Job Tuition

How Not to Act Outside Your Interview

December 10th, 2006 by Andrew

Many people think that only your interview matters when it comes to getting a job. Nothing could be further from the truth. When you visit a prospective employer, all of your behavior matters from the time you pull into the parking lot until you leave. Here are a few examples to keep in mind the next time you visit an employer’s office.

Other employees

One mistake some interviewees make is to treat other employees of the company disrepectfully. One area where this particularly applies is to assistants and other direct subordinates of your interviewer.

Other employees within the company likely have some sway with your interviewer. Most importantly, they are people, just like you. You should treat everyone with respect and thank them for assistance they might provide. You might just run across an employee who has the power to seal (or kill) your chances of getting of job. Don’t you want to treat him the right way?

As mentioned above, be especially careful with regard to assistants and support staff. These employees don’t always get a lot of respect, but you don’t want to fall into that behavior. The receptionist might just hold the keys to your job.

Outside the office

Even though you’re just in the parking lot, you should still behave like you’re in the interviewer’s office. No peeling out. Don’t park in the fire lane. Turn your stereo down.

On a related note, be sure to observe any “no smoking” signs. Better yet, don’t smoke until you leave the property. If you must satisfy your nicotine addiction, smoke only where allowed, and put your butt in a proper ashtray.

Bathroom time

This may sound weird, but be sure to be courteous in the bathroom. That’s right: flush and wash your hands.

Think about it. You never know who may notice your bathroom etiquette. You don’t want the boss, who happens to be a clean-freak, seeing you not wash your hands before you come to interview with him. Nobody likes to shake hands with someone who just answered the call of nature.

Also, make sure you clean up any mess you might make in the bathroom. You don’t want the boss coming in behind you and seeing that you didn’t wipe the seat. It’s not your house, and your mother isn’t there to clean up your messes.

Hopefully you get the gist by now. Don’t let your guard down until you leave the employer’s property. Be vigilant with your manners. Courtesy never goes unnoticed.