Yes, it most certainly is, and that means that the best etiquette possible is going to be required.

Now, by lunch interview etiquette, we don’t mean which spoons to use with the soup and if you can cut your chicken with a fork and knife…what we mean is simple – how do you conduct yourself in order to make the right impression.

For example, do you order anything you want or limit it to a dish that is not too expensive? Obviously, if you have been invited to this meal it is going to be something that is paid for by the company. This indicates that you want to keep expenses to a minimum without being too obvious. Our recommendation? Pick something from the identified specials that is not too messy or too large.

So, you understand that the “meal” is more about the conversation than the food…right? That’s another major issue to keep in mind. You may be meeting for a bite to eat, but what the boss or manager is really doing is trying to “get a feel” for you as an everyday person. When you meet someone in the formal setting of an office it can often be quite an impediment to seeing them as they really are, but when seated across a dining table, things have a way of losing their rigidity and formality.

This also means that the conversation is bound to be radically different. This is a time to keep a firm hold on your tongue. However, because this might be the moment when you botch things by falling into a conversation about “taboo” issues. What do we mean? Well, just as you will want to keep political views off of your professional networking sites (unless you work in politics) you don’t want a luncheon conversation to turn into a personal platform or “soapbox” moment.

Instead, spend a bit of time in advance of the luncheon thinking about the subjects that will help to move the conversation along comfortably. If you can find topics that relate to professional experiences or interesting facts about your work history…all the better!

Never apologize for your decision to stay at home with your children. Indeed, it a point of pride as it shows you are able to juggle multiple responsibilities successfully. Explain with confidence that your decision to remain at home served the best interests of your particular family situation but you are now excited by the prospect of returning to work.

What follows are five interview tips for return-to work mom

Build confidence

To be successful with job interviews you will need to project confidence about your skills, abilities and past accomplishments. Take refresher courses if needed in the latest computer and office technology.  If you have a specific industry in mind, perform online and print research to become knowledgeable about any changes since you left.  You don’t want to be caught off-guard at the interview should be asked your opinion of current trends.

Dress to impress

You also want to dress to impress so visit the Web site of any company you will be interviewing with to get a sense of dress code. While the people pictured may not necessarily be employees of the company, their dress will be representative of company preferences.

Tap into your network

Get in touch with all contacts that may be able to help with your job search. If you awkward calling them at their jobs, you can easily search for them via one of the social media sites, such as Facebook Twitter, or LinkedIn. Send a quick note letting them know of your job search and asking about industry changes in your absence and how you should approach your job search. Refrain from asking for a job directly as this can make the person uncomfortable if they have no leads. Successful networking is reciprocal in nature so be ready to exchange something of value, such as an article they will find interesting, tickets to an event, or invitation to lunch.

Pre-Interview steps

• Before you schedule interviews, make a list of your most important skills, knowledge and accomplishments as related to the career you seek.

• Make notes on the company research you have performed and prepare a list of 3 to 5 questions based on these notes
• In addition to company-wide research, call the company to clarify the names of  interviewers you will be meeting with and search for them on LinkedIn and/or Facebook and Twitter.
• Role-play the interview will family or friends and prepare index cards with short answers that you can easily memorize.
• Conduct a trial commute to the building so you know how long it will take to get there from your home, about parking options, the correct entrance to use, sign-in procedures to the building, etc.

