Interviewing:
Business Etiquette
Dress for Success
Consider this: Every interaction you have with a recruiter or company representative should be considered as part of the interview. It is unlikely that you would walk into a business interview wearing flip-flops, torn jeans, and/or revealing clothes. Every interaction with a company representative is an OPPORTUNITY to sell yourself. Start by creating a good first impression that's reflected in what you wear. Follow these tips to ensure that you hit the mark in a formal interview and in "business casual" events or activities.
General Guidelines
DO- Always look professional
- Dress for the audience
- Wear clothes that fit well
- Wear wrinkled or stained clothing
- Wear scuffed, noticeably old shoes
- Wear clothes with a sheen/shine to them
Interview Attire
There is an assumption that your interview attire represents you at your best. Recruiters cite a few areas where candidates fail to impress: out-of-date styles, slovenly appearance, and a too-casual look. The following are examples of what is appropriate to wear and what is not appropriate to wear.Men and Women:
DO- Wear a two-piece suit (black or other dark color)
- Have a well-groomed hairstyle
- Use a breath mint before greeting recruiter
- Carry a nice briefcase or portfolio
- Wear a suit with sandals or sneakers
- Style your hair in an unusual style or color
- Use too much cologne or perfume
- Display visible body piercings (i.e., tongue ring, multiple earrings in one ear)
- Wear more than one ring on each hand (wedding/engagement ring is acceptable)
- Display visible body art (cover it with clothing)
- Carry a backpack
Women:
DO
- Wear a white, off-white, or neutral-colored blouse with a conservative neckline
- Wear closed-toe leather pumps with low to medium heels
- Wear black or skin colored hosiery
- Carry a briefcase or portfolio in place of handbag or purse
- Wear understated makeup
- Wear small stud earrings
- Wear subtle nail polish, if at all
- Wear ill-fitting (short, tight, clingy, or slit) skirts; hem higher than one to two inches above the knee when standing
- Wear open-toe strappy high heels, sandals, or shoes with decorations
- Wear dangly or oversized earrings
Men:
DO- Wear long-sleeved shirt in white or light blue
- Wear conservative necktie in color and pattern
- Wear high-fitting dark socks
- Wear business-style leather shoes
- Match shoe and belt color
- Wear tie with cartoon characters, less-than-serious graphics, or theme ties
- Wear light-colored socks with dark suit
- Mix black and brown
Business Casual Attire
There are many opportunities, outside of interviews, to interact with representatives or recruiters from companies to which you are interested in applying. Whether it is a career fair, a seminar, or an informational session, deliver a strong impact. This is your opportunity to make a great first impression.While it may not be required to wear a suit, it is important to dress appropriately. The following are some examples of what to wear and what not to wear in these circumstances. These guidelines may also be used for a company with a business casual dress code. The above are general guidelines for interviews and business functions. However, for a specific company event, function or interview, don't hesitate to call the company recruiter or human resources representative to ask for a few tips on appropriate attire. If you hear the term "Business Casual" you may want to probe a little more; business casual may be interpreted differently from one organization to another.
Men:
DO- Wear khakis, chinos or gabardine trousers
- Wear a collared shirt, either polo-style or button down
- Wear a belt
- Wear T-shirts and jeans
- Wear sneakers, sandals
- Wear your shirttail out
- Wear T-shirt with a logo (except company's logo)
- Wear caps
- Wear sports/active wear
Women:
DO- Wear slacks or skirt
- Wear sleeveless top with jacket or sweater
- Wear hosiery or socks
- Wear poorly coordinated outfits
- Wear humorous attire or accessories
- Wear shirts that show midriff
- Wear shorts
- Wear ultra-short skirts (more than 2" above the knee)
- Wear T-shirt with a logo (except company's logo)
- Wear camisoles
- Wear sports/active wear
- Wear flip-flops
Telephone Etiquette
At all times during your job search, be prepared for unexpected calls from employers or networking contacts.- Make sure your cell and home phone answering machines have outgoing messages that are professional and to the point.
