Dnt rite lyk dis

Be thoughtful about how you use your phone — there are unwritten rules in business that can make a big difference to your success

It’s not just the way you answer the questions at an interview for a scholarship, college or job that makes a difference. The interviewer is also picking up subtle signals from several things your do, including your phone etiquette.

The way you set up the appointment over the phone, what you do on your mobile device in the waiting room before the interview, or if you’re heard calling from the office bathroom (which can be deeply offensive) can all make a difference between success and rejection.

Don’t initiate your first meeting or introduction by texting. A phone call or email is always the preferred method in business. Only once you have an ongoing, more familiar relationship in business, is WhatsApp appropriate.

Think about what your ringtone says about you. If your phone rings during an interview, that’s a big black mark against you. If the tone is offensive, you can almost guarantee you won’t be called back for a second interview. And don’t put your phone on the desk or table and look at it longingly during a conversation.

Wearing headphones will, of course, ensure you don’t disturb others around you, but be careful that you’re not sending out a message that you’re cutting people off. In some situations, headphones can make you look like a moody teenager.

Phones play a complex role in modern business interactions. You may not have thought before that that little device you carry around with you can cause such offense. So be aware of these issues, and others, and try to develop good habits and etiquette around the use of your phone in business settings.

Should I wear my nose ring to the interview?

Every job, not matter what the field, requires professionalism and organisational skills. And you should present yourself to reflect as professional an image as possible. Just because the position you’re applying for doesn’t require you to wear a suit, that doesn’t mean you can show up for the interview dressed in an unprofessional manner. No matter what the purpose of the interview, you should arrive on time, well dressed, well groomed, and well prepared to articulate your skills and experience in a confident, organised way. Which brings us to another body piercing. You’ll be wrong if you think your tongue stud will go unnoticed, because apart from the look, they can sometimes make the speaker sound slightly odd.

Unfortunately, we do not live in a nonjudgmental society. Some people may be able to look past your appearance, but in the real business world, most will not.

At the very least, piercing jewelry can be distracting, and remember, you’re not (hopefully), trying to make a personal statement, but to get a job, scholarship, or college admission. So, cover up those tattoos, leave the studs and rings at home, and dress up a notch.