Interview Etiquette

• Dress to impress. Even if the company culture is causal, you want to wear business attire to the interview. You will understand dress code from the company research you have performed. Another option is to call the recruiter to ask about dress code.
• Arrive no more than 15 minutes before you interview appointment in order to complete any need paperwork, such as a job application.
• Turn off your cell phone, don’t switch to vibrate as the vibration can be heard in a relatively quiet room
• If provided an application, fill it out legibly and completely. Don’t place the words “See resume” in the Education and Work History sections.
• At the start of most first-round interviews, the interviewers(s) will provide information on company background and describe the job responsibilities. They will also ask about your work history and past accomplishments.
• When discussing prior experience keep your answers short and to the point. Provide relevant examples that highlight the contribution you can make to this job.
• Sit upright, leaning forward just slightly to indicate interest. Smile often as this suggests a warm and friendly nature
• Modulate the tone and pace of your voice so you are not speaking too loudly or quickly. Take a deep breath before each question as this will serve to calm your nerves.  Having prepared answers from your role-play will also help calm your nerves.
• Be sure to ask questions of your own as this indicates interest in the position. Your questions should be based on four areas: 1) job responsibilities, 2) reporting structure, 3) training provided, 4) planned company initiatives
• At the end of the interviews be sure to ask about next steps. If a second interview is required, ask if that could be set up before you leave that day. Successful interviewing necessitates a proactive orientation
• Send a thank you note to each interviewer within 24 hours of the interview. Be brief and reiterate some points you made during the meeting and that you would value the opportunity to further discuss your qualifications.

©Copyright 2012 Lisa Ann Burke. All rights reserved.

Pre-interview tasks

• Research the company and the job itself. Most of your research can be completed online using such sources as Dun and Bradstreet and Moody’s Investor Service. You can also search for the company on LinkedIn, Facebook, or Twitter. Also ask for a copy of the latest annual report which will provide financial information.

• Perform logistical-based research so you know how to get to the office via car or public transportation and how long the commute will be.

• Conduct mock interviews with friends or colleagues and write down appropriate responses on index cards.  Make your notes succinct with only three or four keywords so the points are easy to remember.

• Select interview attire appropriate to culture of the company, including jewelry, shoes, and accessories. Ensure that all clothing is neatly pressed and check for any rips and tears

Day of Interview

• Arrive 15 minutes early to complete any applications and other paperwork

• Greet the receptionist with courtesy and smile as you walk to his/her desk. Do not war sunglasses when walking into the office

• Complete any application and other paperwork neatly and make sure your handwriting is legible. Be sure to answer every question on the application and do NOT place the words “see Resume” in the boxes for education and work experience

• Bring along extra copies of your resume in the event you meet with more than one person

• Turn off your cell phone

• Greet the interviewer(s) with a warm smile, shake hands and address each by name,

• Don’t sit until offered a chair. Be aware of your body language and sit upright, don’t cross your legs, smile, and maintain eye contact and lean forward just slightly to indicate interest.

• Speak with a confident voice and avoid using slang language (such as “uh huh”, “you know,”’ “awesome” “ain’t,” etc.)

• Most interviews start with some small talk but veer away from controversial topics

• Answer all questions succinctly but in a way that ensures that your skills, abilities, and accomplishments are clearly stated and provide specific examples,where appropriate.

• Avoid saying anything negative about past employers, supervisors, or colleagues

• Indicate the research you have performed on the company when given the opportunity. A great question to use strategy is when the interviewer asks “Why do you wish to work for our company?”

• Give a short pause before answering questions if you need to collect your thoughts but don’t pause too long.  You can also repeat the question back to the interviewers to buy some additional time.

• Highlight the value you bring to the company rather than what the company can do for you.

• Don’t ask about salary, benefits, promotional opportunities, etc. during first interviews which are often exploratory in nature to test the fit on each end in terms of both technical skill set and work style.

• Ask well-thought-out questions about position responsibilities, management style, company vision. Employers like questions as they indicate interest on the part of  candidates.

• Close the interview by indicating your interest in the job (if it is genuine) and by asking about next steps. If a second interview is required, ask to schedule that meeting before leaving rather than wait for a call back.

• Request business cards from each interviewer so that you may send follow-up thank you letters to each within 24 hours of the interview date.

©Copyright 2012 Lisa Ann Burke. All rights fully reserved.

The focus of this article is the redemption of that plummeting interview. After all, many people wonder if they can possibly save an interview after making an inappropriate comment or simply making a fool of themselves in some other way.

