| Job Interview Tips - Business Etiquette and Communication
Palmer Suk, Madison Harris Corporation. www.madison-harris.com
Etiquette and visual/verbal communication skills are a learned process. Anyone can learn how to display business etiquette and use effective communication techniques.
Let’s start with the fundamentals of business etiquette and communications in job interviews…
Job Interview Business Etiquette and Communication Essentials:
• Be on time. Arrive 10-15 minutes early and use the time to do a last minute check on your preparation, appearance and mind-set.
• Be prepared with all information on your employment and educational history as well as references and associated contact information. Research the organization, biographies of the people you will meet (or anticipate you might meet), details of the role, etc. Knowing ahead of time who you will meet, what you might encounter in the interview, questions you will ask and questions you will be asked (and how you will respond) are all basics for which you should prepare. “Winging-it” in interviews seldom yields the best results – Be Prepared!
• Be thorough - If an application is required to be filled out as part of the interview process (expect this at all levels at some point in the hiring process), do so completely and neatly. Do NOT write “see resume” in lieu of writing down information. This may create a perception that you take “short-cuts” or are possibly apathetic about the job or company, or you have disregard for the procedures of the company - Certainly not an image you want to project before you even start the interview!
• Resume writing is both a science and art. Most resumes are poorly designed and poorly written and do more harm than good in landing an interview. A majority of hiring authorities separate resumes into basically two “piles” – The largest pile consists of resumes headed to the trash can and the few remaining to a “possibility” pile. If you do not make the first cut, you are out! If you DO make the first cut, then you need to concisely and clearly define what you bring to the table and how that will benefit an employer so that you go to the top of that pile. A well-designed and well written resume gets attention and sets that person apart from the crowd!
• Offer a firm, confident handshake, make good eye contact, and smile when meeting everyone involved in the hiring process (all representatives of an organization should be considered part of the decision process – anyone you meet or to whom you are introduced is a potential influence person)
• Speak and enunciate clearly - Project your voice towards the listener and speak at a volume level and pace (avoid talking too fast) at which the other person does not have to struggle to hear and understand you! Your comments, questions and answers should be concise and to-the-point.
• Use positive and enthusiastic tone of voice and facial expressions. The way you say something communicates more than the actual words. This is an area that requires some training and lots of practice for most. Invest time in training your voice to communicate effectively – it will serve you well in all areas of your life!
• Listen attentively. Focus on what the other person is trying to communicate to you. Look for cues in body language, facial expressions and tone of voice.
• Re-state any questions that you do not fully understand in order to clarify what the interviewer is trying to ask. Take an “active” role in communication. For example, if you are not sure what the interviewer is asking for, ask him or her “So what I understand you’re asking is…[restate what you believe he/she is saying]…is that correct Mr. Smith?” After getting confirmation or clarification, say “That’s a good question”…then, answer the question concisely and clearly! If you are not on the same wavelength as the interviewer, chances are you will not be effective in your answers, so make sure you are clearly “hearing” what is being asked before answering!
• Maintain steady and positive eye contact. Avoidance of eye contact is usually a “deal-breaker” – it indicates lack of confidence and that you may have something to hide. If you are nervous, that is ok! Still maintain a consistent and confident eye contact with the person you are speaking with…This is essential! If you naturally tend to avert your eyes when talking to someone, NOW is the time to learn how to break that habit!
• Body language is important! You communicate in a variety of ways. You may say one thing, but be sending another message in the way you “carry” yourself without realizing it. Learn to integrate what you say verbally with what you say physically. Project a positive and confident body language. Try to balance a relaxed, but alert and attentive posture at all times. Maintain an upright and straight as possible posture (inc ... |
