job interview etiquette

job interview etiquette questions and answers

Learn about job interview etiquette at the number one young investor website Teen Analyst.

Q: Etiquette for Job Interview.?
My husband in having an interview for a high-level manager position in London with the company's director, and he has asked me to help him to pick out his suit. I am sure that a classic business suit is always OK, but I am not sure if trends are changing in this matter, is it ok as well if he wears a nice blazer and no tie? What are the colors for men this season? I know London is a fashion Mecca and I want him to look "smart". Can anyone give me ideas and answers please? Thanks so much!

A: Given the level of the position, a suit is a must. A lot is made of the first impression... No tie might be intrepreted as "He does not really take this seriously". Stick with the basics - a dark blue suit and black shoes. A bold tie (think power tie of the 80s) is preferred, but make sure it is tastefully bold and not just bright and ugly. Of course, if your husband is interviewing for an Internet or other free-wheeling-culture type employer, the response will instead be, "Who is the stiff in the suit?"

Q: proper etiquette for a job interview. Is it okay to ask follow up questions after an interview via e-mail?


A: Yes. It shows interest in the position. Always thank an interviewer for their time after the interview.

Q: Question for entrepreneurs: What is the best way to offer a job or reject an applicant after an interview?
I’m a new business owner & need advice on interview etiquette. This is a non-corporate setting, I own a medium sized family entertainment center and most of my applicants are high school or college students as well as a few stay-at-home mothers looking for part time work When/how is the best way to offer a job? In what way (if any) should I respond to unsuccessful interviews where no job is offered? Input with as many details as you can spare is greatly appreciated (especially a sample of a job offer and rejection). Because of the sheer volume of applications I have to turn a lot of them away. Do most business owners call and tell prospects they are not needed or can they imply it by not calling? When offering the job, is there a protocol of what to say (ie; "We would like to extend to offer you a position of a party host, the pay is $11/per hour") or is there no set standard? This may sound like a redundant question, but I'm going from stay at home mom to a business owner, so the role itself is a stretch for me.

A: Easiest way to offer a job would to simply state which hours and days are available and see if that is OK with the applicant. If it's not try to find out exactly how flexible they are and if you can work with them and them with you. You should not tell the person during the interview that they did not get the job. It's a lot easier to tell them you will let them know within a week. The simplest way to tell someone they didn't get the job would be to call and tell them, "I'm sorry the position has been filled, but if you want us to keep your application on file for future openings we will do so." As long as you are honest to the prospective employees you should have no problems finding the right people.

Q: What can I expect to be asked in a job interview?
I'm a 15 year old, and I applied for a job at Chick-Fil-A and they obviously have an interest in me since I finally got feedback from the employer. This is my first job I've gotten feedback on, and I really want to get the job since I want income. Unfortuantely I don't really know about interviews for jobs. Does anyone know what an employer at a fast food chain might ask a teenager in reguards to their job/experience/etc.? Also, what type of etiquette should I use upon entering the interview? Clothes, Shoes, Hair? I have prescription drugs called Percocet that I took for leg pain prescribed from my surgeon. If a drug test is done on me, will this hurt me?

A: Testing positive for Percocet shouldn't cause you any problems as long as you disclose that you're on a prescription for it temporarily on the form you'll fill out before the test. Now about the interview. Go in dressed nicely. Wear nice slacks (didn't notice your gender, sorry) or skirt/dress. Nice shirt & shoes. Make sure everything is clean and pressed. Go in groomed nicely & looking great. Make sure you smile and breathe deeply so you'll be more relaxed. The Chick Fil A here wants to see the applicant dressed as if they're interviewing in a "corporate casual" environment (for a guy this would be dockers & button down shirt with dress shoes, for a girl it would be a nice skirt & blouse or slacks and button down shirt). Bring a copy of your resume or maybe a recommendation letter from a teacher, someone you volunteered for, a close family friend or your pastor. Being a Christian company the pastor might be a good one to include whether or not you bring one of the others. They'll ask you about your experience if you have any customer interaction experience or whatever. They'll want to know how you handle various situations (how would you handle a customer who is upset about getting a wrong order?). They'll ask how you deal with people, if you are good with making change and how good you are in a fast paced environment. here is a site that gives good interview advice: http://www.free-resume-help.com/interview-answers.html

Q: Macy's Job Interview?
Hi, I am a 16 year old who applied for a job at Macy's in California. I filled out the online application, and then received an email asking me to come in for a group interview for stock-sales support. I have had past work experience at at sandwich shop, but that is really all. The interview for that job was easy, but I am sure that the Macy's interview will be more formal and intense. I was wondering what I should wear, what I should bring, what questions should I practice, what questions I should ask, and other interview etiquette. I really need this job because I am hella broke, so please give me some advice on how to land the job.

