Looking to jump ship in the world of work? Well, if you’ve bagged yourself an interview, congratulations.
Now, it’s time to navigate the dreaded job interview etiquette, as half the stress isn’t always about the interview itself, it’s often about the logistics. What time should you arrive? Do you buzz in at reception? How smart is too smart?
Fear not: there are a myriad of ways you can impress your potential employer before you’ve even started chatting, from the time you arrive to the items you bring with you.
Arrive seven minutes early
If you were in doubt: you should arrive seven minutes early for a job interview, according to career and education expert, Robbie Bryant, from Open Study College.
Why? Because it’s not too early, and it’s not too late.
‘Arriving too early can be inconvenient for the interviewer if they are tied up in other meetings,’ Robbie advises.
‘Arriving late is always a terrible start and should be avoided at all costs. That’s why seven minutes is the perfect sweet spot. It’s early enough to show you have good time management and it’s not too close to the interview slot to seem sloppy.
Call when you arrive
Unless you’ve been told otherwise, call your interviewer when you arrive. We know: it’s scary, but it’s quicker than an email and more formal than a text.
‘Sending an email is not the best form of communication, especially if the interviewer is busy, as they might miss it,’ Robbie adds.
‘A text is too informal and personal, so a phone call is best. Arrive in plenty of time and make the phone call at, the perfect, seven minutes early.’
Show, don’t tell
Your prospective employer will inevitably ask for examples of your work, but why not beat them to it and show them anyhow? Bring a portfolio with you: it’ll do a world of good.
‘Talking about your previous experience is good, but showing it will set you apart from the other candidates and, providing your work is impressive, you’ll be more likely to secure the role,’ Robbie suggests.
‘Just one or two pieces of work is ideal as the employer probably won’t have time to read or view more than this.’
Research the company
This goes without saying: do your research. Ensure that before your interview, you know everything there possibly is to know about the company.
More Trending
Even if they don’t ask you about it, it’s important to have a foundational understanding of how they operate on a day-to-day basis: and if you’re offered the role, it’ll inform your decision.
‘Always make sure to reference specific things about the company during the interview to show that you genuinely want to work there,’ Robbie continues.
‘This is something that is often overlooked, or not researched correctly. To the best of your ability, have the most up-to-date information – LinkedIn is the best tool for this.
Deals of the Day
Craving sun, city streets or theme parks holdays? This £99 mystery deal has it all
11 of the best expert-approved running shoes to buy now
Tour Emily in Paris Season 6 Rome hotspots with a getaway from just £79pp
9 carry‑on travel essentials that transform economy flights into total comfort
The 10 best European city breaks under £150 to shop now – from Disneyland Paris to Venice
‘Ultimately, the interview is the time to shine but there’s no reason why you can’t make an excellent pre-impression and make sure the interview is off to a flying success.’
Thinking of quitting your job? 6 signs it’s time to move on
- The spark has faded
The first thing to ask yourself if you’re considering quitting is whether you feel passionate about what you do. If you’re essentially ‘quiet quitting’ – not seeking new challenges and doing the bare minimum – your feelings may not be totally unfounded.
2. Your mental health is taking a hit
There’s a big difference between a stressful time at work and work-related mental health issues, which can cause ‘chronic feelings of exhaustion, dread, and burnout, making it difficult to switch off, relax, and enjoy your personal life.’
3. The role’s a dead end
In some cases, you can love your job but still have to leave because there’s no room to grow.
4. You’re filled with dread on Sundays
Ah, the Sunday scaries; when the thought of going back to work on Monday fills you with dread and leaves you contemplating the plausibility of calling in sick.
5. You get bad vibes from your colleagues
Colleagues can make or break a job. After all, we spend so much time at work, not feeling supported, appreciated or heard by those around us can take its toll.
6. You have no work-life balance
Some people are more wedded to their work than others, but you should always have time to do things outside the office, whether that’s socialising with friends, participating in hobbies, or even just catching up on life admin.
Do you have a story to share?
Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@Metro.co.uk.
MORE: Got 10,000 unread emails? That says something about your personality
MORE: According to experts, these are the essential skills you should develop at work this year
MORE: Moving jobs this often helps you climb the career ladder and get paid more
