Workplace

What’s the worst thing you can do during a job interview? No, it’s not showing up in torn jeans, sexy nightclub attire, or having a typo on your résumé. It’s being rude! And that doesn’t mean telling your interviewer to straighten their toupee, or pick the spinach out of their teeth. It’s your behavior that’s in question. Here’s the lowdown, from The Wall Street Journal:

• First, don’t get all huffy at the receptionist, especially if you’ve been kept waiting. Most interviewers ask their staff what they think of a job candidate. And if you're rude to them, they’ll assume you’re a rude person in general, especially to lower-level staff.
• Next, while you’re cooling your heels waiting for your interview, keep it all about business. In other words, stay off your cell phone, and resist the urge to read gossip magazines, even if they’re sitting on the lobby coffee table.
• Another no-no: Leaving your cell phone ON during your interview really crosses the line. But if it rings, don’t even THINK about answering it – no matter who it is. The interview is the only thing you should be paying attention to.
• Also, don’t be a “job snob.” In other words, don’t say things like “This position is just a stepping stone.” Instead, be humble, and appreciate of the opportunity to try for the job.
• Another job interview faux pas: Not allowing enough time. Arrive on time - and plan to stay for as long as it takes. You may think you’ll only need an hour – but if they like you, they may want you to stick around and meet somebody else. Remember, the best way to say, “I’m not interested in the job,” is to say “Sorry, I can’t meet the head boss. I have someplace to be.”
• Finally, if you want to ace that interview, be polite, say “please” and “thank you,” and keep your smile handy. Bottom line: Go out of your way to be pleasant – and the interviewer may go out of their way to offer you the job.