Good Manners are essential when being interviewed, on the job, and in you personal life. No matter what your education level you must review this page to confirm your good manners or improve them where necessary.

Eating

For some interviews will be conducted over a meal. Fine dining or MacDonalds, knowing what fork to use, how to use a napkin are just two of the many points that will demonstrate you education level.

I recommend you reviewing
http://www.cuisine.com/digest/custom/etiquette/
manners_intro.shtml for the details of dining manners.

Handshaking

Handshaking is not meant to be a test of strength. It probably originated to demonstrate you had no weapon in your hand and was a sign of friendship.

You want a firm but not a crushing handshake. Grasp the hand lightly and lock your fingers and thumb rigidly, maintaining the light grasp. The firmness of your grasp will be noticed. Ladies will appreciate you respecting them. For those who squeeze
hard, your hand is prepared for the pressure. Do not respond by applying pressure.

Chewing Gum & Smoking

Both are unacceptable at any time. Chewing gum is consider a low class habit and smoking is insulting to others.

Swearing

Swearing is a giveaway of your lack of education. One swears as their vocabulary is inadequate to find the right word to use so it is replaced by a swear word.

Clothes

The young tend to wear the strangest clothing. Yes, it may be fashionable but the problem is you are viewed as a follower and employers want independent leaders even if it is a part-time at Harvey’s. Dress neatly. Clean simple jeans and a nice sweat shirt or blouse stands out in the crowd, and is a sign of respect.

There must be no sign of Walkman type devices as this is an adult turnoff. Turn off your cell phone and have it out of view. It is rude to permit your interview be interrupted by a telephone call. And no backpacks, hats, or sun glasses. Yes, all this sounds very severe but necessary just in case the interviewer is extremely conservative. Being neutral in your dress is acceptable to everyone.

Pay special attention to senior executives and teachers. Study their behavior, dress, and manners. They demonstrate what is important to be recognized as special. Their hair is always cut and combed, shoes shined, shaved, and spotlessly clean. Respect is the name of the game. The latest dress code of teenagers does not impress adults.