The
extremely tight market for tech workers has degraded the interviewing
skills of many job candidates (see complete
story). These are some interview tips from Sue Fox, founder
and president of Los Gatos, Calif.-based Etiquette Survival and
author of "Business Etiquette for Dummies," which will be released
in the fall.
Before
the interview:
• Consider whether to interview at all. Don't waste
your time or that of recruiters, administrators and executives
if the job doesn't hold your interest.
• Research the company. Test
flagship products, read annual reports, memorize the names of
top executives, know the stock price, search online for relevant
news articles.
• Know the dress code--weekend
casual, business casual or traditional--and dress slightly better
than people who work there.
• Shed accessories. Conceal
or remove all body piercings and tattoos. Use antiperspirant or
deodorant. Do not bring a backpack.
• Do not cancel the interview
except for an emergency. Arrive 10 minutes early. Bring light
reading material, paper and a trusted pen.
At the interview:
• Do not chew gum, smoke, eat or drink on company premises
unless refreshments are offered.
• Stand up and greet interviewer
by name. Only use first names if the interviewer previously approved
it.
• Leave pagers, cell phones,
alarm watches and other beeping items in the car.
• Do not swear, even if the
interviewer does.
• Ask one or two questions toward
the end of the meeting, such as "What is your favorite thing about
working here?" Do not ask anything that would indicate you have
not done your research--i.e. the number of employees, stock performance,
mergers and acquisitions, etc.
• Shake hands upon exiting.
After the interview:
• Send thank-you notes to everyone
with whom you interviewed.
• Call or email about your status,
but no more than once a week.
