The Etiquette of the Interview
February 27, 2008
By Elizabeth Heubeck
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Though I’ve tried to blot out my early interviewing experiences, some memories just won’t go away. There’s my first suit, navy blue with lineman-worthy shoulder pads and matching pointy-toed pumps with gold appliqués, in which I was the picture of extreme discomfort. As for the companies where I was interviewing, I had only a foggy idea of what they did and an even foggier notion of what I might do for them. I’ve forgotten details of the interviews themselves, but I vividly recall my futile attempts to dry my clammy palms before shaking hands with my interviewers. I also remember squirming uncomfortably when asked, always toward the end of the interview, whether I had any questions about the company.
I made a lot of mistakes during my first foray into the professional world, most of which I can chalk up to inexperience. But even now, a decade after I made it into the workforce, I still get nervous at interviews; I still wonder if there’s a magic trick to landing that perfect job.
Women on every rung of the career ladder feel the same way. You may be one of them. Maybe you’re returning to the workforce after taking time off to have children. Perhaps you’re finally deciding to leave a job in which you’ve been comfortably ensconced for years. You could be planning a move up the ladder. Regardless of your employment status, you want to present yourself in the best possible light to prospective employers. We asked human resources professionals to share their secrets for success with SmartWoman readers.
Make your résumé sparkle
To even get your foot in the door for an interview, your résumé must impress someone. That means it must clearly and concisely communicate your professional skills and experience. Flawless presentation is critical — no typos, no grammatical errors and a clean layout are key. Keep it to one page if possible; two at most. The same goes for your cover letter: It must be concise and flawless. Even one typo is an excuse for an employer to toss it into the circular file.
Now, should you send your résumé and letter by snail mail or e-mail or post it on a website? The preferred format seems to depend on the industry you’re approaching.
“Paper is still status quo,” says Kay Calivas, managing director of human resources for Stephen James Associates, an executive recruiting firm that offers services in several cities, including Baltimore.
But other HR executives, primarily those in technically savvy industries, offer different advice. “Electronic versions are welcome and preferred,” says Stacy Critzer, senior human resources manager at Baltimore-based Advertising.com. “We still receive a fair amount of hard-copy résumés, but especially in our market we would rather see a résumé online and, if appropriate, an electronic portfolio.”
First impressions count
You’ve landed the interview. Now you have a face-to-face chance to show your prospective employer what you’re made of and why you’re the right candidate for the job. First impressions are enormously important. Your interviewer will make a decision about you in the first few minutes. Here’s how to make those moments pay off.
First, be on time. Leave early. You never know when you’ll run into a traffic jam or have trouble finding a parking spot. Carry a cell phone and call if you do run into trouble that will make you late. Remember to turn the phone off before you go into the interview.
Use the right handshake. “Don’t overdo it, but don’t underdo it — using your full hand with medium pressure and two shakes is the perfect handshake,” says David Getty, a Baltimore-based team manager for Administaff, which serves as a human resources department for small and medium-sized businesses throughout the United States. And, just in case you’re wondering, Getty says, “a handshake shouldn’t reflect gender.”
Project a professional appearance. “It sounds silly, but chipped nail polish looks sloppy. And people notice,” Calivas says.
Be pleasant to everyone. You’re nervous, maybe you’re late, but that’s no reason to bark at the receptionist. “I’ve known companies in which receptionists have a say in hiring,” Calivas says. “How you treat other personnel is indicative of how you’ll treat people in the office.”
Sizing up the company’s culture
This last point — making nice with everyone you encounter in the office — is key. “Over the last 10 or 15 years, so many organizations have really invested in human capital, creating culture-based initiatives,” Getty says. You will hear a lot about employee teamwork, and you can be sure you’ll be asked about how you function as a team player. Have a positive
but honest response ready. Remember that the interview is also a time for you to decide whether you want to be part of this company’s team.
Clicking with a company goes far beyond having the right skill set and wearing an appropriate suit. You have to establish a connection with your interviewer from the get-go.
“The reality is that it’s important for both parties to have a connection,” Calivas says. “A great interview can compensate for perceived weaknesses in a résumé.” Advertising.com’s Critzer agrees: “Sixty to 65 percent of the interview outcome depends on chemistry between the candidate and the interviewer.”
That doesn’t mean you can ad-lib your way through an interview. Always do your homework about the organization.
Finally, send a thank-you note after the interview. Says Getty, “There’s no substitute for professional courtesy.”
