Manners and Etiquette

Interviewers will typically expect professional behavior, but that can look different to everyone. The best general rules to follow are: 

  • Put your cell phone on silent (and no vibration), and put it away before starting the interview.
  • Listen carefully to each question before giving your answer. It is okay to take your time answering questions and/or asking for clarification if you need to.
  • Try to stay engaged in the interview. 
    • Listen actively, respond with facial expressions or body language, and convey your interest.
    • Let the interviewer finish speaking before responding.
  • Have a water bottle on hand, if you would like one.

For In-Person Interviews

  • Be friendly to everyone you meet! Receptionists are often asked for their impression of you.
  • If possible, stand when people come into the room or are being introduced to you.
    • The people you meet will likely want to shake hands.
  • If your interview includes a meal, read up on table etiquette before you go.
    • Remember that this is not about food—you are still being interviewed. 
    • Order from the mid-price range on the menu, something easy to eat and not messy. 
    • Do not order alcohol. Do not speak with your mouth full. 
    • The person inviting you is expected to pay. Remember to thank them.
  • Body language should convey you are actively engaged in the conversation. This can look like:
    • Eye contact
    • Leaning forward
    • Nodding while the interviewer shares something interesting
    • Smiling
  • If there’s more than one interviewer, try to give all of them your attention or shift from person to person as you answer.

For Other Interview Formats

Phone Interviews

  • Phone interviews are often the first interaction you might have with an employer. It is therefore important to make sure that your voicemail is appropriate, professional, and not full.
  • Make sure your cellphone is charged and you are in a quiet area with no background noise.
  • Treat the phone interview as you would an in-person interview.
  • Some people find it helpful to be in front of a mirror and smile while speaking as this can influence the tone of your voice.
  • Have your resume and the job ad in front of you for reference.
  • Make sure you send a thank you (by email) afterwards.

Zoom Interviews

  • Treat a Zoom interview as an in-person interview.
  • Dress up (your bottom half, too) and have your resume, questions for the employer, and job announcement in front of you.
  • Make sure your computer or tablet is charged or plugged in, and that the background is bland, blank, blurred, or a chosen background.
  • Be sure you will not be disturbed during the interview by family, roommates, or pets.
  • Always send a thank you (by email) afterwards.

Interviews with AI or Chatbots

  • More companies are using AI or chatbots for interviews. This requires the same level of preparation, just a different focus. Whether you’re talking to a human or a robot, the goal is always to emphasize the stellar skills and experiences that got you the interview in the first place.
  • You might face a pre-recorded person, a blank screen, a video screen of your own image mirrored back to you, or the digital representation of a human being.
  • These interviews can include three to five questions with 30 seconds to prepare a response and up to two minutes to answer. The program might stop recording as soon as those two minutes are up. 
  • You may have an opportunity to practice the video format in a tutorial prior to starting the interview. If so, practice!

Strategies to help you stand out in any video interview:

  • Practice preparing prior to your interview. Understand the technology.
  • Pay attention to lighting and background. Use a well-lit, quiet, professional office setting.
  • Be concise, yet specific. The rule of three works well in short video interviews where a company will give you two minutes for each answer. The human mind is only capable of recalling three to five main points in short-term (working) memory. Give them three reasons to hire you, or three ways your skills will help the company make money, or three highlights from your resume, or a combination—but stick to a total of three.
  • Act natural.
  • If possible, try to make eye contact with the camera, but don’t be afraid to look away from time to time as you would in a natural conversation.
  • Try to act engaged and interested.
  • Don’t phone it in. This is your chance to secure a face-to-face interview with a real human as a next step!

Tip to remember: You don’t need to worry about building a rapport with the interview bot, however, you will be recorded. Employers may evaluate your body language and speaking skills. Try to maintain good posture, a confident tone, and eye contact. And remember that cameras can see up to 250 micro-expressions and movements that a human interviewer might miss (so be aware of your expressions).