Behavior and Etiquette

BE ON TIME. Plan on being 20 minutes early just in case of bad traffic, an accident, etc... make sure you have explicit directions. If this is the first time you have been to this company, drive there beforehand to be sure you know where you are going.

INTRODUCE YOURSELF PROPERLY and make good eye contact. Use a firm handshake and greet your interviewer by name. Use the interviewer's name during the interview. Good eye contact helps convey a positive, honest image.

UNDERSTAND THE PERSONALITY OF THE INTERVIEWER and use positive body language. It is essential that you quickly assess the interviewer's basic personality and tailor your responses accordingly. Also, watch your interviewer's body language. Be alert for changes in behavior or lack of interest. If you sense this, you may not be answering the question or are giving long explanations when you should be brief and to the point.

THE OLD ADAGE, "opposites attract" does not apply. In reality, people like to work with people with similar interests. Understanding this key point puts you well on your way to a successful interview.

IF YOU WANT IT, ASK FOR THE JOB! When the interview is finished, make sure the client knows that you want the job. It is appropriate to ask for it! Many times candidates walk away from the interview without giving any indication of their interest in the position and the company ends up hiring the person who asks for the job. Example:

"From all the things I have heard today, I think that I would be very happy,
challenged, and motivated in this position. I would really like to work for your team. What is the next step?"

Conversely, if you are not interested, DO NOT TELL THE CLIENT, politely thank the interviewer for his or her time and leave on a positive note. Let your recruiter know your feelings and he or she will handle it from there. Telling them you are not interested is a form of rejection that can be misinterpreted by the client and taken the wrong way. a good rule of thumb to remember is: "Watch out what you say on the way up, you never know who you will meet on the way down!"

Lastly, ALWAYS SEND A THANK YOU CARD to the interviewer... It shows a bit of class and that you took the time to be courteous. It is also a sign of how you'll treat your co-workers, supervisors and customers if you do get the job!