How to ace any job interview

Posted December 6, 2013

If you’ve been asked to a job interview, you’ve proven yourself on paper. Now you have to prove yourself in person. How can you walk into any interview situation knowing you’re doing the right thing? Follow these simple rules of interview etiquette:

1. Do your homework. Become familiar with not only the company but with the person who will be interviewing you. This will help you formulate and ask intelligent questions.
2. Bring clean copies of your resume and any other materials you think you might need. Always be prepared!
3. Turn your cell phone off as soon as you arrive on the premises and leave it off until you’re out the door. Not set on mute or vibrate. Off.
4. Be on time. This means giving yourself enough time to arrive with about ten minutes to spare. Don’t be too early, and do not be late.
5. Offer a firm handshake. Your interviewer should initiate it. Be ready!
6. Keep up your end of the conversation, but don’t talk too much or talk over your interviewer. Avoid delivering monologues!
7. Sit up straight. Your body language is crucial during an interview. Don’t slouch or cross your legs.
8. Smile and make eye contact. Even if you’re nervous or uncomfortable, you want appear approachable and confident.
9. Remember your manners. Say please and thank you when appropriate.
10. Don’t discuss money! At least not right away. Toward the end of the interview, if you feel that you might want the job, say so and add “I would need to know what the compensation and benefits will be.”
11. Don’t chew gum. Or eat candy or mints. Just don’t.
12. Don’t assume you can use a nickname for the interviewer. Use only the name the interviewer gives you during introductions.
13. Write a thank-you note after the interview. You can mention that you are interested (or not) in the job, but the focus here is on thanking the interviewers for their time.
14. Keep your thoughts on the interview to yourself. Don’t tweet or post about it on Facebook or Tumblr. The interviewer may be checking on you online.

At Ambassador Personnel, we know how to do things right. Mostly, we know how to match the right people with the right jobs. If you’d like to find out what we can do for you, call or contact us anytime.If you are looking for local staffing agencies in the southeast, contact us today.