The 10 Rules of Job Interview Etiquette

First impressions matter. While getting a job, especially, it is most important to make a good first impression– that could be your chance to ensure better chances of getting hired. It is crucial to know how to present yourself and behave during job interviews.

With the age of remote and hybrid work environments, a significant percentage of job interviews get conducted virtually; interviewers connect with candidates over video conferencing services. As such, following appropriate etiquette has become crucial for virtual interviews.

Ensure an appropriate background.

While, yes, candidates often partake in interviews from their homes, it is still important to maintain a sober background. Make sure that your background is not too busy, and is free of offensive or inappropriate material that might prove to be distracting during the interview.

Angle your camera the right way.

Make sure the angle at which your camera is situated makes your entire face and neck visible to the interviewer. It is important that an interviewer gets to see your face clearly. In a similar vein, it is best for a candidate to participate in interviews using their laptop. Using a phone, while sometimes necessary, might create a video image or an angle that might not prove best for the interview. Ensure that your camera or webcam is sturdy and steady enough for there to not be any distractions on that end.

Rehearse, and be prepared.

It is often hard to make a good first impression especially when you are not conversing face to face. There are common questions that are almost always asked in an interview that a candidate should be prepared to answer. You may be asked why you wish to work for an organization, what your strengths and weaknesses are, and similar questions. Ensure that you are prepared to answer these questions. It will not prove beneficial to fumble over questions that are common for interviews across the board. If there are any industry-specific questions that you may be expecting, ensure that you have prepared for those as well.

Interlink to the blog post: most common/challenging interview questions and how to answer them

Do your research.

It will always serve a candidate to show up with some knowledge of the company they are interviewing for. Know your interviewer’s name and background, as well as other details about the company. It may also prove helpful to reference these details during your interview. You can mention a recent achievement for the organization or the kinds of markets they have expanded into. It will show that you have done your research, and your interviewer will appreciate the genuine interest you are showing in the company and the role.

Exhibit the right body language.

The right body language will make you come across as confident and prepared. Don’t slouch, sit up straight. Show interest visually, make eye contact with your interviewer, and don’t fidget or look around the room too much. It is advisable to greet everyone present in the video meeting.

Dress appropriately.

Ensure the right clothes– a dark jacket, a white shirt, and pants or a skirt are almost always appropriate. This applies even to virtual interviews, as well. Just because an interview is being conducted from home does not mean that a candidate does not have to dress the part.

Don’t be late.

Showing up on time shows that this interview is important to the candidate. In fact, it is advisable to show up a little earlier to account for any hiccups along the way. Even if your interview is being conducted virtually, ensure that your video camera and microphones are working right and you are handy with the right documents in advance.

Keep your mobile phone turned off.

While this may seem obvious, many candidates forget to turn off their mobile phones during an interview. It is important to give your interview what it’s due by not causing distractions due to the ringing of your phone. If your phone does right, try to shut it off, and apologize for the inconvenience.

Ask questions.

While it will be the interviewer who asks most of the questions, a candidate is also allowed to ask questions during the interview. Yet again, this exhibits that you have a genuine interest in the role that you are interviewing for. Sell yourself to the company with your interview, and then ask questions about the workplace. This helps to feel out whether the role and the work environment are right for you, and whether you will be a good fit for the organization and the role.

Finally, thank your interviewer. It is considered good practice to thank your hiring manager after your interview has finished. Through an email, thank your interviewer for the opportunity and their time, and for the chance to learn more about the company.

These small things will ensure that you solidify your candidature as one with genuine interest, and as someone who cares for the role. If things of this nature go awry, it is possible that even your skills and qualifications might not land you the job. With a few deep breaths and these tips in mind, the interview will be a piece of cake.