Don't Be Late for the Interview - No Matter What

 

It doesn't matter if your dog died, your car broke down, or you couldn't find the right change for the bus, employers expect you to be on time for your interview - no matter what happened! According to a recent survey by Vault.com, a company that specializes in employee/employer services, 30% of employers would disqualify you if you were just 15 minutes late for an interview.

Turn Off the Cell Phone - Before You Enter the Building

Let's face it. Cell phones are so much a part of our lives now, that we forget these little devices are turned on and tuned in to us most of our waking day. However, there are still places when it is rude to have an electronic version of the “I'm Too Sexy for My Self” song ringing in your purse or pocket while you are conducting an interview. If you don't care about the job interview, keep your cell phone on and ask a friend to call you. It's a sure fired way to get eliminated.

Wear the Right Clothes - Yes, Dress for Success Is Important

 

At a time in business history when business casual can mean anything from khaki pants and a golf shirt to flip-flops and a Hawaiian skirt, it is hard to know what employers find as acceptable attire. If this is one of your first job interviews and you aren't sure about your clothes, try wearing an outfit that you would wear to, say, a funeral, or a wedding, or to church.

Over 80% of employers say candidates do not wear appropriate clothes to their job interviews. If an employer is wondering what the rest of your tattoo looks like under your shirt instead of listening to you tell them how great you are with Excel spreadsheets, the interview may be over before it starts. Most employers want to know you that will fit in to their company image and culture. Wearing the right clothes is an important aspect that shouldn't be taken lightly in an interviewing process. It's just good manners and shows respect when you wear your “Sunday going to meeting”clothes to your interview.

Thank the Employer for the Interview - Even If You Didn't Get the Job

Sending a thank you note, either by snail mail or, better yet, through an e-mail, helps the employer remember you. Although most employers wouldn't reject you for a job based on whether or not they receive a thank you note, this gesture just shows them that you know business etiquette and how to handle yourself in the marketplace. If you don't get that particular job, an employer might remember your good manners and the next opening in their company might be yours.

Good manners are getting harder and harder to find in our techno-changing world. As Susan Dunn, founder of EQ Alive, said in an article on manners, “all cultures have rules and if you violate them, you will be excluded.” This holds true for our society as a whole and especially in the American business world as well. If you really want a good job, I mean, really want a good job, take the time to learn more about business and social etiquette. It might mean the difference between a chance to become a hamburger flipper or the opportunity to become so much more.