Has it been a while since you’ve interviewed? Not much time to prepare? Don’t panic. The rules of dating can also be applied to interviewing. 

Do not arrive too early.

Human resources professionals and hiring managers have busy schedules and work by appointment. By arriving more than ten minutes before the meeting is scheduled you show disrespect for their time. If you must, wait in the lobby or your car before going to the interview location.

Do not show your desperation!

Telling the interviewer that you haven’t had an interview in months, you don’t have health insurance, or that you really need this job, is not going to improve your chances. Quite the contrary! If you told someone on a first date that you’re broke, about to lose your house - and car, and you really need to marry them, what do you think are the chances that you’d see that person again?

A proper thank you is always appreciated.

Send a note and thank the interviewer for their time. Have the envelope addressed and stamped before you even leave for the interview, and the moment you get home, write the note. (At the very least, send an email!) This is important because the discussion will be fresh in your mind, and you should reference one or two key points from your conversation. Use this opportunity to reinforce why you are a good fit for the position and how you can benefit the company.

Whatever you do for God’s sake do not stalk the interviewer.

This includes calling and hanging up. Yes, they have Caller ID, and they know it’s you! Nobody likes to be stalked or harassed. When they have news about next steps they’ll reach out to you. If they don’t, you may need to prepare for the fact that they just might not be that in to you. Ask at the end of your interview when and how you should follow up, and do it. If at that time they don’t have any news for you, ask when and how you should follow up next.