Interview Etiquette

Interview etiquette works both ways, meaning that both interviewer and interviewee should be aware of the proper way of taking part in a professional interview. For the job candidate, this means showing up on time for the scheduled interview, and not a second too late. In fact, it is also important for employers to be on time, as being late can send a poor message about the company's work ethics.

Making the candidate feel welcomed is an important, but often overlooked aspect of interviewing. If this person ends up being a part of the team, it does no good to antagonize them so early on. Having said that, though, treating the interview casually can also send the wrong message. That's why it is almost as crucial for employers to conform the standard interview etiquette as it is for candidates.

Important Interview Etiquette

If you are the person conducting the interview, it is important that you are aware of certain points. It is absolutely illegal to ask personal questions regarding a candidate's age, marital status, sexual orientation, or ethnicity. You also cannot ask a female candidate if she plans on having children in the future, as this is an illegal interview question.

You may ask the candidate if he or she has ever been convicted of a crime, and if he or she can provide proof of eligibility to work in the United States. Try to keep your questions pertinent to the job description, as you do not want to veer off into personal territory. Finally, if a candidate has excellent skills but lacks personality, you may want to rethink hiring him or her. It is always much easier to train someone with the skills they will need to do the job than it is to have a person alter his or her personality.