Recently, I watched newscast that reported a story on students trying to find jobs for the summer and how they were having a difficult time doing so due to lack of interviewing skills. It’s no wonder. Isn’t it true that, while we have advanced communications technology, as a society we’ve lost the ability to simply converse face to face in a way that portrays our best selves? This is such an important skill to have when transitioning from high school or college into the workforce, even if it’s for a summer job.

Here are some quick tips for putting your best foot forward, especially if you’ve never had ANY experience interviewing.

1. Don’t lie. About anything. Ever.

2. Dress a little better than the expected level of dress for the job.

3. Enter the interview, shake the hand of the interviewer and sit properly when invited to sit.

4. Don’t fidget. Even if your panty hose are being frisky.

5. When asked a question, take a moment and then answer questions thoughtfully using clear speech and leaving out casual or slang words.

6. If you are asked about your weaknesses, turn those to your favor. For example, if you’ve had trouble in English, then state that you recognized this as a short coming and that in order to overcome the difficulty you enrolled in advanced classes.

7. Think like an interviewer. Prior to the interview, preferably NOT the night before, write a list of questions that you would ask, if you were the interviewer. Then compile a mental list of how you might best answer any of those questions.

8. Do your homework. Who is it that you are interviewing with? Research the company, the business, and if the information is available, the interviewer.

9.  Follow up the interview, no matter how it goes, with a thank you letter. This shows class and may just be the deciding factor.

10. Don’t be discouraged if you are not hired. Chances are you might not have been a good fit there, anyway, and you would have been miserable. Most interviewers are looking for someone who is capable, but who also has the type of personality that will work well within the existing structure.

If this is an area of weakness for you, there is so much more to learn than I could possibly put into a blog.  Click here for more information on this and other etiquette tips.

Remember, no matter what you are doing in your day, you are communicating something to someone, even if you are interviewing. Pay attention to body language; make those around you the most important thing in your life at the moment and you will soon be known as a friendly, easy-to-talk-to woman. You will also feel confident as you head into social situations, because you will know exactly how to handle them.

Go get that job! ….and as always…remember to live life on the manners side (we have tea cakes).

Fondly,

Liz

Look for more details on this and other related etiquette at: www.elitemanners.com .  

Also…just a little horn blowing, if you please.