9 Job Interview Etiquette Rules for Students and Recent Grads

Let’s face it: job interviews can feel like a high-stakes episode of “Survivor,” and without understanding interview etiquette, highly qualified students are getting voted off the island way too soon.

From forgetting to remove their laundry from the background on video calls to making the radical decision to bring their parents along, students often think they’re doing the right thing.

Unfortunately, most students make job-costing mistakes in their first interviews. And it’s nothing to do with you—you’re simply not aware of the unspoken rules of the game.

This article breaks down these rules, showing how small bloopers can send big signals to employers. With our guidance, you’ll be ready to ace interviews, leave a professional impression, and, unlike my old undergrad self, vastly improve your job prospects.

You’ll learn:

• How to prepare for an interview and research the company
• How to dress properly
• How to leave a great first impression with your communication and body language skills
• How to behave during the interview
• How to follow up after the interview
• What to do if you’re in for an online job interview

Don’t waste days compiling overused interview techniques. Get original answers to every single question you could expect.

Get ready for your interview

9 Basic Interview Etiquette Rules Explained

1. Come prepared

Coming into a job interview unprepared is like going on a road trip without GPS or Google Maps — you might make some interesting turns, but you probably won’t end up where you want to be.

Here’s what might happen:

• You’ll be nervous
• You’ll stutter a lot
• You won’t have proper answers to common questions
• You won’t know what skills to highlight.

So not only will you not look like the right fit for the position, you’ll come across as careless because you didn’t bother doing the basic research beforehand.

Here’s how to prevent this.

Research the company

Research its website, social media, Glassdoor profile, employees’ LinkedIn profiles, and anything else that would help you understand the company’s mission, values, and culture.

Know their products, services, and recent news, projects, or community initiatives. These are nice topics for a more meaningful conversation during the interview. Plus, you’ll get the inspo to ask smart interview questions and gain additional insights about the company.

Understand the job description

Analyze the job description to pinpoint key requirements and skills needed for a position.

A lot of the ads list the skills explicitly; but if not, carefully go through the duties and you’ll be able to infer what kind of skills are needed for the role.

Then think about your experiences, internships, academic achievements, extracurricular activities, or hobbies where you displayed these skills and prepare specific examples that demonstrate them. This way, you’ll prove, not just tell that you have a certain skill. And it’ll be easier to show them you’re a fit for the role.

Practice common interview questions

There are several common interview questions you’ll hear during any interview:

• Tell me about yourself 
• Why do you want to work here
• What accomplishments are you most proud of
• Where do you see yourself in 5 years
• What is your greatest weakness?

They’re regularly asked for a reason and all of them seek to uncover things about you. Refer to the guides we linked above to discover how to answer.

And in the case of behavioral interview questions, rehearse the answers using the STAR method.

2. Dress to impress

Match the company culture

Choose an outfit that’s one formality level above the company’s dress code. It’s better to be on the safe side and be overdressed than underdressed.

For example, if you’re applying for a job in a startup, it’s more than likely that the dress code will be casual. Still, you don’t want to wear your baggy pants and a T-shirt. Nice trousers with a well-fitted, button-down shirt and clean sneakers or loafers would be a safe choice.

For big corporations, use a business professional dress code. This would mean a suit or a professional dress with conservative colors and patterns.

Look presentable

A golden rule: If it didn’t fit with your high school dress code, it won’t work for an interview.

Tips to help you determine if your outfit is appropriate:

• Dresses or skirts must be finger length minimum.
• Stick to neutral colors and no flashy accessories (think old money aesthetic but professional).
• All clothes should fit as close to perfectly as possible. If your suit is a little too baggy or tight, it could make it seem like you can’t put yourself together.
• Make sure your hair and nails are clean and neat.
• Ensure your clothes have been freshly washed and are ironed or steamed if they are wrinkle-prone.

Take a look at this hack:

3. Make a great first impression

Be polite

Greet everyone with a smile and a firm handshake. Keep eye contact when greeting people and speaking to them.

When speaking over video, introduce yourself professionally (e.g., “Hello, I’m [Name], pleased to meet you”). Don’t wait for them to ask you — be friendly and proactive.

Arrive on time

This means at least 15 minutes before your in-person interview or several minutes before the online interview. This will allow you to settle, get accustomed to your surroundings, and have a minute or two for deep breathing to calm you down.

4. Initiate an engaging conversation and create an inviting atmosphere

Display positive body language and stop nervous habits

You can have all the perfect answers, but if you don’t look your interviewer in the eye while speaking or if your arms are crossed — it means nothing because you’ll look disinterested or careless.

A few tips for you:

• Maintain eye contact with your interviewer without staring. Aim to look them in the eye 80% of the time and keep things natural, as you would when speaking to a friend.
• Sit up straight with both feet on the floor and don’t cross your arms. You’ll want to look open and inviting to the person sitting on the other side of the table.
• Avoid nervous habits like fidgeting, tapping your feet, clicking your pen, and picking your nails. Taking deep breaths will slow down your heart rate and help you feel more grounded, calm, and present — and you’ll be able to stop the nervous habit easily.

