days, but interviewing is still a formal process and we recommend dressing up—which means a suit. Unless you’re specifically told not to wear a suit, play it safe and dress up. This sends a message about your level of professionalism and shows that you’re taking the opportunity seriously.

3. Arrive a little bit early—but just a little bit
There is such a thing as arriving too early for an interview. We’ve had people come in to our office over an hour early for an interview. You may think arriving too early isn’t a big deal, but it can be a bit disruptive to other people in the office and it sends a message that your planning skills could be better. If you arrive more than 20 minutes before your interview time, just wait for a little bit before you go inside. An ideal time to arrive is 10 minutes ahead of your scheduled appointment.

4. Be kind to EVERYONE you encounter
Everyone you meet is forming an opinion of you—and you want those opinions to be positive whether they come from the receptionist, security guard, or the CEO. Be kind and gracious to everyone you meet. Unexpected reports of your attitude, manners, and overall demeanor may come from surprising places.

5. Stand Up
Stand up when someone enters the room and shake hands while standing. It’s also polite to wait until your interviewer takes a seat before you take a seat. This is a sign of respect and it demonstrates dignity and decorum that will help you make a great first impression.

6. Make Eye Contact
Look at people when you speak to them. If you’re naturally more of an introvert or unusually nervous, practice with a friend or family member. Eye contact plays a big part in connecting with people. A successful interview requires you to build rapport and establish a connection with your interviewer.

7. Demonstrate your interest in the role
There are many ways to show employers that you’re interested in the job and this is a vital part of interviewing. The most obvious way to do this is to go in to the interview prepared by researching the company, employees, and job description ahead of time. Tell them why you want to work for them and how you’ll add value. If they don’t feel your interest and enthusiasm, it will be a short interview.

8. Ask about next steps
Asking about next steps in the interview process is a natural way to end a conversation and most people expect that you’ll ask about this. If you don’t, it sends a message that you’re not that interested in the position. If you make your interest clear, your interviewer won't be left feeling confused and will be likely to return the favor.

9. Closing Handshakes
Guess what—you get to bring out your handshake twice in interviews. You shake once when you meet, and again when you leave as you thank your interviewer for taking the time to meet with you. Just like asking about next steps, the closing handshake is expected and it’s a signal of gratitude and professionalism.

10. Send a thank you note that’s personal
Thank you notes are alive and well, and you should be sending them. These notes don’t have to be long, but they should be specific and sincere. If you’ve met with multiple people, send a note to each one separately and reference something that you spoke about during your conversation. Emails are fine too, but do your best to send your notes/emails out quickly—ideally within a few hours of the interview. This small gesture can earn you big points and can give you an edge over your competition.

Good luck!