Since high school, you’ve heard advice from all directions on how to act properly during an interview. However, you may never have been advised on how to act immediately before the interview begins – even though your behavior in the waiting room can make or break your job prospects.
From the moment you pull onto the company lot, someone within the company is observing you and making mental notes of your behavior. How you comport yourself while you’re waiting for your interview can be as important as what you say in the interview room itself.
When you are waiting for an interview to begin:
- DON’T check your cell phone. Checking your cell phone gives the impression that you’d rather be somewhere else – which communicates that you’re not particularly interested in the job. Unless you are the point person for an active emergency within your family, keep your cell phone on silent and stashed in your purse or pocket.
- DON’T read unrelated material. Whether it’s blog posts on your cell phone or a magazine you pick up in the waiting room, reading unrelated material both communicates a lack of interest and wastes valuable moments you could be spending in last-minute preparations.
- DON’T listen to music on your iPod, phone, or other device. Listening to music communicates an even greater lack of interest than reading or checking your phone – it telegraphs that you have completely “checked out” of the interview process. If music helps you relax, plan to listen to it on the way to your interview, but turn it off and remove the headphones once you leave your car.
What can you do to communicate your dedication to the position and your interest in the company – even while sitting quietly in a waiting room? Consider these options:
- DO review your notes. Come prepared to your interview with copies of your resume, references, portfolio, and your notes. Review these while you wait to prepare yourself for your interview and keep the questions you want to ask at the top of your mind.
- DO ask for company materials to read. Brochures and similar items can help you learn more about the company. Asking for them and reviewing them demonstrates that you’re interested in working for this employer in particular, and it also gives you access to valuable information you can consider when deciding whether the position is right for you.
- DO sit calmly and quietly. Pacing, fidgeting, or twitching all indicate nervousness and lack of preparation – which are the opposite of the impression you want to give a potential employer. Sit calmly and quietly, and don’t forget to breathe.
At Marquee Staffing, our recruiters can help you prepare for any interview. Contact us today to learn more!