Social Media, Etiquette, and Common Sense

Posted On May 14, 2013

When I was growing up a popular show on PBS had a song that teased “one of these things is not like the others, one of these things just isn’t the same.”  It’s becoming clear that etiquette, common sense and social media just do not belong in the same sentence and it is affecting the one of the most etiquette-focused areas of the business world: the job interview.

Yes, the “I can’t believe somebody actually did that” HR files include job candidates who have texted or accepted cell phone calls while in an interview, according to this story from USA Today.

Normally I’d take the time to tell you how the generational norms make this understandable, but today I’ve got nothing.  Well, that’s not true.  I can tell you where it comes from but that still doesn’t tell you why they don’t know any better. Sometimes I do join you in SMH. (That’s text for “shaking my head.”)

And for the younger folks out there reading this – turn off the phone when you walk into an interview.  It’s that simple.

Categories: Baby Boomers, Downloadable Media