Before and After an Interview Etiquette - From A Recruiter’s Perspective
Congratulations, so you’re preparing an interview for an amazing position! Now it's time to prepare and put your best foot forward.
From a recruiter’s perspective, what happens before and after the interview is just as important as the interview itself. In this blog post, we'll cover the etiquette you should follow before and after an interview to make the best impression.
Before the Interview Etiquette
✓ Lean on your recruiter to ask the right questions
Your recruiter has already developed a relationship with the company you are interviewing for and they want you to succeed as much as you do.
Lean on your recruiter and get as much information from them as possible about the position, who exactly you are interviewing with, if there are any specific points you should hit during your interview, what exactly the company is looking for, etc.
✓ Research the Company
The first thing you should do before any job interview is to research the company thoroughly. Look up their website, read their mission statement, learn about their products or services, and check out their LinkedIn profiles. This information will help you tailor your answers to their specific needs and show that you're genuinely interested in the company.
Who are you interviewing with? Do they have a strong presence on LinkedIn? Have they written a book or published any of their work? What types of customers does this company solve pain points for? These are the types of questions you should be asking yourself while preparing for your interview.
Pro Tip: If you are interviewing at a software company, see if you can get into a sandbox version of their software and play around with it, or even go into their Customer Education Academy and watch videos to understand the software.
✓ “Why Do You Want To Work Here?”
When an interviewer asks the age-old question, “Why do you want to work here?”, we strongly advise that you do not simply state that you are interviewing because a recruiter reached out to you.
As recruiters, we’ve seen countless high quality candidates get passed up on a job opportunity because they were only interested about the job position, but not passionate about the company as a whole. When the classic “why do you want to work here” question comes, be prepared to explain your passion for the company as well as the job position.
✓ Dress Appropriately
You want to make a great first impression, and that starts with your appearance. Dressing appropriately for the interview is crucial. You don't have to wear a suit and tie for every interview, but you should dress professionally and conservatively. For example, avoid wearing a baseball cap during the interview.
✓Arrive on Time
Nowadays, your interview will most likely be on a Zoom call. Be sure to arrive on time to your meeting link and avoid being late. Being punctual shows you are not only respectful of the interviewer’s time, but that you are respectful of time as a whole as well.
Plan to arrive at least 10-15 minutes early to allow for any unexpected delays if you are attending an in-person interview.
✓ Turn off Your Notifications
Before you go into the interview, make sure your phone is turned off or set to silent. You don't want it ringing or vibrating during the interview and distracting you or the interviewer. If you need to use your phone to navigate to the interview location, turn off the sound and put it away before you go into the meeting.
After the Interview Etiquette
✓ Send a Thank You Email
Sending a thank-you email is a polite way to show your appreciation for the interviewer's time and consideration. Send a brief email very soon after the interview was conducted.
Express your gratitude for the opportunity to interview, reiterate your interest in the position and the company, and briefly summarize your qualifications.
✓ Follow Up
If you haven't heard back from the interviewer after a few days, it's okay to follow up with a polite email or phone call. Express your continued interest in the position and company and ask if there's any additional information you can provide. But don't be too pushy or demanding - remember that the interviewer is likely busy and may need more time to make a decision.
Remember to always lean on your recruiter and check in with them regarding updates about your interview.
✓ Be Professional
Even if you don't get the job, it's essential to maintain a professional attitude. Thank the interviewer for their time and consideration and express your continued interest in the company. You never know when another opportunity might arise, and you want to leave a positive impression.
In conclusion, proper etiquette before and after a job interview can help you make a great first impression, show your professionalism, and leave a lasting impression. Remember to do your research, lean on your recruiter, dress appropriately, arrive on time, turn off your phone, send a thank-you note, follow up, and be professional. Good luck!