A few more tips for you:

Be professional

Be attentive and respectful, present and engaged. Smile when there’s a joke or when a positive thing is being discussed.

Be an active listener. Nod, when appropriate, to show them you’re following the story. Make affirming sounds, bring up relevant details or stories, and don’t interrupt your interviewer. You know what they say, listen to understand a person, don’t just wait for your turn to speak.

5. Communicate clearly

Be clear and concise in your answers

Speak at a steady pace.

Don’t make the mistake of rushing and speaking too fast, thinking you’re taking up time. It’ll make you look and feel more nervous. Instead, speak at a steady pace and make pauses. This will make them listen to you carefully, and you’ll sound like a confident and competent candidate.

Another important thing to remember: answer interview questions directly and provide only the essential information and details.

Don’t answer with a single short sentence and don’t monopolize the time with lengthy monologues.

Ask smart questions

Prepare open-ended, thoughtful questions about the company and role.

Don’t ask about things that can easily be checked online — come up with unique questions that will give you insight into the company and its culture. You’ll get the chance to ask these questions towards the end of an interview when all the other details have been discussed.

Don’t ask about salary or benefits during the first interview. Interviewers will probably bring up these questions themselves. If they don’t, you can ask them from the second interview onwards.

6. Take care of your tech (if it’s a video interview)

Choose a proper setting

Choose a neutral, clutter-free background, like a plain wall or a neatly organized room. Remove items like towels or other unprofessional objects in the background. You can also blur your background, as Zoom, Meets, and other similar platforms have this option.

If you’re sitting in front of a wall, dress appropriately. Wearing a white shirt against the white wall probably won’t look best. Neither will stripes or bold patterns.

A few more tips on how to dress for a video interview and what to avoid:

Do the tech check

Test your internet connection to make sure it’s stable. Check the video conferencing platform (Zoom, Teams, Google Meet…) to ensure it’s working properly for you.

Make sure your headphones and microphone are working, and your video is nice and clean.

Minimize distractions

Pick a quiet, well-lit room for the interview.

It will make you look more professional; but more importantly, both you and the interviewer will be able to focus on the conversation if your surroundings are quiet.

7. Close the interview properly

Your interviewers will probably close the interview.

But before you leave, grab the chance to thank them for their time and ask about the next steps in the process (if they haven’t told you). Then, quickly and professionally express your enthusiasm for the role and state why you’d like to join the company.

It can be as simple as:

8. Send thank-you notes

This is a quick win because it’s super easy and not a lot of candidates do it. Within 24 hours after the interview, send a thank-you email.

A few tips:

• Send it to each interviewer separately.
• Personalize it by mentioning a specific thing you spoke about during the interview.
• Restate your interest in the role and the company.
• Be direct and brief.

Here’s a template you can use:

Here’s when to follow up after an interview:

9. Follow-up professionally

If your interviewers told you they’d get in touch with you within a certain timeframe, but you don’t hear from them, it’s perfectly fine to get in touch and basically ask them what’s up.

Don’t worry, it’s not pushy. It’s proactive, and the right company will appreciate your eagerness.

Here’s a template you can steal:

Finally, here are a few more “secret” job interview etiquette tips you’ll find useful:

@erinmcgoff

I’m back for more secret job interview etiquette rules to help you succeed in your next interview! 🤝 btw interview etiquette changes between cultures, and since the United States is such a (beautiful) melting pot, not everyone was brought up with the same mannerisms. So if you find yourself saying, “well, isn’t this all common sense??” Consider yourself lucky! #jobinterviewtips #jobinterviewprep #interviewhelp #careeradvice #interviewetiquette

♬ original sound – AdviceWithErin✨ – AdviceWithErin✨

Common Etiquette Mistakes Students and Recent Grads Make in Job Interviews

Here are some really funny, but unfortunately really common, job interview etiquette mistakes students make:

• Vaping during the interview.

• Chewing gum or eating.

• Bringing a friend, parent, or pet with them.

• Coming unprepared and not knowing why they’re a good fit for the job.

@anna..papalia

⬇️You’re not bad at job interviews, you’re just unprepared.   🧠Did you know that 90% of people are NEVER trained to interview.   🔥I am on a mission to change that.   🧐An interview in the most basic sense is a set of questions about you and who is better qualified to answer questions about YOU than you. I promise, you’re NOT bad at job interviews you’re just unprepared.   ❌You don’t need to memorize a script. And you certainly should not tell the recruiter what they want to hear.   ✅Instead, you should practice answering interview questions authentically. Watch this video to practice   ❓When asked, “Tell me about yourself”   🎯A great formula to follow is past, present and future. Tell them what you went to college for, why you do what you do, what you are doing in your current job that qualifies you for this position and future is that you see yourself in this organization where you are interviewing.   ✨For a limited time, get an Interviewology Profile for $47 use code September 📝It’s a 40-page customized workbook that is the result of a scientifically valid interview style assessment. You’ll discover your interview style, learn the 5 types of interview questions, prompts on how to answer the dreaded “Tell me about yourself” and 10 Questions to Ask When You Get Offer to Get More Money   #howtointerview #jobinterview #interviewprep #career #interview

♬ original sound – Anna Papalia

• Having public social media accounts with unprofessional information and posts.

