Most Job Hunters Fail at Interview Etiquette

An often unmentioned, but significant reason many people ruin their chances in the job interview is they have no Interview Etiquette, says America’s top career coach Robin Ryan. Today appearance counts more than ever with employers, noted the author of the interview bestseller, 60 Seconds & You’re Hired! (Penguin).  “Sloppy, sexy, sluttish, wrinkled or filthy clothes have no place at work and certainly are the wrong image for any job interview,” said Ryan. Major offenders are NOT just the new grads or twenty-somethings. “Too many people – young and old alike – have lost touch with what is appropriate business dress. Sloppy and baggy, may be comfortable but they certainly aren’t professional.” Says Ryan. “You need to pay close attention to your personal brand image – AKA your attire & presentation – or the new job or promotion is going to go to someone else.”  

Webster’s Dictionary, defines etiquette as: "The manners established by convention as acceptable or required in society & business."  Employers make snap decisions, warns Ryan. If you are uncertain of the proper image, manners, and behavior to display to employers in an interview and want a competitive edge over other candidate, here are some of Ryan’s useful guidelines:

• Dress  UP!  Skip the spandex, nose rings, low neckline or see-through tops, blue hair, big baggy tops, t-shirts with obscenities on them, stilettos, low-rider jeans, micro mini-skirts, or underwear as outerwear. Dress well, in clean clothes, and be conservative -- typically in dress pants and dress shirts or pants suit for women, for professional, managers & executives  a business suit is the right choice. Shine your shoes. Comb hair.  Use makeup & cologne sparingly.

• Improve your social interactions.  Practice your handshake, eye contact, non verbal communication. Offer a firm handshake.  Nothing creates a poorer impression than a weak, couple-of-fingers handshake. Eye contact is crucial and conveys that you and your message are believable. Practice to maintain it throughout the interview.  Display some enthusiasm for the job. Use vocal intonations to make your point so you’ll seem personable. A sincere smile sends a warm, confident message. Use people’s names especially when you are introduced to the interviewer(s) and also as you depart.

• Arrive on time - There is no exception to this rule. Many employers feel that if you're late for the interview, you may never show up for your job.  Get the directions, know how to get there, and give yourself more than enough time so that you can arrive early. 

• Display your Manners during Meals Don’t say things that hurt their candidacy.  This is still an interview and you are being evaluated continually.  Select an entrée that is easy to eat, no messy foods.  Avoid alcohol.  If you must drink, nurse something very slowly, leaving it half touched.  You need to remain sharp. Never monopolize the conversation, never curse, or make crude jokes.  Employers are evaluating your communication skills and how you would interact at company functions or client meetings.  Throughout the meal, continually sell yourself and your ability to do the job.

• Don’t babble. Practice answer the interview questions so you can concisely offer examples of past accomplishments or explanations always keeping your answers to 60 seconds or less. Do inspire confidence that you can do the job. Interviews are not the time to be humble and meek. 

• Bragging or lying are taboo. Selling yourself effectively means substantiating your claims.  Most employers WILL check out your claims and many a candidate who deceived to get hired was surprised when they were later caught and fired! Just don’t do it.

• Always write a hand-written your thank you note. Forget sending the easily forgotten email. A handwritten  thank you note can tip the hand in your favor, if the decision is between you and someone else.  Use a note card with the words "thank you" grazing the card's opening page in a professional business-like style.  Jot down a few lines, thanking them for the opportunity and reiterating a strength or two you would bring as a "valuable contributor to their team."   Mail it within 24 hours.

© Copyright 2008 Robin Ryan. All rights reserved.

Need more assistance?  Robin is available to help you achieve your goals and dreams with individual career counseling. Click here to learn more.

Robin Ryan has appeared on Oprah and Dr. Phil and is considered to be America’s top career coach. Robin has a busy career counseling practice providing individual career coaching, resume writing services, interview preparation, salary negotiations, and outplacement to clients nationwide. She is the best-selling author of : "60 Seconds & You're Hired!," "Soaring On Your Strengths," "What to Do With the Rest of Your Life," "Winning Resumes," and "Winning Cover Letters." A dynamic national speaker, Robin has spoken to over 1200 audiences sharing her insights on how to improve their lives and obtain greater success. Contact Robin at: 425.226.0414, or email: robin@robinryan.com, or visit her website: http://www.robinryan.com

Reprints release: Newspapers, magazines, online websites are granted permission to reprint this in part or whole but are required to credit the author including author's bio, book credits, and include author's website information (with link if online); PLUS email author at robin@robinryan.com and state when and where reprint publication will occur. Questions: contact author at robin@robinryan.com or 425.226.0414.