The Do's and Do Not's of a Job Interview - based on personal experience!

After 3 1/2 years in the staffing industry, as well as 2 years of interviewing teachers in a child care setting, I have been able to compile a list of my favorite and comical errors in my interviews.

Do : Be on time. 10 minutes early is on time, on time is late.
Do Not : Arrive more than 15 minutes early. Chances are we are in another interview, on a conference call, or just plain busy. Be proactive, but if you are too early, stop and get some coffee, make a phone call, or hang out in your car for a few minutes.

Do : Dress for the position you want. Professional attire is always best.
Do Not : Wear open toed shoes in December, wear read pumps, or over accessorize. When it comes to professional attire, less is more! Here's some more information - http://jobsearch.about.com/od/interviewattire/a/interviewdress.htm

Do : Answer the questions we ask thoroughly, if the question warrants it.
Do Not : Give us too much information. Sometimes we only want a "yes" or "no" answer. "Can you work the hours required for this position?" - yes or no. Simple, and to the point!

Do : Bring a folder or a notebook to take notes.
Do Not : Bring a folder or notebook with unicorns, sports teams, or any graphics on it, to take notes.

Do : Research our company and ask questions about it, as well as questions about me and my position, successes, and qualifications.
Do Not : Ask about pay rate right off the bat, ask about my personal life, or ask me if there is a job with my company. If there was, I probably would have mentioned it.

Do : turn your cell phone off. If you forget and it rings, politely excuse yourself and turn it off.
Do Not : Check to see who is calling, answer the call and tell them you are in an interview, or go over the top apologizing. We all make mistakes. Leaving the phone in the car can help eliminate this one all together.

I'm sure you can think of a million other do's and do not's, so please, leave a comment!