Etiquette: The rules and conventions governing correct or polite behavior in society in general or in a specific social or professional group or situation.

However Interview etiquette is the ability to not come off like an A. Jerk B. idiot C. egomaniac D. all of the above.

Needless to say in all my 22 years in this business I’ve had (like most of you) some strange interview situations, but I don’t think any candidate that I’ve prepped for an interview has managed to stumble over as many typically easy interview obstacles as the one last week. In one 3 hour session my candidate managed to get caught snacking on a pop-tart in the middle of the interview, have his cell phone ring (on three separate occasions) and not show up in the appropriate interview attire.

So while the good news is that his skills outshone his behavior and he’s still under consideration questions about his personality and just what he’d be like as a teammate remain and in the end they may prove pivotal in their decision to hire him or not.

So for the record: No cell phone during the interview, no food or drink (unless they offer it to you), mind your manners, dress the part (business attire for professionals), bring a portfolio to take notes, show up early and send a thank you note to the hiring official (emails ok for speed).