Be on time!

You should be there at least 10 minutes before the interview is scheduled to start.

A good first impression.

Stand up and present with a firm handshake, smile, make eye contact, and clearly greet the person, calling them by name.

Warm-up with a brief, friendly comment that eases the tension between two strangers.

You've asked for this meeting, this is your responsibility to initiate a warm, friendly, positive, and non-controversial comment such as: "I really like your offices" or "This is a great old building." or "What a great fall day." Avoid anything personal or negative like, "Are those pictures of your wife?" or "Your blouse matches the paint in my bathroom."

Sit down across from the Interviewer after they begin to sit down or indicate you should sit down.

Sit back in your chair, lean forward and become engaged in a friendly conversation with your Interviewer. Remember, you are interviewing them as much as they are interviewing you! Be polite, don’t interrupt, wait for clear pauses to answer the questions, don’t talk over each other.

DO NOT accept offers of drinks!

There is too much probability that it will spill all over your new clothes or the Interviewer's notes, so just don’t do it.

Pay close attention to your Interviewers questions.

Get on track with your answers and stay there; don’t talk too long about any one subject – keep it light and interesting.

Handling Nervousness

Fidgeting and hand gestures are distracting. Put your hands in your lap or on the table in front of you. Don’t tap your fingers, feet, pens, pencils or any other objects. Make eye contact and make sure you’re posture shows that you are healthy, engaged, and proud to be where you are in life. Relax - what is the worst thing that can happen? Give your attention to the other person and take the focus off yourself.

Closing the Interview

When the Interviewer indicates the interview is over, smile, stand up, make eye contact, and shake hands. Repeat the interviewer's name and thank him/her. Indicate your interest in the job (only if you’re truly interested!). For example: "I'm very interested in this job and I'd like to work for your company." Another good closing or “going out the door” question is: "When will you be making a hiring decision?" or"What is the next step in the hiring process?"

Thank them again and be on your way.

Don’t waste their time or yours. When you get home, sit down and write a thank you note to the person who you just interviewed with. Thank them for their time and indicate your continued interest in the job. Insert your phone number or business card. Address the envelope, put a stamp on it and put it in the mailbox. Now, that’s good manners!

Now that you have read about Manners During the Interview, may we suggest that you take the next step and check out Good Attitude or Enthusiastic Attitude? It is important to us that we are able to help people as they recover and prosper after job loss, so please contact us with suggestions, corrections, and even your personal experiences. If you found this article or video to be helpful, we'd love for you to share it with a friend. Also, be sure to check out all of the amazing resources for your career transition in the  ILostMyJob.com Book Store!

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