Interview Do’s and Don’ts

Going on a job interview can be an anxiety filled experience. If it is your dream job then you likely think that you should agree with everything the interviewer says and lay yourself down at their feet to beg for the job. While that might work for some, if you really want to project the idea that you are qualified and ready for the position you are interviewing for then try following a few of these do’s and don’ts. They’ll help you stay professional and dignified, something every employer wants to see from a potential employee.

Do’s:

Do research on the company and position that you are applying for. Even if you are doing a number of interviews, you still want to take the time and do focused research on each. You want to know things like job responsibilities, company history, management tier, big accounts, technological changes, any controversial news, and who was in that position prior. If you’re applying to a radiologist such as MRI New Orleans, you should do your homework and know what you’re talking about before going in. This can take some time but you want to be prepared for any question or topic that your employer throws at you and having this information at the ready will show that person that you are hardworking and thorough even before you are offered the position.

Do dress for the job you want. If you are interviewing for medical school or for a management position, do not wear your Saturday night on the town outfit. This doesn’t mean that you have to look like a school mom either. For women, a skirt that hits the knees or dress pants is appropriate along with a conservative blouse. For men, professional dress is a suit with jacket and tie along with shined shoes. You want to show your potential employer that you respect their job enough to dress appropriately and that you have personal respect for your appearance.

Do be on time. Nothing is more disrespectful than making someone that could offer your employment wait to meet you. Showing up 30 minutes early is a touch desperate and they might not be totally prepared to interview you yet, which can be disconcerting for some employers. Showing up about 15 minutes early will give you enough time to do things like use the restroom, find parking, check your appearance or do a quick prep before you head in. In addition, showing up early proves to a potential employer that you are responsible and conscious of deadlines. If you are running over 30 minutes late, it becomes a personal choice at that point, most professional, high-paying jobs likely won’t interview you, but you never know. It is better than not showing up.

Don’ts:

Don’t ever say, “I don’t know” in response to a question. Saying “I don’t know” means that you don’t want to give an answer, means that you can’t think on your feet and you are easily knocked off your game. If you truly don’t have the answer to the question, answer what you do know or what you think it might be. Be honest, but knowledgeable. Sometimes interviewers give you questions they know you don’t know so they can see how you handle the pressure.

Don’t outright lie. Do not put on resume that you have experience in something that you know nothing about. Don’t say you speak Finnish if you don’t. Don’t lie about your class ranking. Exaggerate. If you are seeking a higher position, talk about all the responsibilities and lessons you learned when you were in lower tiers. If you don’t know how to work a certain computing system, admit that you have worked with a multitude of systems and are a quick learner. If any interviewer catches you in a lie, you might as well see yourself out.

Don’t slouch or fidget. If you have a nervous habit, like clicking pens or tapping your foot, do it before you get into the interview room. Fidgeting is a sign of insecurity and is distracting for interviewers. Just keep your hands in your lap and your feet on the floor. Do not slouch either. It sends the message that you don’t care enough to sit up straight, which translates to laziness and lack of dedication. Sit up straight, smile, make eye contact and get that job.

This article was written by M.G. Bachemin in association with

Doctors Imaging, the best place in New Orleans for MRI and other medical imaging procedures.