Proper Manners When Interviewing for a Job

However, one avenue of social interaction that demands proper manners is the job interview. This most often is done face to face and first impressions always last. The rules are steadfast and if you really want the job- you had better pay attention, please.

1. If you are asked for an interview- arrive early by 10-15 minutes. Promptness is a good thing. It shows you are interested and wish to make a good impression. Plus it displays your dependability.
2. If you are asked for an interview- SHOW UP. This is really important. Why? You might be going to someone's house for a babysitting, or housekeeper job. The employer, probably the woman, is waiting for you. She probably works during the day and has taken time off of work to accommodate the interview, and rearranged her schedule to give the meeting sufficient time to cover everything, not to mention the gas she wasted driving home to meet you. Then you don't show up, or even call. Shame on you. That is very rude and your name will be mud in her circles I can assure you.
3. Do not arrive to the interview late. This has the opposite effect as #1.
4. Shake hands with your interviewer. This is called a greeting. Greet your potential employer.
5. If your interview is for an office position, dress appropriately. Jeans and a t-shirt do not look good in an interview. Likewise for a babysitting job. No formal dress required, but it wouldn't hurt. DO NOT show up in ripped shorts hanging off your hips that show your butt crack, or t-shirts that say something trashy. (Want to know what trashy is? - say the word in front of your Grandmother, if she cringes, it's trashy.)
6. Arrive alone, or have your ride wait in the car. If you need your mom, dad, aunt or big brother to be in the room with you- you are not ready for a job. You need to get back to school.
7. DO NOT chew gum during the interview. (or eat, drink or smoke) It is disgusting. I would think this is understood by most people, but I was sadly mistaken. A girl applying for a bank teller position chewed her bubblegum as she sat down for the interview. I asked her to leave and threw her resume out.
8. Treat the job seriously. I had a babysitter apply to work for me. At the interview she said she wanted to work over the summer until she got a "real" job. I thought it was a real job, and she was a real idiot. I asked her to leave and threw her resume out.
9. Be prepared with your references in hand- the more information you provide, even voluntarily, the faster you will get a response. Leaving the interview without providing these is a serious failure. The employer will not chase you down to get the information requested, you are responsible for that. Follow through.
10. During the interview, sit up tall, smile and make eye contact. As far as what is said, be honest and clear with your answers.
11. After the interview, within 24 hrs, send a note, by email or post office thanking the person for their time. That is called "Being polite". It is very good.
12. If you really want the job, you will do the above mentioned. Do not waste someone's time by saying you'll follow the process and then not. If you don't care about the job, DO NOT APPLY FOR IT.

Above all else- be polite, courteous, prompt and respectful. I hire people based on their manners 75% of the time. Anyone with half a brain can learn on the job, but if their integrity is less than decent- they won't get very far.

I hope this helps those seeking employment. Thank you for reading.