It was a wonderful Wednesday morning and the early morning sunshine had been caressing each new waking hour. We were preparing to conduct another session of interview with a view to employing more hands to join our training team. Having settled down, I thought I could go outside a while and take in some clean fresh air. Once, outside, a young man walked up to me. He tried saying something but paused for a while, sighed and then dismissed me with a wave of hand. I was still standing there wondering what he wanted when I sighted him taking a seat in our waiting room. Apparently, he is one of those applicants that we were expecting.
To save you the details, he became uneasy the moment he saw me heading the panel. He wished he had at least said “Good morning” when he met me at the office entrance.
Professional etiquette is one subject that is not likely to feature in your school curriculum. Yet many employers expect you to exude positive manners during your job search as well as during the interview process. Unfortunately, several applicants focus more on their resume and thus, make silly mistakes during interviews. As a job seeker, you must imbibe and demonstrate professional etiquette skills in order to create positive impression. The general conception is that the way you treat your employer, is the likely the way you will treat your clients and customers.
I am talking about simple, appropriate, respectful behaviour. Your manners can make or maim your image. In fact, business competence is measured with professional etiquette. No organisation would like their image to be dragged in the mud. Therefore, you increase your chances of being hired when you project a polished and a professional image. Since professional etiquette is important to your career, here are eight guidelines that can help you create a positive rapport.
Be courteous: Respect is reciprocal. The gate man you ignored or snubbed; the receptionist you harassed may have a say on whether or not to hire you. In fact, the man in simple trousers you shoved aside inside the elevator may turn out to be your interviewer and employer!
Be attentive: You can only learn when you listen. Listen to introductions and pick up names and their correct pronunciations. Listen to instructions and stick to it. Listen to questions and answer according.
Tame your hands: Keep your hands from wandering from one place to another. This is not the time to pick your nose, scratch your hair, cut your nails or worse still press your phone. In fact, your phone should be switched off and out of sight. Again, your handshake is expected to be warm and firm. Never offer a sweaty or shaky palm. Keep your nerves under control.
Strike a smile: When you smile, the world smiles with you. Your smile opens a window of opportunity for you. It depicts you in a positive light. It reflects your pleasant and amiable side. Apart from portraying your good human relations skill, it shows how confident and comfortable you are in your skin. Frowning on the other hand repels your interviewer. You are perceived as angry, aggressive, bitter, and frustrated.
Your body speaks: Mind your body language. Establish trust by maintaining good eye contact. Show confidence and maintain a good posture. Walk tall and sit up straight otherwise you will appear lazy and incompetent.
Punctuality is the soul of business: Applicants who arrive late at job interviews are likely to be disqualified. Endeavour to arrive on time and be settled before the interview starts. To keep your employer waiting is the height of irresponsibility and shows that you are unreliable. However, resist the temptation to arrive too early or you’ll appear too desperate.
Attitude is everything: Be at your best disposition. Lighten up and think positively. Show enthusiasm and maintain your self esteem. No matter how tensed up you are, this is not the best time for you to chew gum or reply your text messages. Have presence of mind and motivate yourself to success. Do not be rude. Dress in business-oriented clothing and comport yourself. Remember, this is not the right forum to bad-mouth anyone including your past employers.
Use your magic words: Imbibe the concept of ‘WOW’, which is, ‘Watch Our Words’. Words are powerful! Learn to use them judiciously. Words such as ‘please’, ‘excuse me’, ‘Thank you’, e.t.c., are magical and depict how polite you are. For instance, thank the interviewer after the session.
Unlike the young man in this story, you can show courtesy to people you meet in the office. You may never get a second chance to make a first impression.
CHIAMAKA BOBBY-UMEANO