The answer is that you can redeem the interview, but only if you own up to the mistake in the first place. For instance, let’s say that your interviewer asks you a question about your former boss or employer. Let’s also say that you have been getting more and more comfortable with this interviewer as the time passes. When they ask this question about the former job, why you left, etc., you may inadvertently say something wildly inappropriate.

For our example, we’ll say that you roll your eyes and say “because the guy was a total idiot!” Now, that is a huge mistake, and you probably realize it even before you finish saying the sentence. Can you save this situation? Yes…but it means you need to admit the mistake and then clarify in a far less emotional manner. For example, “Sorry…so, sorry! That was a totally irresponsible comment! What I should say is that I found my experience there to be frustrating. I don’t feel that my opinion is an accurate description of the company or even my former manager, but I do feel justified about leaving and have no regrets over the choice.”

That is the best you can do when such a thing slips out, but a responsible reaction to an irresponsible comment does demonstrate that you are mature enough to own up to mistakes and then correct the situation. THAT leaves a very favorable impression.

Of course, if you feel that the interview is plummeting because it is going nowhere, you can take control of the situation. Remember that any professional interview is a two-way street and that you have the right to ask questions too. Show an interest in the company, have some valuable questions in mind before you enter the interview, and then be prepared to use them if things take a turn for the worst!

• Practice!  Review commonly asked interview questions and practice your responses to those questions.  Ask a friend or family member to help you.  Or, take advantage of your college’s career services staff and/or local workforce development agencies that will be able to help prepare you by completing a mock interview with you.

• Know your skills and reflect on experiences where you’ve applied them.  It won’t be enough to simply tell the employer what skills you have.  You’ll need to describe how you’ve applied those skills in other jobs and/or other experiences, such as school, volunteer work, etc.

• Research!  Research the company’s history, products and services, culture, market position, community involvement, etc.  You will be asked what you know about the company you are interviewing with and failure to know something will create a very bad impression for the employer.

• Dress professionally.  This means that pretty much everything about how you look on the day of the interview should be conservative.  Your clothing, make-up, jewelry, hair, perfume/cologne, etc. should be professional, conservative and simple.

• Arrive ten minutes early.   This is the perfect amount of time to arrive to the interview.  Arriving any sooner presents some potential problems that may arise merely out of perception on the employer’s part.  If you arrive too early (20-30 minutes) it may appear that you are desperate for the position.  Also, the employer may feel rushed when they are notified that you have arrived for the interview extra early.

• Be sure to greet the receptionist or person greeting you just as you would if you were greeting the person interviewing you for the job.  Receptionists have a lot of power!  Often, they are a key decision maker in the interview process.  Furthermore, be courteous to everyone you meet.  Your first impression is not only with the person interviewing you; it is with the very first person you come into contact with when you arrive for your interview and each person you meet during the interview process.  Be polite and courteous and be sure to make friendly small talk as you wait for your interview to begin.

• Be sure to bring a folder with a pad of paper, three to five copies of your resume and references, letters of recommendation, and a pen to take notes. Even if you never use this information in the interview, it will show the employers that you are prepared and professional.  On your pad of paper, you should write three to five questions you’d like to ask of the employer toward the end of the interview.

• Observe your surroundings as you’re waiting for the interviewer to come out to the lobby and greet you.  Read any company signage, brochures or displays and/or observe the interactions between the office staff.  Remember, this is your chance to find out if they’re the right fit for you too.  Also, you may discover another question to ask during the interview based on what you learned from your simple observations.

When you take the time to prepare for the interview, you will be much more confident in your ability to interview effectively and make a positive impression.

Look Professional

Before the interview even begins, your potential employer will have taken in your appearance and will have already developed an impression of you.  For this reason, it is important that you arrive to the interview well-dressed.  This means dressing one level above what your potential co-workers are wearing.  For example, if working individuals wear jeans and a t-shirt, you should go to your interview wearing dress pants and a button-up shirt.  Remember to also dress modestly and groom your hair.  It is also a good idea to avoid wearing any scented products like perfume or smoking before your interview, in case the interviewer has allergies.

