Do's

• Dress appropriately for the industry; err on the side of being conservative to show you take the interview seriously. Your personal grooming and cleanliness should be impeccable.
  
• Know the exact time and location of your interview; know how long it takes to get there, park, find a rest room to freshen up, etc.
  
• Arrive early; 10 minutes prior to the interview start time.
  
• Treat other people you encounter with courtesy and respect. Their opinions of you might be solicited during hiring decisions.
  
• Offer a firm handshake, make eye contact, and have a friendly expression when you are greeted by your interviewer. Listen to be sure you understand your interviewer's name and the correct pronunciation.
  
• Even when your interviewer gives you a first and last name, address your interviewer by title (Ms., Mr., Dr.) and last name, until invited to do otherwise.
  
• Maintain good eye contact during the interview.
  
• Ask for clarification if you don't understand a question.
  
• Have intelligent questions prepared to ask the interviewer. Having done your research about the employer in advance, ask questions which you did not find answered in your research.
  
• Write a thank you letter to your interviewer promptly.
  

Don&'ts

• Don't make excuses. Take responsibility for your decisions and your actions.
  
• Don't make negative comments about previous employers or professors (or others).
  
• Don't treat the interview casually, as if you are just shopping around or doing the interview for practice. This is an insult to the interviewer and to the organization.
  
• Don't chew gum or smell like smoke.
  
• Don't take cell phone calls during an interview. If you carry a cell phone, turn it off during the interview to be sure it doesn't ring.
  
• Don't act as though you would take any job or are desperate for employment.
  
• Don't be unprepared for typical interview questions. You may not be asked all of them in every interview, but being unprepared looks foolish.
  
• A job search can be hard work and involve frustrations; don't exhibit frustrations or a negative attitude in an interview.
  
• Don't give the impression that you are only interested in an organization because of its geographic location.