A: i went into a macy's interview to do sales support but they put me on as a sales associate. i eventually talked my way back into sales support-really hated dealing with customers. its not that formal. the good thing about sales support is your limited interaction with customers so you are not expected to have selling skills. they won't ask you as many customer service questions as someone applying to work out on the sales floor. tell them you are organized, work well in a team, you are a problem solver and you know how to prioritize-that's what they need their sales support staff to be like. wear a pair of slacks and a dress shirt (maybe with a tie, just in case) and after you answer their questions, ask about the job (not the paycheck) so the interview doesn't seem one-sided. as long as you have a good personality and work well with others, you'll get the job-no experience required.

Q: What is the proper etiquette when just starting a new job and another company is wants to interview you...?
...for possibly more money?

A: What is the etiquette for a company you just started in that wants to get rid of you for another person for less money....... There is nothing wrong with it. You are in it for the satisfaction of employment and its perks. If this one doesnt suite you or another better opportunity opens then I say GO FOR IT......

Q: Do you tell in a job interview if you're pregnant?
I just found out I am about 4 wks pregnant. I have a third job interview next week and was wondering what the etiquette is about letting them know or not.

A: No! While this is not suppose to be a factor in hiring, etc, it is. No one will tell you that you didn't get the job because you're pregnant, but you will probably not be hired. Get the job first. Get settled in. Then a few weeks later or longer say, "oops, I found out I'm pregnant, but I promise it will not interfere with my work performance." You cannot be fired for being pregnant (legally), but many places won't hire you. You are a risk, you may become a stay at home mom. You may be looked upon as unreliable because when the kid is sick, who stays home with it...the mom does. Don't tell what they don't need to know.

Q: In a job interview, How would you answer this question? what are the etiquettes?
What's the salary you expecting to make in our company?

A: "Money isn't the only thing that's important to me, but it is important. I'll be considering all the factors when I look at your offer." or "I don't know -- what do you make? I figure I'll be worth twice as much to this worthless company."

Q: need some job interview advice!?
i dont have the greatest work history. i am a young mother who hasnt worked in a little over a year because i took some time off to stay at home with my 3 year old. when i was 17, i went to trade school and graduated with a certificate to work as a receptionist in a dr. office and now im in the process of going back to college to become a pharmacy technician to really get my career in medical going. last night i applied at walgreeens as a pharmacy tech even though i have not yet gone to school to become one and i found out that in oklahoma, you can become one even if you havent gone to school, but you have 18 months to get certified. i got a call today from them and i have a job interview with them tomorrow and i need some good tips on interview etiquette and how to explain my not so great work history and such. any good pointers would be very much appreciated so i can get a good career and get my life really going! thanks!

A: Don't be negative on your work history. What does your resume look like? You don't say how old you are now, but you could say your work history is similar to other young adults. You didn't take it all that seriously and such, but now you've found a focus. You're getting ready to attend school and excited about your new choice of a career path. You are looking forward to being able to immediately apply what you are learning to the workplace. Things like that. Confidence and enthusiasm are your friends here.

Q: Is it bad etiquette to tell a potential job interviewer that you have other interviews lined up?
When you are scheduling the interview, can you say that you can't make it at a certain time because you have another interview already scheduled?

A: NOT AT ALL! Just as you know they are interviewing other clients, they should know you are interviewing other companies. The interviewers who knew I had other interviews lined up called me 7 days faster to offer me a job than those who thought they were the only one.

Q: How do you handle multiple job interviews or offers?
How about when you want one job and are still waiting for the interview but you've already been offered another job? Is there a certain etiquette so you don't seem duplicitous? Do you take the offer with the other job? If you get the job you want, should you quit the other job even if you've only worked there for a few days?

A: Don't take a job that you really aren't wanting if it isn't your first choice. What you should do is ask for some time while you are waiting for the offer you want. If you want job A and job B has given you an offer tell job A that you need some time to consider the offer. Give them a deadline (no more than a few days, up to a week) and tell them you will make your decision by then. Tell job B that you require an answer by a certain time and then wait. You can also let them know that there are other offers on the table but your first choice is them so you are anticipating their offer, should you get one. This is the best etiquette and by far the most professional one. Most companies know that good prospects will be aggressive in their job search and will be interviewing with multiple companies and may possibly receive various offers. It is okay to let them know the truth. Definitely don't take a job offer only to quit a few days later. It is bad business practice and you will be burning a bridge that you may need to cross later on. You are also going to be wasting your time as well as those of the company that hired you on. Remember that they hired you in good faith that you actually wanted that job so you are also putting yourself in a position of being dishonest. You don't want to develop a bad reputation in any industry as it could haunt you later on -- plus you don't know who knows who.