Act Professional

Arriving late to your interview looks unprofessional and can put your interview off to a bad start.  Be sure to determine how long it will take for you to get to the interview location and arrive at least five minutes prior to your interview.  Arrive with a copy of your resume and list of references in case your interviewer asks for this.  Also be sure to bring a notepad and pen, and take notes while the interviewer is discussing the position with you. This shows that you are listening and are serious about the job.  Be sure to do your research about the company before the interview so that you are prepared.  Send a short thank-you note promptly after the interview.

Speak Up

An interview should be a conversation, and both parties should ask questions.  Ask any questions you have about the company or the job responsibilities.  Bring up your personal career goals and give examples of skills relevant to the position. Take your time and choose your words carefully. Of course, there are some times when you should keep your mouth closed.  Don’t badmouth or gossip about past co-workers or superiors.  This reflects poorly on you, and your potential employer may worry that you will speak similarly about them.  Try to speak positively instead of negatively. Also be careful when asking about sensitive information, such as salary information.  Unless the interviewer brings this topic up, discuss salary after you have been offered the position.

Your resume’s been proofed up to wazoo. Half a dozen recruiters and hiring managers gave it the green flag . Only obstacle left now is your equally qualified pool of competitors.   Unfortunately, it is the one over which you have the least control–or is it?

Let’s focus on where you’ve got the most leverage now.  Namely, how will you noticeably distinguish yourself in a way that is significant enough to land you a highly coveted interview slot but convivial enough to reinforce rather than distract?  The answer is simple: words.  Words –your words– in fact, will give you more leverage and mobility during this phase of the process than the rest of the variables put together.  The words and phrases with which you describe yourself cannot be selected too carefully.
Here are some examples of words you might have chosen for your self descriptives:
1.      Creative
2.      Organizational
3.      Effective
4.      Extensive experience
5.      Track record
6.      Motivated
7.      Innovative
8.      Problem solving
9.      Communication skills
10.  Dynamic

Sound familiar? Like something you’ve come across before, perhaps?  There is a reason. According to the world’s largest professional online network, LinkedIn, the word list you just read were the most common terms used by job seekers in the United States in 2011. 
Now, count how many of those words show up in your in cover letter and resume.  Chances are, they will not be difficult to substitute. Take, for example, the most common term on the list, “creative.” The options offered by the reference aggregate, Thesaurus.com, include but are not limited to:

1.      Inventive
2.      Original
3.      Artistic
4.      Bright
5.      Imaginative
6.      Innovational

The very process of reflecting upon which of those words best characterizes your unique brand, might already be leading you to a new,  unexpected place. Contemplating the word “inventive” for example, could remind you of the recycling programs you developed as superintendent of the twenty unit multi-family residence you managed.  Perhaps “bright” characterizes the way you orchestrated overlapping doorman shifts in anticipation of snow. Replacing buzzwords with concrete descriptors that are specific and unique to your experiences will optimize your chances of creating a lasting impression on the person reading your resume and cover letter. They might end up inspiring new ways of highlighting your skills and experiences.

There are ways of honing your skills and the primary method for becoming more competent in interviewing is through practice or mock interview sessions. A mock interview is, simply put, a practice run that mimics the real life interview process as closely as possible. By going through several such practice session, you will become more confident and capable of making a strong positive impression when it comes time for the real deal.

Wrangle a Mock Interviewer

While it’s entirely possible for you to run through potential interview scenarios in your own head – which you’re likely doing anyway while you stew over how intimidating the interview process may be – the most effective means of practicing for an interview is to actually have a friend or family member play the role of interviewer.

If you can wrangle someone into being the mock interviewer, you’ll have the opportunity to run through question and answer practice sessions. This provides you the chance to refine your answers, practice speaking clearly and delivering clear and comprehensive responses, and to master the non-verbal communication aspects of interviewing for fulltime jobs and partime jobs as well. The manner in which you conduct yourself during an interview is as important as the answers you deliver to an employer’s questions.

