Business Etiquette & Manners: Job Interviews
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
The current trend in interviewing is "other directed." Interviews are focusing more and more on evaluating personality, values, and fit.
Before you get to the interview:
Before you suit-up for that "dream job" interview, do your homework. Work up stories about how you got to this particular stage in your career, research the company on the Web, and, if possible, research the person who is interviewing you to find a connection. Where was she or he educated? Where did they grow up? Most company Web sites have short biographical write-ups, along with a photo of the executive who will be interviewing you, so take advantage of that information and act accordingly. For instance, if he went to URI and you did too, or she grew up in Westerly and you did, too; that might be more important than the length of your resume.
Tips for interviewers:
Do: ask questions that highlight her/his personality and values, to find a good fit. Most importantly--listen.
Do: role model by showing a potential employee how you expect her/him to dress and behave.
Do: begin and conclude every interview with a handshake. That handshake is your first indication as to how you and she/he will get along. Extend your hand vertically towards the applicant with thumb pointing towards the ceiling. The base of both thumbs meet in the angle of the V made by the thumb and first finger. Both of your fascia over adductor pollicis muscles should touch. The shake should be firm and sincere but don't linger. Three seconds--no longer.
Do: be "other directed." Being other directed always works. In other words, you want to say, "Tell me about you." Learn as much as you can about the applicant through asking questions about him/her.
Do: know what you want to be listening for. Listen to his/her stories. Make the conversation be about the interviewee.
Do: try to determine if this is someone you can trust? Is this an employee who will watch your back or mess you up?
Do: look for values. If the interviewee is talking about matters that are irrelevant, your mind will wonder and you'll know she/he is not a good fit.
Do: look for a good fit.
Do: look for personality.
Do: try to find an acquaintance you have in common. Even if it takes a while, find someone you both know whom you can call and talk to before you hire her/him.
Don't: talk about yourself.
Tips for Interviewees
Job hunters, you are probably boning up on the company you're looking to join, but you should also be thinking about how you're going to connect with your employer and fit in with the culture of the work place. Try to talk to an older person that you know who either works, or who has worked for the company, to get a sense of whether or not you'll be considered a good fit.
Do: tell stories about yourself that reveal your personality and values.
Do: try to bring a story about a mistake you once made into the conversation and talk about what you learned from that mistake.
Do: suit up. Be well groomed and slightly over-dressed. In other words, suit-up a notch because it shows that you have aspirations that you're going up the ladder. For instance, if you usually don't wear a tie to work, wear one. It goes without saying that a tie and jacket along with leather shoes, as opposed to sneakers, are better footwear for interviews. Women, if you don't usually wear a suit to work, suit up, but don't wear strong or cloying perfume, bare arms, shoulders, or chest, or more than one piece of jewelry.
Do: be prepared to answer questions about your family and how you grew up, and who's important in your life and why you decided to change jobs.
Do: practice asking two good questions: one about the job you are applying for and the other about the company.
Don't: extend your hand first, let the interviewee initiate the handshake. He/she might be germophobic. You don't want to start off with a negative move.
Don't: shake hard, but shake strong. Be sure your hand isn't damp. If you're prone to moist palms, discreetly wipe your palm on your jacket, skirt, or pants before shaking hands.
Don't: focus on your resume; the interviewer is not going to be concerned about how many jobs you've had. She/he is accessing if you would be a good fit in the company's workplace culture. And is mainly interested in finding out if your personality and values are compatible with those of the company.
Don't: check your watch, cellphone, or Blackberry for the time (or messages), but look for a clue that the meeting is over. If it is a man, he might rise from his seat, walk you to the door, and shake your hand. A woman is more apt to look at her Blackberry and say, "It was good to meet you, but I have a conference call starting in a couple of minutes," and stick out her hand.
Don't: forget to write a handwritten thank-you note to the person who interviewed you, which is why you need to take his card from his/her assistant. In the note, refer to the date of the interview, the job you're applying for, and the personal friend connection he made with you.
Do: call the person whose name you connected with and warn him/her that they might receive a call. You want to do this because you want that common acquaintance to give you the heads up should the interviewer call him.
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