This is a very significant consideration for many people. For most individuals, the best recommendation would be scheduling interviews first thing in the morning. Most people feel and look fresher in the morning- and since offers and turn downs are sometimes decided by the smallest of factors, make use of even the slightest advantage.
No man would want to show up for a 5:00 P.M. interview wearing a "5 o'clock shadow."
Women who get up at the crack of dawn to do their hair, and whatever else they do to look attractive at the office, are just defeating their purpose when they schedule an interview right after a long, tough day at the office. Of course, both men and women could bring extra clothes and grooming aids to the office, and freshen up a bit before a late interview-but it is a lot easier to schedule them in the morning, whenever possible.
Where
That free lunch can be quite costly. There are pros and cons to the preferred locations for interviews. There is nothing wrong with being interviewed over lunch or dinner providing:
- The restaurant selected is appropriate for a comfortable private conversation. It is just not satisfactory to have an interview over lunch where it is noisy, crowded, and the tables are so close that your elbows are practically touching the diners next to you. This kind of setting utterly ruins any hope of a good interview! You must have both comfort and privacy for an effective interview.
- If you are going to be interviewed over dinner, then make sure your table manners are good. Trying to impress the inter-viewer with a mouth full of food just will not work. Some people can handle dinner conversation very smoothly, while others come off looking very sloppy and awkward.
- Can you maintain your edge with as little as one drink? Some of us can while some of us cannot. If one drink has any negative effect on you whatsoever, then do not drink at all just before or during the interview! On the other hand, one drink might make you relax and feel better during the interview. You have to be your own judge.
If the interviewer declines a drink at dinner, then you do the same-even if you would really like one. Many people who do not drink are offended when someone else does. Let good judgement and common sense prevail.
4. If the interviewer does not smoke, let that be a message. If you are a smoker but see no telltale signs that the interviewer is one too, then always ask, "Do you mind if I smoke?" It makes no difference whether you smoke cigarettes, cigars, or pipe. In fact, if you suspect that the interviewer does not smoke, then do not bring up the subject and do not smoke during the interview. There are some people who are so offended by smokers, that they might not hire you for that reason alone. If the interview is over lunch or dinner, be considerate and do not smoke at the table before the food is served. An exception might be made if the interviewer smokes before dinner-then you may go ahead. Same thing applies after dinner. Anyone who smokes during dinner ought to "be hung out to dry."
If you feel that you will have a "nicotine fit" if you do not smoke during the interview, then go ahead and ask. Most likely the interviewer will say "go ahead," but again use good judgment and common sense. If you must smoke during an interview, then limit your smoking to cigarettes. Cigars smell too strongly-unless the interviewer is smoking one too.
Miscellaneous Advice
If you happen to have an interview take place at the employer's office, here are a couple of suggestions:
- Men should be friendly-but strictly business-with the boss's secretary. No wise guy flirtations! She may be superficially receptive, but chances are all you did was encourage her to report back to her boss that you tried to "come on" to her. She may make it sound much worse than it actually was. So, never mix business and pleasure.
- If you have to wait in the outer office for a few minutes, do not just sit there like "a bump on a log." Bring something with you to read, or at least grab a magazine which will probably be available. Having made you wait fifteen or twenty minutes-and then coming out to find you slouched in your seat doing absolutely nothing-will not impress the boss with your ability to manage your time well.
- No matter where your interview is held, always show up just a few minutes before the interview is scheduled. Arriving five to ten minutes early is perfect. Arriving right on time is okay. Avoid playing it too close. Arriving late is absolutely terrible! Obviously, being a few minutes late is not as terrible as an hour, but do not assume that arriving a few minutes late is all right, because it is not. Arriving late causes a negative impression "right off the bat." Why start an interview being in the hole?
- If you see that you are going to be even a few minutes late, then by all means have the common sense to call ahead and let the interviewer know that you will be late. This is obviously not as good as arriving on time, but at least it shows you have used some common courtesy.