Stage Your Practice Sessions Effectively

Best methods for productive mock interviews require that you mimic the real work interview situation as closely as possible. This means you should dress the part for at least some of your practice sessions, in order to get more comfortable in your suit or other business attire. Wear the outfit you plan to wear to the interview so you can ensure its comfortable, fits properly and doesn’t cause you to fidget or feel self-conscious.

You should also sit at a table, with the mock interviewer across from you. Practice making appropriate eye contact while interviewing. Pay attention to how you sit in your chair – square your shoulders, don’t slump, and don’t move around too much in your seat. Keep your hands in your lap or on the table, only using conservative hand gestures in appropriate places in your conversation for providing emphasis to verbal responses.

Try to avoid falling out of character during the practice session. This means both you and the mock interviewer that you’re wrangled into helping must maintain the professional manner and demeanor throughout the entire session. Save any and all discussion of performance, behaviors or other details for after the mock interview is complete, whether you’re interviewing for sales jobs or any other variety of positions.

Ask the interviewer to take notes during the session on areas of potential improvement they see or hear. This will not only help you better your interviewing skills during future practice sessions , but will also let you get used to the way it feels to have someone taking notes while you’re speaking , which is something that will occur during a real interview for a social worker position or any other job.

If possible, you should consider video recording some, if not all, of your practice sessions. You may be a bit self-conscious with the process, but it can help you learn how to control your facial expressions, posture, hand gestures, and other forms of non-verbal communication which all play a role in interview performance and the perception of a candidate by a prospective employer.

Get All Your Facts Straight

Mock interviews give you the chance to practice discussing the details of your own resume, work history, demonstrated skills and competencies, as well as the opportunity to promote yourself in a positive manner. Take advantage of the sessions to ensure you have all your facts straight and in your head about your past positions in fulltime jobs or partime jobs and job duties and responsibilities, no matter if you’re interviewing for administrative assistant, sales jobs, engineer jobs, or even social worker jobs. While it’s fine to occasionally reference a copy of your resume during an interview, doing so too often can make it appear as though the information contained within that document is fabricated or exaggerated.

Do Your Research

In your search for jobs, you’ll also be looking into the background, work environment and reputation of prospective employers, or at least you should be! After all, you’re considering them to see if they’re a good fit for you as much as they will be doing so with you if you’re called in for an interview. When you find media jobs of interest to you, take into account the postings and the employers and compose some relevant mock interview questions from that information. Ask your interviewer to read questions from that script during your practice sessions.

Why don’t you tell me about yourself?

Why do you want to work for our company?

What do you know about our company?

What qualifies you for this position?

What are your strengths?

What are your weaknesses?

Have you ever had a conflict with a coworker? If so, how did you resolve it?

Why should we hire you?

Why are you seeking leave your current employment? (Why did you leave your last employer?

Do you have any questions?

The key to preparing yourself to ensure that you will be able to successfully answer each of these “killer” questions is to reflect on your experiences, identify the skills you’ve applied in those experiences, and market your relevant skills to the employer.

Conservative, conservative, conservative! When preparing your interview attire, it is best to select clothing that is conservative in color and style. Colors such as navy, black, brown and gray are considered most conservative. Women should consider wearing a pant suit, a blazer with a skirt or pants or a professional style dress. Jewelry should also be conservative and simple. If wearing a skirt or dress, flesh-tone nylons or panty-hose are best. Closed-toe dress shoes with a shorter heel are recommended. Hair and make-up should also be conservative in style.

For men, a suit and tie are recommended. Be sure you’ve taken the time to shave, and remember, go easy on the cologne. Better yet, for both men and women job seekers, you would be wise to skip the perfume, lotions and cologne altogether. Many people suffer from allergies and you might be doing all involved a favor by not wearing anything that might distract from the interview. Finally, tattoos should be covered and body piercings (except for the earlobe on women) should all be removed.