Interview DOs and DON'Ts

Interview DOs

• Dress appropriately for the industry. 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.

• Treat other people you encounter with courtesy and respect. 

• 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.

• Even when your interviewer gives you a first and last name, address your interviewer by title (Ms., Mr., Dr.) and last name, until invited to do otherwise.

• 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. 

• Be thorough in your responses, while being concise in your wording.

• Be honest and be yourself — your best professional self.  

Interview DON'Ts

• Don't make excuses. Take responsibility for your decisions and your actions.

• Don't make negative comments about previous employers or professors (or others).

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

• Don't treat the interview casually, as if you are just shopping around or doing the interview for practice. 

• Don't give the impression you are only interested in salary.

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

• Don't chew gum or smell like smoke.

• Don't allow your cell phone to sound during the interview.