I recently posted 5 rules for job search etiquette to help you keep a positive and professional attitude during your job search. Here are 6 more job search etiquette rules to follow when working with recruiters or a potential employer.
- Make eye contact and stay engaged. Nothing says disinterest quite like a short attention span and wandering eyes, so pay attention. Whether you are meeting the hiring manager for the first time or having a phone conversation with the company receptionist. Learn how to stay focused on whatever it is you are doing.
- Watch your body language. How you carry yourself says as much about you as the information you put on your resume. Recruiters and hiring managers who are trained in behavioral interviewing know how important body language is in determining whether a job candidate is the right fit. Make sure you are communicating confidence and competence, not fear or arrogance.
- Check your ego at the door. Speaking of, it’s not unusual for executive candidates to carry their egos into an interview with them. Leave yours at home.
- Do not bad-mouth your previous job or boss. Regardless of what may have happened when you worked in a previous position, there is a way to explain your departure from the company or even your current situation without pointing the finger and bad-mouthing former colleagues and supervisors.
- Have a positive attitude. Get rid of desperation. Desperation is socially awkward. Instead of inspiring confidence, desperation tends to
provoke pity, and people distance themselves from those they pity. It doesn’t matter how long your job search has gone on or what your personal situation may be. The recruiter wants to know that you can deliver good results to the hiring organization. Never drag your personal tragedy into the interview room. - Show up prepared. There is a saying that luck is simply the point at which preparation and opportunity meet. When it comes to your job search, one cannot say enough about the importance of being prepared. That means showing up for every meeting on time and ready to get to work building. That means meeting with the recruiter and demonstrating the same finesse, professionalism and charm you would demonstrate when meeting with the actual hiring manager. That means know who you are, what you have to offer and to whom you will offer it. It means knowing your resume backwards and forward. Be prepared.
Remember, no matter how skilled and qualified you are for a position, the right fit for the company’s culture and team development is just as important as your knowledge. Present yourself in a confident, positive and approachable manner.