A more competitive employment market means manners are key for a successful interview. By Sarah Werley for CareerBank.com

Maybe it was the excess of jobs out there and the confidence many job seekers had that they would have their choice of positions. Or maybe it was the thousands of dot-coms who bragged about a casual dress policy and laid-back office hours. Whatever it was, the era of the ultra-relaxed job search is coming to an end. And many employers are not happy with the casual attitude that has carried over into today's interviews. Recruiters and employers agree that etiquette has gone downhill fast, leaving today's job seekers with bad manners and annoying habits when they should be taking the extra steps to stay aggressive in an increasingly competitive-and shrinking-job market.

Interviewers tell horror stories of candidates taking cell phone calls mid-interview, showing up in a T-shirt and shorts and never following up post-interview. The truth is, today's job seekers will have to re-learn the traditional etiquette that has been lost somewhere along the way, or many will not even be considered for a position. So where can someone start their etiquette "rehab"? Try following these simple suggestions:

1. Always research a company before the interview. This is simply a sign that you are interested enough in the position to take some of your own time and learn more. And not just what market they serve or how successful they've been. Take an active role in investigating the company, everything from who the leaders are to what sort of dress code they have. This will prepare you not only for what sort of things you will be discussing in the interview, but also what to wear and what points on your resume to highlight.

2. Dress like a professional. Always. No, this does not mean go out and buy a $600, three-piece suit. But it also doesn't mean show up in sweat pants and a T-shirt. Even if the company does not enforce a dress code, you should still look like a professional. A collared shirt and slacks is often enough to show that you are serious about your job search without making you stick out like a sore thumb in a roomful of jeans-and-T-shirts staffers.

3. Respect your interviewer's time. This is a small step that will make you stand out from your peers. Remind yourself throughout the job search process that someone is taking time out of their schedule because they think you are a worthy candidate. The least you can do as a thank you is turn off your cell phone in the interview, or reply to their emails promptly. More often that not, they are very busy and your respect for their time will be noticed.

4. Keep some things to yourself. One of the problems that is a result of the boom over the last two years is that candidates feel too relaxed in the interview seat. They've gotten so confident that they share too much with interviewers. Instead of apologizing for a late arrival and getting on with the interview, they brag about their late-night escapades at the local bar. This is an absolute no-no. Keep your personal adventures to yourself in an interview, no matter how comfortable you feel with the interviewer. You open yourself up at an interview to be evaluated on every single word you say. Choose them wisely.

5. Send a thank you note immediately after your interview. You've probably been told to do this a hundred times. But very few people are listening, so take advantage of the fact that you've been reminded once again and do it. Not only will you stand out from the crowd, you'll have the chance to quickly reiterate highlights of the interview or add something you forgot to mention in your earlier discussion. A thank you note says that you value your interviewer's time and really appreciate the fact that they are considering you for the position. Quite simply, it's just plain polite.

Many recruiters and employers agree that more and more job seekers (and the pool continues to grow) will have to pick up on the traditional rules of etiquette to stay competitive. As many candidates come out of positions with excellent backgrounds and experience, good behavior may make the difference between getting the job and never being called back. So shine your shoes and buy a box of thank you notes-it's time to start practicing the good old job seeker etiquette that we used to know so well.