Winning Over Job Interviewer Pro Tip: Don’t Be A Jerk

A friend of mine just had one of the worst job interviews imaginable, but it wasn’t because the interview sucked, it was because he did.  It’s funny sometimes how people can be so oblivious when it comes to seemingly straight-forward things like finding work or even social situations, because that’s what job interviews essentially are, a way to sidle up to a person and convince them to like you enough to hire you.

But the best part of this all was that as my friend was recounting his interview to me, he had no idea how completely out of line he was coming off during the whole debacle and was instead outraged at the interviewer.  His zany antics smacked of Diana Abdala.  It was a level of uncouth obliviousness that only a “trust fund baby” could ever think was proper.

But the funny thing is that my friend isn’t rich himself.  He didn’t grow up with a silver spoon in his mouth.  He just thought what he was doing was okay.  What his interview showed me was that it doesn’t matter what your background is, when it comes to job interview and socializing in general, some people can just be downright awkward and/or rude just because they don’t know better.

Oh, and for those of you who don’t remember Diana Abdala, I’m jealous because I wished I could put her snobbery and entitled self out of my mind, as well.  This week marks the 5th year anniversary of when she first lit up the blogosphere back in February 2006.  Abdala had accepted a job with a small law firm, but when her employer had to cut her pay in order to hire an additional attorney, Abdala balked back like a spoiled child.  Certainly if I was in her position I’d be angry with my new boss, too; however unlike her, I wouldn’t have thrown a temper tantrum like she did.

Instead of politely declining the position because the lower pay, Abdala expounds on her need be paid enough to support her glamorous lifestyle, insults her would-be boss for his inadequacy as an attorney, and then caps the whole thing off with “bla bla bla” after he responds back.  Abdala is the epitome of every douchebag rich kid I went to law school with, which believe me, are in plentiful supply when you go to a tier one law school.  Not only does Abdala’s action show her immaturity, it also shows her inability to relate with people, a must for any good lawyer.

Anyway, at this point you might be wondering what my friend did that was so bad in his interview.  Well, in this case I don’t think it’s all that important to recount since to most people it should be obvious not to pull the kind of stunts he was doing.  Let’s just say it involved a lot of tardiness, a lot of sweat, and a lot of feet-on-table casualness.

But thankfully what I will convey to you is my top 5 tips on proper job interviewing etiquette.  You may be thinking where I get off telling you how to interview for a job.  You’d be right to question my credentials.  However what I can tell you is that these tips have always helped me land a job in a very short time and regardless should be tenets adhered to by everyone who wants to come off well in these sorts of social situations.

1)      Mimic your interviewer

This may sound kind of funny, but it’s the most important tip I can give anyone who is job hunting.  People subconsciously become more amenable to those who react and move in the same ways as they do, which in turns makes you more likely to be hired.  Now when I say mimic, I don’t mean copy everything your interviewer does exactly, because that’s just creepy.  What I mean is that you should adopt their mannerisms and adapt to their language use so that you come off similar to how they are, because after all we are naturally attracted to those that we think are like us.  Doing something as simple as crossing your legs in the same way as your interviewer or using the same terms they’re using can go a long way in making your interviewer more comfortable with you.

2)      Firm handshake

I’ll admit that this is an old one, but it’s still a good one.  A firm handshake subtly conveys confidence, a plus for any interview.  Now remember, don’t Vulcan death grip your interviewer, it just has to be firm enough so that it leaves a good impression.  Oh, and no one likes sweaty hands.

3)      Make good eye contact

This is another oldie, but a goody none the less.  Like with the firm handshake, eye contact also conveys confidence.  It also provides the more immediate bonus of letting your interviewer know you’re actually paying attention.  Again don’t be too creepy by staring relentlessly, just do it enough so that you seem confidently normal.

4)      Don’t fidget

Yeah I know this one can be hard especially during the nerve-racking process that is job interviewing, but please try to do this one.  Excessive moving, playing with your hands or hair, etc. can be a major turn off to potential employers.  Keep an open posture and feel free to talk with your hands if you need to, just don’t over do it.

5)      Smile

Who doesn’t like happy, pleasant and enthusiastic people?  Smiling conveys exactly that along with (once again) confidence.  Smile as soon as you first meet your interviewer and shake his or her hand.  Keep a welcoming exterior throughout the interview and be sure to end it on another smile.

Hopefully these tips will help you land the job you’ve been eyeing.