http://www.timesdaily.com/arti...ir-best-foot-forward
It's been about eight years since I've personally conducted a job interview. And at that former place of employment I frequently interviewed young people in the 18 to 25 age range. I do remember that basic questions like, "Why are you interested in working for us?" seemed to stupify some of them but I don't recall any issues with etiquette.
So I am shocked that college graduates would be so careless as to answer their cell phones or return text messages during a job interview. Do they really not know any better than that? Would common sense not tell them it is rude?
To any of you high school or college grads looking for that first real job, some advice:
You can be trained to do almost anything. Potential employers are not expecting you to know how to dock a spaceship with the space station or how to split the atom, right out of school. The major challenge for employers is finding people with a positive attitude and a willingness to learn.
Dress appropriately for the interview - maybe a step up from the dress code of the business. Arrive a few minutes early. Smile and make eye contact with the interviewer. (And be nice to the administrative assistant; she/he has influence). Since you don't yet have job experience, play up what you do have. For example, if you were voted "Friendliest" by your senior class that would tell me that your peers found you to be an outgoing and engaging person - again, great qualities that employers look for.
It's a tough job market out there so get a leg up on the competition. This is basic stuff.
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