dos and dont’s of a job interview

DOS AND DONT’S OF A JOB INTERVIEW

By: Aurariela Jaramillo. Xllª L

DOS

• Make sure your clothes that are neatly ironed

and press. Nothing gives away the lack of

attention to detail than wrinkled clothing.

• Sit up straight, and lean slightly forward in your

chair. In addition to projecting interest and

engagement in the interaction, aligning your

body's position to that of the interviewer's

shows admiration and agreement.

• Establish a comfortable amount of personal

space between you and the interviewer.

Invading personal space (anything more than

20 inches) could make the interviewer feel

uncomfortable and take the focus away from

your conversation.

• Show your enthusiasm by keeping an

interested expression. Nod and make positive

gestures in moderation to avoid looking like a

bobblehead.

• If you have more than one person interviewing you

at once, make sure you briefly address both

people with your gaze (without looking like a

tennis spectator) and return your attention to the

person who has asked you a question.

• Interruptions can happen. If they do, refrain from

staring at your interviewer while they address

their immediate business and motion your

willingness to leave if they need privacy.

DONT’S

• Cross your legs and idly shake one over the

other. It's distracting and shows how

uncomfortable you are.

• Don’t wear perfume or cologne. I hope I don’t

need to explain this, but if I do…first, some

people find perfumes or colognes offensive –

worse yet, some people may be allergic.

• Don’t go heavy on the make-up. (To be gender

neutral, this goes for men or women.) The

closer to natural you look, the more the real

you can shine through. • No gum, no candy – nothing in your mouth

except teeth (hopefully) and other nature-given stuff. You’re there to speak and listen – without anything else going on in there.

• Don’t take off on your own and answer a question that wasn’t asked.

• Please…I beg of you…don’t come to an interview if

you haven’t bathed or brushed your teeth! If anyone

thinks I’m kidding, I’m not.

• Don’t interrupt the interviewer! Even if you think you

get where they’re going and have the most brilliant

answer ever to their interview question, this is one of

the most annoying things you can do. Give them a

chance to finish.

• Don’t listen to your iPod, play video games, make cell

phone calls, etc. while waiting to be interviewed.

THANKS FOR YOUR ATTENTION