Poor etiquette can cost you your dream job

Jul 08, 2007

WHAT etiquette do employers expect during a job interview? Many candidates go for interviews and end up disappointed. Preparing for an interview is as good as the interview itself. Francis Peter Ojede, the head of the Human Resource Department at the Electoral Commission, says there is a possibility

By Arthur Baguma

WHAT etiquette do employers expect during a job interview? Many candidates go for interviews and end up disappointed. Preparing for an interview is as good as the interview itself. Francis Peter Ojede, the head of the Human Resource Department at the Electoral Commission, says there is a possibility for good candidates to blow up their chances because of poor etiquette and preparations.
Ojede advises that for starters, conducting a mock interview with a friend or business associate is an important preparatory tool for a successful interview. It helps a person evaluate his/her communication skills and learn the etiquette required for the interview. During the mock interview, a person should speak while looking into a mirror. Pay attention to nervous habits like excessive hand movements, poor eye contact or awkward long pauses and repeat until perfection.

Dress professionally
The workplace’s dress code might be casual attire, but that does not extend to the interview. By wearing a clean, well-pressed suit, you show that you take the job seriously. Ojede says one should not dress to ‘kill’ but rather, formally and smart.

Be on time
Showing up late does not make a positive impression on an employer, who might assume that you will also fail to report on time for work. The interviewee should be at the venue at least 20-30 minutes before the interview. Arriving late while panting and sweating could seal your fate, even before the interviewer asks the first question.

Come prepared
Bring extra copies of your documents. Learn as much as you can about the company. This will help you better understand the job and ask intelligent questions during the interview. Ojede says one should know that they have competition and thus the need to go an extra mile to be different from others.

Body language counts
A pleasant smile, firm handshake and good posture can help you project an air of confidence, even if you are nervous, says Ojede. But the burden of a successful interview does not lie on the interviewee alone. Interviewers should be polite and professional to create a conducive environment for the interviewee. Even when one answers a question wrongly, don’t castigate them, keep it to yourself and grade them accordingly. There is a possibility of a good candidate panicking during the interview if the interviewer acts in an intimidating manner. To avoid such, Ojede says the interviewer can start the interview with basic questions to let the interviewee calm down.

Be friendly, but not too friendly
The person who interviews you must figure out whether your personality fits the organisation’s culture. But the interviewer does not need to hear your life story to get a feel of your personality. For the most part, try to keep the conversation at a professional level. Don’t answer questions you have not been asked. The questions should not be more than two and relevant.

Thank the interviewer
Thanking the interviewer, although under-looked by many, can be the extra mark that could make you take the job. A written or e-mailed note thanking the interviewer is not only polite, it also keeps your name on the person’s mind. If there is competition for the position, the effort you take to thank an employer for interviewing you could help tip the job scale in your favour.

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