@kobeboujee

Pov :When you go for job interview unprepared ….. #fyp #foryoupage #jobinterview #pov #ghanatiktok🇬🇭 #viralvideo

♬ original sound – Kobe Boujee

• Not having an elevator pitch.

• Lying or overestimating your skills.

@minute

Me at job interviews:“I’m a team player, Cooperative, friendly, And always willing to Help” #memes #workmemes #jobjokes #officehumor #workhumor

♬ original sound – Work Humor

• Not planning the logistics and running late.

@mrburgies

how do i tell them im late to a job interview

♬ Eyes Without A Face – Sinnerella

• Not asking smart questions.

Summary of the Main Points

• Job interview etiquette exists to help you navigate the process of interviewing and make a good impression.
• Before the interview, it’s important to research the company, understand the job descriptions, and prepare your skills and experiences that demonstrate you’re a fit.
• You also need to look presentable, respect the dress code, and be neat and well-groomed.
• During the interview, look people in the eye, be polite and friendly, communicate clearly, and display positive body language.
• After each interview, send a thank-you note to each interviewer separately.
• If you’re having an online interview, make sure your connection is stable and your headphones and mic are working properly. Pick a quiet room and tidy up your room (or use a Zoom/Google meet background) so the background is neat and professional.

Additional Resources

• Learn how to ace your next interview with our course.
• Get tips on how to stand out from other candidates with this free course.
• Try Interview Simulator and get valuable feedback on your performance.
• If you’re more of a book type, Job Interviewing for Dummies  might be for you.

FAQ

Is the interview etiquette generally the same regardless of the industry?

The main principles of interview etiquette are the same in every industry. This means that research and preparation, punctuality, professional clothing, respectful communication, and following up after an interview are desirable everywhere. Depending on the industry, there will be differences in dress codes, communication styles, or interview format. But the elements we listed above are valid in any industry — and the sooner you get better at them, the better!

What are some common mistakes fresh graduates make during job interviews?

Many fresh graduates fail to understand the importance of researching the company and preparing for the interview. They might also focus on their academic achievements without paying attention to the soft skills that could help them land the job. Often, they’re not sure what interview questions they’ll hear, so they don’t practice their responses. Finally, they make the mistake of not asking questions about the company and the role at the end of an interview (if you want to learn tips on how to come up with these, read our guide on questions to ask at the end of an interview).

How to ease my nerves before an interview?

Come prepared, knowing what to expect and how to answer tricky questions you might get. Know exactly what makes you a good fit for the role and how to communicate it. Arrive earlier because it will give you time to settle down, do some breathing exercises, and lower your heart rate. Don’t rush — speak slowly and nicely. Get a good night’s sleep and have a healthy meal before the interview. For more tips, read about how to calm your nerves before a job interview.

Who should initiate the handshake during a job interview?

A lot of the time, the interviewer will initiate the handshake at the beginning of a job interview. They do this to set a friendly tone and make you feel comfortable and welcome. However, don’t overthink this — if they don’t initiate it, go ahead and do it yourself. Give them a firm handshake while looking them in the eye. It’ll make you look assertive and confident, and that’s an instant plus.

Something totally unexpected happened, and I’ll be a few minutes late to my interview, what do I do?

As soon as you realize you’ll be late, contact the interviewer or the person who arranged the interview and let them know. Call them, but if you can’t reach them, send an email. A text message should be your last resort. Explain that there was an unexpected situation and you’ll be a few minutes late. Don’t overexplain, be brief and transparent. Apologize for the inconvenience, and give them an estimate of when you’ll arrive. When you arrive, address it in person and apologize for the delay again. Most importantly, don’t let it overshadow the rest of the interview.

Is it rude or unprofessional to ask to reschedule an interview?

It’s not rude or unprofessional, as long as it’s done respectfully — but it’s not desirable either. This means it should be done only when there’s no alternative and when it’s communicated well in advance. The more notice you give them, the better. If you try to reschedule a day before the interview, that would be a big red flag. It’s nice to provide a reason for the rescheduling request, but you don’t have to be too detailed or reveal intimate details. Suggest a few alternative times because it will help the employer find a new slot easily, and apologize for the inconvenience. For more info, read this guide: How to Cancel or Reschedule an Interview [Examples & Email Templates].