From hundreds of resumes, they selected yours. The interview is scheduled. How will you distinguish yourself from all of the other applicants?
Follow these primo pointers:
- Shower & brush your teeth.
- Don't chew gum.
- Leave your water bottle in the car.
- Don't wear anything too low-cut, too short, too tight, too peek-a-boo; no message t-shirts, holey jeans, slippers, pj bottoms, wife-beaters, wrinkled pants, flip-flops.
- Remove sunglasses, nose rings, loud bangles, & hats.
- Arrive on time. No excuses.
- Greet the receptionist.
- Turn off your cell phone.
- Avoid slang terms. (no problem, yeah, cool, I'm good, huh, um, like ah...)
- Do not complain, blame, or bad-mouth former employers.
- Sit up straight.
- Stand up to shake hands.
- Smile. (You want the job, right?)
- If you smoke, air out your clothes, & wash your hands prior to entering.
- Do not start with, "So, what are the benefits?" or When's my first raise?"
- Listen.
- Say, "Please." and "Thank you."
Competition is fierce. Putting on your "big-boy pants" doesn't mean that you are becoming your parents, selling-out, or getting old. There are still time-honored traditions and customs in the workplace; if followed, you will set yourself apart as a leader.
Rosalinda Randall is an Etiquette Consultant and Owner of Your Relationship Edge. She has been spreading civility throughout the San Francisco Bay Area and beyond for over fourteen years.
