Job interview etiquette plays an extremely important
role in the decision making process for both
candidates and employers, an even more important role
than it plays among individuals. That’s because both
candidates and interviewers are asked to make a very
important decision based on an extremely limited
amount of information. As a candidate, job that
someone takes is a very important decision, whether
measured by time invested or how it impacts that
person’s future. For an employer, a hiring decision is
equally important. The employees not only require
investments of time and money, but also are the public
face of the company, and ultimately its greatest
assets. However both parties are asked to make this
decision after very little interaction, causing each
to magnify every aspect of that interaction.
For that reason, poor job interview etiquette by
either party is likely to be considered a sign of
unsuitability by the other. If a candidate fails to
shake hands or send a thank you note, it’s likely that
the interviewer will likely extend that behavior over
their whole personality, and say that that candidate
is rude and unprofessional. Likewise if an interviewer
keeps the candidate waiting excessively, the candidate
is likely to say that the company, as a whole, does
not value candidates and probably employees
sufficiently. Even if those reactions are rather
extreme and fail to take whatever unknown factors
caused those etiquette lapses, the lack of chances to
make countervailing impressions means that they will
probably stick.
More Job Interview Etiquette Advice
For candidates, job interview etiquette means showing
up on time, dressing appropriately and following the
interviewer’s lead in the interview. Allow yourself to
be led to the interviewer’s office, wait to be
directed to sit, allow the interviewer to ask
questions and respond to those questions. Shake hands
firmly upon meeting and again when leaving. Smile
often, and show that you have a sense of humor without
trying to be a comedian for the interviewer. After the
interview, get the business card for everyone that you
spoke to. Use that contact information on the card to
send each of them a quick email or note thanking them
for the time and attention.
For interviewers, job interview etiquette consists of
respecting the candidate’s time and energy. Remember
that the candidate is judging how well he or she will
be treated as an employee by his or her experiences as
a candidate. If the candidate has arrived on time, get
the interview started on time. Try to put the
candidate at ease in the interview, instead of testing
how well he or she can handle the pressure of an
interview. Remember the things that the candidate says
during their interview. Follow up on those statements
instead of simply plowing through with your set of
questions that you want to ask. After the interview,
thank the interview candidate and walk him or her to
the next destination. If it is another interview,
announce him or her to the next interviewer. If it is
out of the office, be sure to see that his or her
parking is validated.
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