Top Ten Interview Mistakes

This is ill-advised for a job interview. 

Candidate answered cell phone and asked the interviewer to leave her own office because it was a “private” conversation.

This too:

Candidate told the interviewer he was fired for beating up his last boss.

1. Back in 1995, I was helping interview candidates for my position (I had taken another job).  I kid you not, there was a young woman that decided that the interview was the perfect opportunity to kick of her shoes and clip her toenails.

   To my surprise, she didn’t get the job.

   Posted by capper on May 12, 2008 at 2236 hrs




2. I’m a big stickler for punctuality and dress.  Sorry, but if you show up for an interview with me late or in anything less than a suit, your chances at the job dropped to nearly zero.

   Posted by Owen on May 12, 2008 at 2247 hrs




3. Doesn’t that depend on the job?  My first two jobs I dressed cleanly, but I didn’t wear a suit.  But then again, I was a teenager, and the jobs was working at a small animal clinic and a gas station.

   Posted by capper on May 12, 2008 at 2318 hrs




4. Probably.  I admit that I interview people for professional positions.  I expect professional people.

   Posted by Owen on May 12, 2008 at 2323 hrs




5. It always drove me nuts when people would come and ask to fill out an application, but then ask to borrow a pen or a phone book. 

   Grrrr.....

   Posted by on May 12, 2008 at 2327 hrs




6. I seem to remember my first post ever in the Cheddarsphere was on this very subject.  Looks like things haven’t changed.

   Posted by The Asian Badger on May 12, 2008 at 2337 hrs




7. Wendy, you beat me to it. Back when I was hiring waiters and waitresses (who were going to have show up with a pen every day!), easily half would show up to fill out an application without a pen. At least it made deciding who would called back for interviews a lot easier.

   Posted by on May 13, 2008 at 0839 hrs




8. At my current employer, we send several pairs of employees to interview candidates.  One candidate brought a book to the interviews.  In between interviews she was seen reading “The Art of Happiness” by the Dalai Lama.  She is currently seeking happiness with some other employer.

   Posted by on May 13, 2008 at 1641 hrs