During the Interview                                                                                                         

• A firm brief handshake with eye contact and a smile is important to start the meeting.
• Wait to be seated and sit in the chair in a straight position.
• Try not to convey nervousness. Playing with items on a desk, swinging legs, or cracking knuckles will distract from your presentation.
• Maintain eye contact with the interviewer(s).
• Do not interrupt the interviewer. Listen to the questions carefully and do not respond until the question is asked.
• Speak with confidence and enthusiasm.
• If you do not know an answer to a question, do not pretend that you do.
• Take your time answering questions; be thoughtful in your answers.
• Remember to ask them what the next step is and when you can expect to hear from them.
• Be yourself!
• At the end of the interview ask for business cards.

Things to Avoid
 

• Do not take notes during an interview as it prevents you from focusing on your interviewer.
• Do not welcome yourself to the interviewer’s desk space by placing your portfolio or materials on the desk. It is best to keep it on your lap at all times.
• Do not chew gum or breath mints during the interview.
• Do not listen in on telephone conversations or read or inspect documents on an interviewer’s desk.
• If someone enters the office during the interview, you do not need to stand. It is only appropriate to stand if you are introduced to the person who has entered the room.
• Do not call an interviewer “sir” or “madam." Use the interviewer’s name in the interview, but do not overdo it.
• Do not criticize others, including past employers or associates.
• Do not give one- or two-word answers. It is best to develop answers that use your personal and professional history to prove how well you match the profile of the ideal candidate. To do this, find a way to make small stories, narratives, and examples for each of the possible questions that you might be asked.
• Remember not to overpower the interview.
• Do not use profanity, even if the interviewer does.
• Do not ask “Will I get the job?”
• Do not discuss salary until later in the process.
• Sharing jokes or being overly humorous during an interview could cast doubt on the seriousness of your candidacy. You should be reserved, because after all, the interview process is formal.