Classic Must-Avoid Interview Mistakes
March 21, 2009 
11 Comments
Job interviews can be harrowing for both the interviewer and the job applicant.
According to a CareerBuilder survey of hiring managers, more than half mentioned inappropriate dress as the most damaging mistake a potential candidate can make. Ranked second by those surveyed was speaking negatively about previous or current employers, while the third ranking mistake was to seem to be disinterested. Appearing to be arrogant, failing to provide specific answers and not asking good questions were the next three top-ranked errors. These common blunders can be avoided by preparing properly for your interview and practicing with a friend beforehand.
It also pays to use good judgment and avoid obviously off-putting incidents like the following true-life examples of interview blunders:
- One candidate stretched out on the floor to fill out the job application, while another perched on the edge of the interviewer’s desk.
- A balding candidate abruptly excused himself and returned to the office a few minutes later wearing a hairpiece.
- Then there was the candidate who asked: “You don’t do drug tests, do you?”
- One candidate asked who the lovely babe was, pointing to the picture on the hiring manager’s desk. When told that was the employer’s wife, the candidate then asked if she was home now and could he please have the phone number.
- A candidate said she was a “people person,” not a “numbers person,” while interviewing for an accounting position.
- One man said that if he was hired he’d have the corporate logo tattooed on his arm to demonstrate his loyalty.
- Another pulled out a men’s magazine and perused the pictures and centerfold while the hiring manager took a phone call.
- One unlucky male candidate’s briefcase flipped open and assorted women’s underwear, perfume and makeup fell out.
- Another candidate answered a cell phone and asked the interviewer to leave her own office because it was a “private” conversation.
- Then there was the candidate who smelled his armpits on his way into the interview room.
- It’s no surprise that the candidate who said he was fired because he beat up his last boss was not hired.
- Neither was the applicant who declined the food he was offered before the interview because he didn’t want to line his stomach with grease before going out drinking.
- And, heaven forbid you make the same mistake as the candidate who flushed the toilet during a phone interview!
- Last but not least, don’t follow the examples of those who: brought their dog to an interview; asked the hiring manager for a ride home after the interview; or brushed their hair during the interview.
Prepare well for your interview, use good common sense, and remember to appear as professional as possible.
Sources: CareerBuilder.com
Bob Levey, Washington Post
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Very useful tips.
I always have been weak at interviews, much because I’m so timid but to not know some things you say here. Thanks!
These are helpful, I always have trouble asking questions because I can’t ever think of any until I’ve left…I hate that!
I wish I had read these a few years ago since I did quite a few mistakes in interviews, I had to learn from experience.
This information is basic but it needs to be repeated. Everyone gets nervous when they get to an interview and unfortunately they will do stupid things like those written above, hopefully someone will read this before an interview and will be saved the embarrassment.
Its really nice to get to know something about how to go about in interviews, This site really focuses deeply on this issue which is really very helpful and useful.
Good advice, preparation is key for any interview. I have personally always found humor to be my friend. If i can make the interviewer smile or laugh, from a topic that’s job related, it seems to help. You have to realize that the person interviewing you is just doing their job as well.
This is a very fun blog posting. I think that like most people, I go into job interviews thinking that I am going to say a buzzword or do something minute that isn’t going to get me the job. This helps me to realize that there are people out there who are MUCH worse off than I will ever be and those people will hopefully be applying for the same jobs that I am.
You mean “uninterested’, not “disinterested”. Quite a big difference.
This is a smart blog. I mean it. You have so much knowledge about this issue, and so much passion. You also know how to make people rally behind it, obviously from the responses. Youve got a design here thats not too flashy, but makes a statement as big as what youre saying. Great job, indeed.