7 Common Courtesy Tips To Win The Interview

Don’t make these common interview courtesy mistakes

It amazes me how what used to be perceived as common courtesy has disappeared.
Am I just getting old, I wonder? Actually, I don’t think so. I just don’t think anyone is teaching the next generation things we used to take for granted.

What am I talking about? Well, society is forgetting things, like holding a door open for a woman, instead of honking or texting, going up to a person’s door to get them, or if an older woman gets on a bus, giving up your seat for her.

In the job seeker’s world, the lack of common courtesy might be seen as a faux-pas that will be recognized by an employer and counted against you. To avoid this issue, here are 7 common courtesy steps you must follow. Some are glaringly obvious, some not so.

Courtesy Tip #1

When you meet someone, shake their hand AND look them in the eye during the handshake. This should be a firm handshake. Grab the person’s hand, shake once, make eye contact, and smile.

Courtesy Tip #2

Let an interviewer know how happy you are to meet them, during the handshake usually.

Courtesy Tip #3

Stand up when someone comes into the room. If you are in the lobby waiting for someone, even the receptionist (I should probably say especially the receptionist), you should stand up when the person comes in to either give you news or announce the interviewer is ready for you.

Courtesy Tip #4

If you are all about to sit, WAIT until everyone else is seated. Don’t sit first. If someone comes in the room after you are seated, what do you do? Of course, follow Courtesy Tip #3.

Courtesy Tip #5

If you have items you want to put on the table that might scratch the surface (a briefcase, laptop, etc..), ask for permission to put it on the table, especially if it’s someone’s desk.

Courtesy Tip #6

To start taking notes, ask if the interviewer minds if you take notes. This is a big one. It forces them to pay attention to the fact that you are listening. This is as much for you to be recognized as a note-taker as it is courtesy. Of course, the interviewer will say “Yes,” and many times he/she will say “I’m a note-taker also.”

Courtesy Tip #7

After the interview, thank the interviewer for taking the time to meet with you. Follow Rule #1 and be very sincere. The interviewer had to take time out of his/her schedule for you and you should recognize it.

So there you go… 7 common courtesy rules that if ignored could mean points against you during the interview. A potential employer will pick up that you did these things and the other candidates didn’t or vice-versa.