- Let roommates or other household members know that you are expecting employer calls and ensure that they take detailed messages.
- If you are not prepared to talk to an employer at the time, do not answer the phone; you can always call back later. For instance, do not answer when on the T or when at a noisy party.
- Always answer with a simple "Hello" or "Hello, this is..."
Dining Etiquette
Interview processes can sometimes include an invitation to lunch or dinner with a recruiter or hiring manager. Do not be fooled — even though the situation may seem more relaxed than a formal interview, it is still an evaluatory situation and it is best to be prepared. In addition to following the Dress for Success and behavior tips included in other sections of this manual, it is important to follow several rules of etiquette:- Do not drink alcohol at the meal unless the host presses (and you are over 21), in which case do not have more than one drink.
- The utensils are used from the outside (for salad) in (for the entrée).
- Use your napkin sparingly. Place it on your lap when you sit down and lightly brush your lips when needed. Do not use it to blow your nose!
- Take undesirable foods out the same way they went in (i.e., with your fork or hand). This attracts less attention than trying to discretely spit it into a napkin.
- Place all used utensils on a flat dish so that they do not touch the table.
- Cut one piece of food at a time.
- Break off one piece of bread at a time and butter it individually.
- Close your mouth when chewing. Do not make noises, do not talk with your mouth full, and no elbows on the table. Sit up straight (everything your parents taught you)!
- Stick to simple, easy-to-eat foods such as chicken breast, vegetables or fish. Rice, spaghetti, and dishes that are loaded with sauces can be difficult to maneuver. Keep in mind that cherry tomatoes can cause quite a splash if you bite into them quickly!
- Do not dip your food into sauces, olive oil, or other dips. Place a little bit on your plate before using.
- Eat a normal amount of food—not very little, not a huge quantity. Follow your host's lead in terms of pace.
- Interpersonal skills are vital in this setting as in all others. Keep the conversation on business and other non-controversial topics — avoid bringing up religion, politics or parties.
- Do not make an issue out of your dietary restrictions. Do not smoke, chew gum or answer your cell phone.
- Consider the cost; follow the host's lead or stick with a medium-cost dish.
- Do not fight over the check. The host will pay.
- Be polite to everyone in the restaurant. Everything you do makes an impression.
"Netiquette"
Email is used so frequently in correspondence these days that it is easy to dash off a note without paying proper attention to the reception it will get when it is received. As addressed in other sections, whether to email or write a handwritten thank-you note will depend on the company and industry you are trying to enter, but there are some general rules that you can follow to ensure that you make the best possible impression with every email that you send:- Don't overdo it. Busy professionals often have overflowing mailboxes; do not flood them with emails.
- Pay attention to employer requests. For example, if they specifically state "no emails," follow their guidelines.
- Make sure that the email address you are using for your job search is professional. Your BU address is the best. No witty email names.
- The subject line of an email should catch attention and be specific. No vague "hellos." Be professional.
- Spell check! Follow professional writing standards and be polite. Proofread!
- Avoid emoticons or email jargon/abbreviations. Do not write in all caps or all lowercase.
- When forwarding messages, delete extraneous address information. Leave only the important content.
- Let the recipient know what program attachments were created in.
- Send important emails to yourself first to check on formatting.
- Do not share recruiters' email information if they share it with you — respect their privacy.
- When replying to a question, copy only the question into the new message and provide your answer. Do not send answers with no context.
- Address and sign all emails. For example: "Dear Mr. ...:". Include your full contact information including address, phone, and email. You may wish to establish a professional automatic signature that will appear on all of your outgoing email messages.
- Do not label a message as "Important" if it is not.
- Choose words carefully to convey the appropriate tone.
- REMEMBER: You never know to whom an email will get forwarded! Do not write in an angry or frustrated mood; you might regret hitting "Send."
- Proofread again and again!
