How comfortable are you with the etiquette of job-hunting?
Certain rules or protocols should guide a job-seekers conduct. Some people call these rules good manners, but more refer to them as business etiquette. By adhering to proper etiquette, a job-seeker can gain a perceptual edge over other job-seekers that can lead to a job offer.
6. Job-Hunting Etiquette Quiz. , (T/F) .
JOB-HUNTING ETIQUETTE QUIZ
1. When greeting someone for the first time, a cupped handshake (in which your left hand covers the normal handshake) is a good way to show my sincerity and interest.
o True
o False
2. At an interview or meeting, it is generally necessary for me to stand only when a women walks into the room (regardless of my gender).
o True
o False
3. At job fairs -- and other professional settings -- when I receive a business card from someone, I should take the time to really read the card before sticking it in my pocket or briefcase.
o True
o False
4. I should always turn off (or silence) my cell phone and beeper before heading into any interview or business meeting.
o True
o False
5. In dining situations, my drinks are on my right and my bread plate is on my left.
o True
o False
6. When on an on-site interview, if I get a parking ticket while at the interview, I can add the cost of the ticket to the expense reimbursement form I submit to the company.
o True
o False
7. After a job interview, regardless of whether I am still interested in the job or not, I should always follow-up with a thank you note.
o True
o False
8. A few days after a job interview, I begin calling the employer every day to see when a hiring decision will be made.
o True
o False
9. When introducing myself at job fairs or other business settings, I should avoid saying anything except my name until the other person responds in kind.
o True
o False
10. When I know a company I am interviewing with is having a casual day on the day I am interviewing, it is best to dress down for the interview.
o True
o False
11. During an on-site interview, its okay to order a cocktail before the meal or wine with my meal when everyone else is drinking.
o True
o False
12. I have a great sense of humor, so its perfectly fine to have a humorous greeting on my voicemail (or answering machine) when job-hunting.
o True
o False
13. When at meetings at which people are wearing name tags, the best place to put your name tag is on your right chest/shoulder area.
o True
o False
14. When I place telephone calls to potential employers, I use a clear and confident voice and always first identify who I am and why I am calling.
o True
o False
15. At job and career fairs its okay for me to walk up to a group of people engaged in conversation and interrupt by introducing myself.
o True
o False
16. When talking on the phone with a potential employer or other business contact, its okay for me to put them on hold while I answer another phone call.
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o True
o False
17. I always avoid asking questions at an interview because it is rude to interrupt the interviewer by asking questions.
o True
o False
18. During an on-site interview, when dining out, I always rest my soup spoon and butter knife on the saucer or plate rather than on the table.
o True
o False
19. The rules of etiquette arent as important in businesses that have a laid back corporate culture.
o True
o False
20. No matter what type or level of job I am applying for, I always go out of my way to greet the receptionists and secretaries with sincerity.
o True
o False
(Scoring):
Whatever your score, the real purpose of this quiz has already been accomplished -- getting you better prepared for job-hunting.
Number of questions you answered correctly:
19-20: You're in great shape and should do well in your job search.
17-18: You're in good shape, though you need to do some polishing of your etiquette.
15-16: You're in need of doing some real work to get a better understanding of business etiquette.
Under 15: You're in need of spending a lot of time learning the details of business etiquette.
Career and Job Fair Do's and Don'ts
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Dr. Randall S. Hansen is founder of Quintessential Careers, one
of the oldest and most comprehensive career development sites
on the Web.
CAREER AND JOB FAIR. DO'S AND DON'TS
Here are the keys to successfully navigating a career or job fair. Follow these simple rules and you should achieve success in this important strategic tool of job-hunting.
Do have a specific strategy for maximizing your time at the event. And don't bother spending time with recruiters from companies that do not interest you.
Do pre-register for the event, and do attempt to get the list of attending companies before the career fair.
Don't eliminate companies because they are recruiting for positions outside your field; take the time to network with the recruiter and get the name of a hiring manager for your particular career field.
Do attempt to research basic information about each company you hope to interview with at the job fair. A common career fair question from recruiters is, Why do you want to work for our company?
Don't just drop your resume on the recruiter's table and walk off.
Do prepare a one-minute commercial that focuses on the unique benefits you can offer the employer - your unique selling proposition. And do be prepared for common interview questions.
Do be prepared to talk about your work experiences, skills, and abilities.
Don't be afraid or intimidated by the recruiter; he or she is there to do a job -- to meet and screen potential candidates.
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Do have a few questions prepared for each recruiter, but don't ask questions that any good job-seeker should already know, such as What does your company do?
Do say the recruiter's name several times during your conversation, even if you have to keep glancing at the recruiter's nametag. And do get a business card (or at least contact information) from each recruiter.
Don't forget to eliminate such bad habits as playing with your hair, chewing gum, fidgeting, rocking from side-to-side, acting distracted, rubbing your nose, etc.
Do remember all the keys to successful interviewing, including a firm handshake, 
a warm smile, eye contact, and a strong voice.
Don't use filler words such as "um", "like", "you know."
Do bring enough copies of your resume to the career fair. And do bring different versions of your resume if you are searching for different types of jobs.
Do take advantage of the time you have to build rapport with each recruiter, but don't monopolize their time.
Don't ever just walk up to a booth and interrupt a current conversation; wait your turn and be polite.
Do dress professionally -- conservative is always the safe choice. And do wear comfortable shoes. 
Don't waste the opportunity to network, not only with the recruiters, but with fellow job-seekers and other professionals in attendance at the career fair.
Don't ever say anything negative to the recruiter about your college or previous jobs, companies, or supervisors.
Do be sure to ask about the hiring process of each company, but don't ask too many questions about salaries, vacation time, and other benefits.
Do take the initiative and ask about the next step in the process. And do be prepared to follow-up all job leads.
Do be sure to follow-up with each recruiter. Some experts say to call and leave a message on their voicemail right after the job fair, but at a minimum you should send each recruiter a thank you letter.
8. , Career and Job Fair. Do's and Don'ts
1) What is a common career fair question from recruiters?
2) What should a candidate be ready to talk about?
3) What bad habits should a candidate forget?
4) Why is it better to dress professionally?
5) What questions is better not to ask?
10. Career and Job Fair. Do's and Don'ts . (T) (F).
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| 1) It is better to get the list of attending companies, before the career fair | ||
| 2) A candidate should ask as many questions as possible about the company he is going to work for. | ||
| 3) A candidate should ask all questions about salaries, vacation time, and other benefits. | ||
| 4) A candidate should never take the initiative in the process of recruiting. | ||
| 5) A candidate should follow-up with each recruiter. |
11. . Styles of Interviewing . 3 6