Q: What is proper etiquette job finding?
If I am having trouble finding a job and no one is calling me for an interview, do I be proactive and call these people or just wait for a reply back? I've submitted my resume on Friday and its now Tuesday. But, considering being the holidays I would think they need people. Is it wrong to call and would that be bothersome? How do I not sound demanding on calling the employer and asking about whether I can be considered? Or do I just wait?

A: Have you listed your resume on monster.com? If not, do that. There are a lot of headhunters/recruiters who post on that website - they are do to handle these situations for you, and to follow up with prospective employers. You don't have to do anything except interact with the headhunter. The headhunter makes a commission if she gets you a job, so she will actively be hunting for jobs and following up on resumes that have been sent to prospective employers. Otherwise, it's perfectly fine to call and ask whether your resume has been received. You should definitely call if you've been interviewed already. However, keep in mind that this is the holidays and many people are probably out of town. One call or voice mail message is sufficient. Otherwise, don't waste your time on one or two potential jobs - keep searching.

Q: What kind of etiquette do you use when establishing a job contact?
I recently graduated college and am starting to search for serious careers. In the process I have come across situations where contacts of others in my field have offered help, but I am completely clueless on the etiquette necessary here. In this case, my uncles wife has offered to get me some interviews, but my question is, what do i do? Call her and say, "so can you get me a job?" any advice here? im sorry louis I dont think I understand your answer?

A: You treat them like any other business contact and use business etiquette. at the time that they offer you tell them "yes thank you." and you give them your contact info and get theirs and set up a time when you can get back with them about who you need to speak with. you go on the interview whether you're interested in the job or not. You don't have to take the job if it's offered but the interviewing process is good practice so when you do get on the interview you want you are ready for it. you send your aunt (or whoever set up the interview for you) a thank you note for their assistance in your job search after you complete the interview. If you get the job and accept it then it would be nice if you sent them a small gift of appreciation. as to the interviewer--you know to touch base with them and to send them a thank you note for the interview as well. The thank you note keeps you fresh in their mind and shows that you are considerate and have good manners and it is appreciated. since your opportunity has come and gone with your aunt. Call her up and remind her that she offered to help you and let her know that you are interested and you'd like to know with whom you need to speak. Good Luck.

Q: What is proper etiquette for following-up an interview?
I interviewed for a position recently and left very confident that I had the job. I was told they would have a decision "by the end of August," and they wouldn't keep me in suspense long. I called last week to follow-up and was told that by the end of that week I "should hear from them" and that they've been extremely busy lately. Would it be rude for me call a second time following the interview? I feel extremely confident about the job, but they apparently are busy in the office and haven't had time to review applicants. The position is at a major university and I understand that sometimes they tend to take a while to make decisions. I hope calling a third time isn't too rude. Afterall, the squeaky wheel gets the grease, right?

A: no, the squeaky wheel gets oiled (and put in the no hire bin - because who wants to hire a squeaky wheel?). You don't want to appear over-anxious or pushing that they're not moving fast enough for you. Here is what I would do. Send a typed letter to who you interviewed with, thank them for their time, mention your continued interest, and let them know that you'll contact them in 2 weeks in case they have any additional questions. Then wait. A slightly risky approach is to mention that you believe that this job is an excellent fit, and were expecting to start soon and had stopped your career search, but to please let you know if there will be continued delays so that you can renew your job search. That way, you're not "threatening" them with another job, but letting them know you're not going to hang out there forever waiting for them.

Q: Etiquette on applying for a job in order to get more info on it.?
For example, I find a job that sounds interesting and that I may qualify for. However, there is no salary stated and the exact job duties/environment/longevity/travel ect.. are not detailed enough. So that leaves many holes like the job may not pay enough, I may not be qualified, or some other details. Is it ok to apply for a job just to find out more about it? If I am concerned about the salary should I state this before an interview so not to waste anybodies time? Should I put salary requirements on all resumes and applications? Should this just be the minimum I would except? Is there a difference in etiquette when applying for another job within your company or a job with a new company?

A: Companies are trying to negotiate more and more with the general public in regards to the overinflated salaries of the mortgage industry that as you may know is in the dumps. So companies stopped posting salaries as a norm, they choose to mkae you show them what you have made so as not to overpay you for a service that they can get for a lower price since there are now many mortgage people out of work. Good Luck and remember its good to be upfront in regards to money as long as you are willing to share what you made.