In a world where the Bureau of Labor Statistics
reported a 9.1 percent unemployment rate in
August, one might think that every job candidate
would display proper interview etiquette. After
all, competition for employment is at an
all-time high. However, many people arrive for
an interview unprepared to fulfill professional
expectations of the process. For those fortunate
enough to land an interview, there are a few
rules you can follow to help avoid common
interview pitfalls.
Micki Holliday, director of career services at
Brown Mackie College - Kansas City, works daily
to provide students and alumni with career and
employment assistance, and to expand the
college's network of professional externship
sites. She often speaks with recruiters and
human resources experts to initiate business
affiliations and request feedback on interview
performance. This professional interaction
offers insight into expectations of interview
behavior. Here, she outlines a few simple rules
to help ensure you make the most of every
interview opportunity.
Arrive on time
Arriving late for an interview does not bode
well for your claims of responsibility. In fact,
Holliday recommends making a dry run from your
home to the job site at the same time of day you
are to be there.
"This allows you to gauge traffic flow and
parking availability. You'll find out if you
should give yourself extra time on the day of
the interview," Holliday says.
Wear appropriate business attire
"What you wear to an interview factors in to the
impression you make," says Holliday. "It is
important to dress business appropriate." It may
not be appropriate to wear a suit and tie for
every interview, as some positions do not
require this formality. However, if wearing a
tie to an interview, career website cvtips.com
recommends choosing one that is darker than your
suit.
Rule No. 1 for the ladies? No revealing
blouses. "Don't show one little bit of
cleavage," Holiday says. "Some companies may
refuse to proceed with an interview. They want
to steer clear of any possibility of a sexual
harassment lawsuit."
Shoes are every bit as important as clothes.
"Recruiters look at shoes. If they're dirty,
scuffed, and unpolished, it's a sign that the
candidate is not attentive to his or her own
professionalism," Holliday says.
Don't smell like smoke
"Many different employers have told me that
smokers do not get top priority," Holliday says.
Workers who take smoke breaks are less
productive than their counterparts are, and in
general, smokers cost employers more in health
care. A study by the American Lung Association
quantifies the cost of lost productivity and
health care expenditures, in addition to costs
related to premature deaths. Total cost to the
U.S. economy each year? More than $3 billion.
"As more and more businesses prohibit smoking
both inside and outside of the building, smoking
is a growing issue in the workplace," she adds.
Forbes.com concurs with this advice, adding that
the smell of smoke connotes irresponsibility.
Limit jewelry
Too much jewelry can be a distraction. Some
people fiddle with jewelry during the interview,
which is often interpreted as nervousness.
Holliday recommends limiting jewelry to three
pieces. While it is common today to see young
people on the street with facial piercings, and
even tongue piercings, Holliday sees this as
less than professional and appealing to the
employer. "If you usually wear five earrings,
just wear one on each ear for an interview," she
advises.
No cell phone calls
"Answering a cell phone call during an interview
will not make you seem important. Chances are it
will lower your chances of being hired,"
Holliday says. A Monster.com survey indicates
this as one of the six most common interview
mistakes. Holliday recommends turning off your
cell phone before an interview or just don't
take it in an interview. What do you do if you
forget and it happens to ring? "Silence the
phone at once and apologize for the
interruption," she says.
Focus on specific competencies
Many interviewers begin with a general question
just to break the ice. When an interviewer says,
"Tell me something about yourself," Holliday
recommends relating your answer to an aspect of
the job rather than talking about your hobbies.
"This is a good opportunity to talk about a
specific strength or accomplishment that
qualifies you for the position," she says.
A CareerBuilders.com 2011 survey found that a
common mistake many candidates make is to not
answer the specific question asked. "Listen
carefully to the question and keep answers
brief. Don't speak for longer than 90 seconds,"
says Holliday.
Some interviews end with, "Is there anything you
want to add concerning your appropriateness for
the job?" Again, the answer should focus on the
position you are there to secure. A word of
caution here: Holliday doesn't recommend
responding with a statement like, "I'm the best
person you could hire."
"This display of ego generally kills any chance
you may have had to work there," she says.
In
This Issue:
Free
Sites for Managing Your Finances
