Interview DO's and DON'Ts - Treatjobs.com

Interview do’s :

Dress appropriately for the industry; err on the side of being conservative to show you take the interview seriously. Your personal grooming and cleanliness should be impeccable.

 Know the exact time and location of your interview; know how long it takes to get there, park, find a rest room to freshen up, etc. 

Arrive early; 10 minutes prior to the interview start time 

Offer a firm handshake, make eye contact, and have a friendly expression when you are greeted by your interviewer. 

Listen to be sure you understand your interviewer's name and the correct pronunciation. Maintain good eye contact during the interview. Sit still in your seat; avoid fidgeting and slouching. 

Respond to questions and back up your statements about yourself with specific examples whenever possible. Ask for clarification if you don't understand a question. 

Exhibit a positive attitude. The interviewer is evaluating you as a potential co-worker. Behave like someone you would want to work with. When the interviewer concludes the interview, offer a firm handshake and make eye contact. 

Depart gracefully. After the interview, make notes right away so you don't forget critical details. Write a thank-you letter to your interviewer promptly.

interview don’t do’s:

Don't make excuses. Take responsibility for your decisions and your actions. Don't make negative comments about previous employers or professors . 

Don't falsify application materials or answers to interview questions.

 Don't make the interviewer guess what type of work you are interested in; it is not the interviewer's job to act as a career advisor to you. 

A job search can be hard work and involve frustrations; don't exhibit frustrations or a negative attitude in an interview.

Don't go to extremes with your posture; don't slouch, and don't sit rigidly on the edge of your chair. 

Don't assume that a female interviewer is "Mrs." or "Miss." Address her as "Ms." unless told otherwise. (If she has a Ph.D. or other doctoral degree or medical degree, use "Dr. [lastname]" just as you would with a male interviewer. 

Marital status of anyone, male or female, is irrelevant to the purpose of the interview. Don't chew gum or smell like smoke. 

Don't allow your cell phone to sound during the interview.  Don't take a cell phone call. Don't look at a text message. 

Don't take your parents, your pet (an assistance animal is not a pet in this circumstance), spouse, fiance, friends or enemies to an interview. 

If you are not grown up and independent enough to attend an interview alone, you're insufficiently grown up and independent for a job. (They can certainly visit your new city, at their own expense, but cannot attend your interview.)