Etiquette for Not Knowing Your Interviewer’s Name During an Interview: Acceptability and Politeness

During the interview process, it's not uncommon to experience situations where you may not know the name of your interviewer at the beginning of an interview. This can be a bit awkward, but fear not, as there are polite ways to handle it. In this article, we will explore the best practices and etiquette for not knowing an interviewer's name and discuss the acceptability of learning their name later in the conversation.

Introduction

Introductions are essential when embarking on a new professional relationship, such as an interview. If you find yourself in the awkward position of not knowing the interviewer’s name, there are several ways to address this gracefully. Starting with a friendly, nameless greeting demonstrates respect and enthusiasm even if you don’t have all the details.

Elegant Opening Phrases

Begin the conversation with a warm and genuine greeting. For example:

“Hello, thank you for having me today.” “It’s nice to meet you, thank you for the opportunity.” “Thank you for the interview; I’m excited to discuss the position.”

These brief introductions set a positive tone and show that you are ready to engage in the conversation.

Polite Requests for Name

If you’re unsure of the interviewer’s name and feel the situation warrants a more specific greeting, it’s perfectly acceptable to ask for it in a casual and polite manner. Here are a couple of ways to do this:

Casual Greeting with a Request

“I’m sorry, but I didn’t catch your name earlier. May I ask what it is?” “Hello, I hope I introduced myself properly. Could you remind me of your name, please?” “Thank you for meeting with me. Can you tell me your name, so I can make sure to reference it well in our discussion?”

These phrases show that you value and appreciate the opportunity to know your interviewer, which is crucial for building a positive rapport.

Using Titles or Indirect References

There are instances where it might feel awkward to ask for the interviewer’s name. In such cases, you can engage with the person using their title or an indirect reference:

Using Titles

“Mr./Ms. [Last Name],” if you know it or simply use “you” throughout the conversation.

Using titles like “Mr.,” “Ms.,” or “Dr.” can help maintain a professional and respectful tone, even if you don’t know their full name initially.

Indirect References

You can also address the person indirectly by focusing on your professional relationship:

“Thank you for taking the time to speak with me today.” “It’s great to speak with you regarding the [Position] role.” “I look forward to discussing how my background aligns with your goals.”

These phrases maintain a professional tone without needing to know the full name.

Learning the Name Later in the Conversation

There are times when you won’t receive the interviewer’s name until later in the conversation. If this happens, it’s still acceptable and even encouraged to learn their name and use it appropriately:

For instance, if the interviewer introduces themselves during the discussion, make sure to say something like:

“Thank you, [Name], it’s great to meet you.” “I appreciate you taking the time to explain [Topic] to me, [Name].” “I learned a lot about [Company] and [Position] from you, [Name].”

By including their name in these responses, you establish a more personal connection and show interest in the interaction.

Conclusion and Follow-Up

Regardless of whether you learned the interviewer’s name during the interview, it’s crucial to address them by name in your follow-up communication. This includes your thank-you email:

Follow-Up Etiquette

Make sure to include the interviewer’s name in your thank-you email, such as:

“Thank you, [Name], for the opportunity to interview today.” “I enjoyed meeting with you, [Name], and discussing how my skills align with your needs.” “I look forward to hearing from you about the [Position] opportunity, [Name].”

Addressing them by name not only shows appreciation for their time but also adds a personal touch to your follow-up.

Overall, while knowing your interviewer’s name is ideal, it’s manageable to proceed politely and respectfully even if you don’t have it initially. The key is to communicate in a way that shows you are professional, respectful, and genuinely interested in the opportunity.