Also see:  Under construction
Typical interview format
Interview attire
Sample questions
Sample questions for teaching candidates
Behavioral interviewing
Researching employers — why and how
Questions to ask the employer
Responding to salary questions
On-site interviews
Dining Etiquette
Interview expenses
After your interviews / follow up / thank-you letters
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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. This is an insult to the interviewer and to
    the organization.
  • Don't give the impression that you are only
    interested in an organization because of its
    geographic location.
  • Don't give the impression you are only interested in
    salary; don't ask about salary and benefits issues
    until the subject is brought up by your interviewer.
  • Don't act as though you would take any job or are
    desperate for employment.
  • 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.
  • Don't be unprepared for typical interview
    questions. You may not be asked all of them in
    every interview, but being unprepared looks foolish.
  • 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.
    Her marital status 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. (If it does, apologize quickly and ignore
    it.) Don't take a cell phone call.  
  • 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.)
Interview DOs and DON'Ts
Interview DOs
  • 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.
  • Treat other people you encounter with courtesy and
    respect. Their opinions of you might be solicited during
    hiring decisions.
  • 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.  Dishonesty gets
    discovered and is grounds for withdrawing job offers
    and for firing. You want a good match between
    yourself and your employer. If you get hired by acting
    like someone other than yourself, you and your
    employer will both be unhappy.
  • Treat the interview seriously and as though you are
    truly interested in the employer and the opportunity
    presented.
  • Exhibit a positive attitude. The interviewer is
    evaluating you as a potential co-worker. Behave like
    someone you would want to work with.
  • Have intelligent questions prepared to ask the
    interviewer. Having done your research about the
    employer in advance, ask questions which you did not
    find answered in your research.
  • Evaluate the interviewer and the organization s/he
    represents. An interview is a two-way street. Conduct
    yourself cordially and respectfully, while thinking
    critically about the way you are treated and the values
    and priorities of the organization.
  • Do expect to be treated appropriately. If you believe
    you were treated inappropriately or asked questions
    that were inappropriate or made you uncomfortable,
    discuss this with a Career Services advisor or the
    director.
  • Make sure you understand the employer's next step in
    the hiring process; know when and from whom you
    should expect to hear next. Know what action you are
    expected to take next, if any.
  • 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.