The Little Things Between Writing the Résumé and Signing the Contract

"You never get a second chance to make a first impression."

Will Rogers, Film Actor

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Proper interview etiquette is commonly overlooked, but required 100% of the time. An article in Forbes called “Small Things Can Make The Biggest Impact” discusses some of the most important things that can either make or break your success. First impressions are sometimes hard to come by, but by having exceptional interview manner knowledge, you’ll rock every interview you go into.

Rehearse and Be Prepared

Understand the company you are walking in to and know what their mission is. You don’t have to know every little detail about them, but if the employer asks you why you want to work for this company, you should know the mission statement and what the company does, so you can give a viable answer. As Courtney Claiborne mentioned, not being prepared is common but definitely a mistake.

A(dress) the part!

Dress to be comfortable, but dress to impress. You should never change yourself for a job, but you should look professional. Dressing for job interviews is important, and can differ between industries. You want your outfit to represent who you are, and address your confidence, but you also don’t want to overwhelm the employer with your style.

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The Initial Shake

When you first shake the interviewer’s hand, you want to make sure you give a friendly, cordial, and firm handshake. Something I learned early on as a woman, is to not be afraid of a firm handshake; this will make a memorable impression on the employer.

Call Them by Their Full Name

Address the prospective employer by his or her title and last name. This shows that you are immediately giving respect. Meeting and greeting is something that is commonly overlooked, but it is one of the most important factors of all.

A Smile Goes a Long Way

The first thing an employer will see and possibly pass judgment on is your appearance, and your smile. Smiling to the employer shows you are friendly.

What Language Does Your Body Say?

Allow yourself to be comfortable, but not slouched over. Having good posture and your hands together, shows you have confidence because you give off a calming vibe. Whereas if your legs are crossed and you’re twirling your hair shows that you might be nervous and lacking self-confidence. Don’t forget to also adjust your facial expressions.

Ask Questions!

Don’t leave that interview without asking questions. It shows the employer that you were listening and taking everything in. Not having a question might possibly show that you weren’t entirely interested or simply unprepared.