Listen Up Candidates! Here is What NOT to Do before an interview!

Lexi Morgan

It’s time to get real. As recruiters we love working with qualified candidates who are a match for career opportunities, but often we see some bad habits and mannerisms that are not helping you achieve the job you want. We see it in our office, and we hear it from our clients, so here goes with what NOT TO DO as a job candidate. Don’t forget the old saying, “the job interview starts the moment you walk through the door.”

DO NOT:

Look at your phone while waiting in the lobby. And, absolutely do not look at your phone during the interview. Instead, turn your phone off, and put it away before you walk in the door. The best option would be to leave in your car.  Nothing feels more like you don’t care about what we are saying or the job than watching you glance at your phone or (gasp) answer the phone or a text during the interview time.

DO NOT:

Disregard the person at the front desk of the office you are visiting. Instead, introduce yourself, be friendly, leave a great first impression that this person can talk about with the hiring manager you will be interviewing with that day. And, again, stay off your phone!

DO NOT:

Take for granted the value of a firm handshake and look into the hiring manager’s eyes. Instead, smile, offer your hand, shake firmly, look the person in the eyes and say, “It’s great to meet you” or “It’s great to be here” or something along those lines. And, when you leave, shake their hand firmly again, look the person in the eyes, and say, “Thank you for your time and consideration.” It’s important, and they WILL remember it.

DO NOT:

Act like you are too important for anyone you are talking to. You never know how important their voice may be in the hiring process. And, if you get through part of the interview and realize you do not really want the position, finish strong. Do not show that you don’t care! There could be another position in the company that you are more interested in later, and you will want them to remember you!

DO NOT:

Have bad manners. Period. If you are not sure exactly how to act, ask your recruiter if your manners are up to par. If they are not, take their advice about what to do, how to dress, how to act. It’s all about impressions, first, middle, last at an interview or visit with a recruiter or hiring manager. Even if you are not the perfect fit for a position, the way you carry yourself will can place you in the candidate pool for a good placement. Improving your manners and ways of acting could mean getting the job, or not.

We are here to be your advocate but if you are not treating hiring managers or recruiters with respect, it’s hard to promote you to our clients. We recommend following this advice, you will feel more confident and have a better shot at getting the job!

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