How to Conduct Yourself at an Interview
Improve your chance of getting hired by conducting yourself professionally at your job interview. Interviews are used by employers to not only examine your credentials, but to also to evaluate your communication skills, confidence and professionalism. They will be looking out for signs of nervousness, stress and behavioral weaknesses -- so be prepared and careful with your actions.
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Instructions
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Greet everyone in the office politely and respectfully. You do not know which individuals that you meet have influence in the hiring decision, so avoid making a poor first impression with anyone that works there.
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Shake the interviewer's hand firmly, yet not so firmly that it is hurtful. A firm handshake relays a sense of confidence, while a light handshake can be perceived as weak, nervous and lacking confidence.
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Listen carefully and keep eye contact. Pay attention throughout the interview and be cautious to not look distracted, bored or uninterested in what the interviewer is saying.
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Sit in the chair with a straight posture without fidgeting. If you have difficulty sitting straight, then sit towards the edge of the chair, as this forces you to sit up straighter.
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Answer questions honestly and accurately. If the interviewer has even a slight belief that you are lying, you could lose consideration for this position.
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Positively respond to all questions. Even if the interviewer asks you about a previous employer with whom you had a negative experience, put a positive spin on your response. Bad-mouthing previous employers is strongly frowned upon by interviewers.
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Keep responses thorough, while also being concise. Avoid long, wordy responses so that you do not lose the interviewer's interest, appear stressed or get off topic.
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Thank the interviewer before leaving. Let the interviewer know that you are thankful for her time and being considered for this position.
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References
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