.jpg)
Some candidates are great during a job interview. The ones mentioned here are not among them.
Candidates say the darndest things
One candidate said during an interview, “I do not own an alarm clock because the noise of it frightens me.” Another one admitted to attitude problems, saying “I do not get along well with others; I have a bad temper, which sometimes causes me to throw objects.” There was also a candidate who revealed during an interview, “I have a fear of eating in public places, so I prefer to eat under my desk.” Suffice it to say, none of these people got hired.
–Janna DeMarco, Branch Sales Manager of Spherion
That’s why they call it puppy love
I asked a candidate yesterday in an interview what her weaknesses were, and she replied "My Chihuahua—I just can't resist him when he looks up at me!"
–Renita Peck, Client Service Manager of Spherion
Can you hear me now?
We had a college hire candidate in recently for an onsite interview for a position in marketing, and there were several other college candidates in on this interview day. This candidate had her cell phone on during the tour of the facility and she was asked to turn it off. Not only did she not turn it off, she answered it during the actual interview process. She didn’t get an offer. Even worse, at the reception we had for the interview candidates, this candidate still had her cell phone on, chatting it up on the phone instead of mingling with hiring managers and other employees at the reception.
While I could go on and on about candidates saying weird, off topic, or bizarre things during their interviews, the single worst thing a candidate can do, in my opinion, is to not have questions prepared for the interview. There is so much information available about companies online, and it can easily be accessed through Google or LinkedIn, that not being prepared is almost unacceptable. Most candidates are prepared, but not all. Not researching the company, not being prepared, and not asking good questions during the interview process can be the difference between receiving an offer or not receiving an offer.”
–Will Pallis, Recruiter at VistaPrint
Part One: Job interview horror stories
Do you have a job interview horror story? Have you interviewed someone who was so terrible that you’ll never forget them? Or have you been interviewed by someone who would have been a boss from hell? If so, share your horror story in the comments.
Related Reading:
The importance of nonverbal communication during job interviews
Nonverbal behaviors during interviews
More interviewing tips
More Workplace Communication:
Don’t call me Liz!: Elizabeth Becton incident illustrates workplace communication breakdown
How to use PowerPoint effectively when giving a presentation at work
Do you suffer from stage fright? The signs may not be so obvious to your audience.
New York Goes to Work on VH1: Characteristics of difficult employees
Poll: Is there too much profanity in the workplace?
Subscribe via RSS or e-mail.
Comments