Eight No-Brainers for In-Person Interviews That You Must Get Right

Image: Ahmet Kurt / Unsplash

You might think that in-person interviews are a thing of the past, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. While much of the recruitment process is now takes place over video, the final rounds are still almost always done face-to-face.

Consider the in-person interview as the final boss of recruitment. You can’t win the game without acing it.

Here are eight things that might seem obvious - but you absolutely need to get them right each and every time you interview in person.

1. Get there on time

This one sounds like an obvious no-brainer, and it should be. If you can’t adequately plan to arrive on time, why should a hiring manager trust you to handle critical business functions?

Excuses such as “my train was late” or “I couldn’t find parking” just won’t cut it, especially if you’re expecting a sizeable salary in a field that’s all about anticipating problems such as Supply Chain or Logistics.

My advice is: get to the area early and find a nearby coffee shop to sit in until it’s time for your meeting. Arriving early will also help you calm any pre-interview nerves. Better to be prepared than to rush.

2. BUT don’t show up too early

Look, I know some of you are eager to make a good impression. However, turning up early and loitering in reception can look and feel awkward.

Time it so you walk in the door, say, 5 minutes early. Anything more, and it looks like you’ve got nowhere else to be.

3. Dress and groom appropriately

Here, your job is to demonstrate two things. The first is that you are taking the interview seriously and treating it with the right amount of respect. The second is that you look like you’ll fit in.

So, make sure you are presentable. Style your hair properly and, if you’re a man, keep any facial hair tidy. Wear anti-perspirant. If the meeting is later in the day, make sure you brush your teeth beforehand – onion breath from lunch is never going to leave a great impression.

Make sure your clothes are clean, ironed, and appropriate for a business meeting. Choose your outfit with the interview in mind, not to show off your amazing fashion sense.

Remember, if you need advice on appropriate interview attire for a particular workplace, ask your recruiter.

4. Go easy on the scent

Some interviews take place in big expansive boardroom. More often, they’ll be in smaller offices or meeting rooms.

Strong perfume or cologne is a no-no, as it’s hard for an interviewer to look on a candidate favourably when they are struggling to breathe.

If you are going to wear fragrance, choose something calming rather than exciting, and use half your usual amount.

5. Be polite to everyone you meet

This falls under the category of “being a decent human being.”

It goes without saying that you should treat everyone at the company you are applying for with decency and respect, regardless of their role or job title. That includes reception staff, security staff, the person who offers you water, and anyone you run into inside a lift.

If, for whatever reason, this doesn’t come as second nature to you, remember: hiring managers talk to everyone you encounter during the process.

6. Arrive prepared

Pre-interview prep is a topic for a series of posts all of its own. Here, I’m talking about the things you need to bring with you on the day.

If you have presentation materials on a laptop, make sure you have a charger and a video adapter (usually HDMI).

Take a backup copy of your presentation on a USB– just in case.

As old-fashioned as it sounds, printed versions of your CV are a must. They can serve as a handy reference point for both you and the interviewer. Bring a copy for everyone in the meeting, and one or two extra just in case.

Also, it’s good to have a packet of breath mints in your pocket or bag. (See “onion breath” above.)

7. Stay. Off. Your. Phone.

This one holds true from the moment you enter the building to the moment you leave.

No social media, no YouTube videos, no voice messages, no phone calls.

Nothing good can come of any of these things while you’re in an interview situation.

The only exception is if you get a message from your interviewer.

Otherwise, stay off your phone. Use the time to be present and focussed.

8. Don’t relax until you’re well and truly out the door

Some candidates forget that they’re still making an impression even after the interview ends. It’s important that you don’t do the same.

Make sure you thank everyone who was in the meeting. Offer to help clean up any water glasses or coffee cups you used during the interview. Put your chair back neatly.

And say a polite goodbye to the reception staff as you leave.

If you’re not sure when you can relax and let your guard down, a good rule of thumb is to wait until you’re at least 500 metres away from the interviewer’s office.

If that seems excessive to you, let’s just say that confidentiality prevents me from sharing some of the post-interview disasters I’ve heard about…

A final note

I’ve called these eight points “no brainers.” And to many people, they’ll seem totally obvious.

But as I’ve learned throughout my career, mistakes always seem obvious when we see other people make them.

They rarely feel as obvious when we’re about to make them ourselves.

My job is to equip you with the knowledge you need to make your best possible impression during an interview.

And so, if this article reminds you of just one thing that might have slipped your mind, I’m happy.

Good luck!