Nail your job interview... without getting crucified
2 April 2008, 7:17am
Have you ever walked out of a job interview with that sinking feeling, cursing yourself over that stupid answer to the question you hadn’t prepared for? Well, you can take some comfort knowing you’re not the only one.
This week, Reuters reported a list of the most outrageous mistakes based on a survey of 3,061 US hiring managers and human resources professionals and there are some shockers. Here are the top ten:
Candidate answered cell phone and asked the interviewer to leave her own office because it was a "private" conversation.
Candidate told the interviewer he wouldn't be able to stay with the job long because he thought he might get an inheritance if his uncle died - and his uncle wasn't "looking too good".
Candidate asked the interviewer for a ride home after the interview.
Candidate smelled his armpits on the way to the interview room.
Candidate said she could not provide a writing sample because all of her writing had been for the CIA and it was "classified".
Candidate told the interviewer he was fired for beating up his last boss.
When an applicant was offered food before the interview, he declined saying he didn't want to line his stomach with grease before going out drinking.
A candidate for an accounting position said she was a "people person" not a "numbers person".
Candidate flushed the toilet while talking to interviewer during phone interview.
Candidate took out a hair brush and brushed her hair.
While these mistakes are at the extreme end of the spectrum, it’s surprising how many people don’t follow the basic rules of job interviews.
Once you have one lined up, be sure to research the organisation you’re applying for and practice potential interview questions at home with a friend or in the mirror.
On the day, make sure you’re punctual and well groomed. Be polite to receptionists or members of staff you pass on the way to the interview room and make sure you turn off your mobile before you go in! Smile, shake hands with your interviewer and look them in the eye while you’re talking. And when it’s over, don’t forget to thank them for their time.
Simple advice, but easy to forget when you’re stressing out over your dream job.
Have your say: What is the worst mistake you’ve ever made in a job interview, or seen when interviewing someone? And what’s your top tips on acing interviews? Post your answer on our blog below.
Comments(5)
Posted by:Matt - 8 Apr 2008, 2:07pm
I once had an interview as a recruitment consultant. I was told by the person that recruitment consulting was the most stressful job in the world.
I said my brother was a Police Officer and that this in my mind was more stressful.
I didn't get the job.
Posted by:Dom P - 8 Apr 2008, 12:28pm
I had occasion to attend an interview for a job I had been doing for over five months, where the panel consisted of two female and one male interviewer.
One female was a consultant from outside the organization and knew very little about the requirements of the job and the other had been with the organization for only four months.
I didn?t get the job! The reason? I didn?t perform on the day!!
Two weeks later, still doing the job, I had to set up an interview panel for consultants and guess who was put on my panel! Yes, the lady from our branch who interviewed me just two weeks previously.
She made such a ?balls up? of the initial assessments that her manager had me instruct her on what to do on interview panels and how to assess applications.
I wasn?t very happy about it and let the manager know why. It didn?t seem to make any difference, but that?s another story
Posted by:gG2fmf - 7 Apr 2008, 4:20pm
After an interview with a community agency they anounced to me that I was the most suitable applicant, and that I got the job, providing that I would work for 3 months without pay. Negdless to say I declined the job,...Ahahahah
Posted by:anon - 7 Apr 2008, 9:07am
The worst interview panel of I have heard of recently occurred in Comcare The interviewees were required to answer questions to a panel of blokes, and the work test required applicants to climb up a 4-5 story ladder to retrieve paper documents without safety gear or harness.
Applicants were told not to wear a dress and flat shoes to undertake the task.
Needless to say comcare wanted applicants who were willing to sign a contract to fill the position tha required the applicant to have a no fault clause to claim compensation!!!! unbelievable
Posted by:M - 6 Apr 2008, 10:35pm
One of the worst interview panels I ever attended was in an old remand centre. The panel comprised of all males, and included a male psychologist who advised they were considering how I well I managed stress duirng the interview. The panel decided to have the interview in a cell with no lights on, rather sunlight streaming in from the bar between the windows onto the applicants face. Needless to say, I did not get the job - nor did I want it after the interview!
I once had an interview as a recruitment consultant. I was told by the person that recruitment consulting was the most stressful job in the world.
I said my brother was a Police Officer and that this in my mind was more stressful.
I didn't get the job.
I had occasion to attend an interview for a job I had been doing for over five months, where the panel consisted of two female and one male interviewer.
One female was a consultant from outside the organization and knew very little about the requirements of the job and the other had been with the organization for only four months.
I didn?t get the job! The reason? I didn?t perform on the day!!
Two weeks later, still doing the job, I had to set up an interview panel for consultants and guess who was put on my panel! Yes, the lady from our branch who interviewed me just two weeks previously.
She made such a ?balls up? of the initial assessments that her manager had me instruct her on what to do on interview panels and how to assess applications.
I wasn?t very happy about it and let the manager know why. It didn?t seem to make any difference, but that?s another story
After an interview with a community agency they anounced to me that I was the most suitable applicant, and that I got the job, providing that I would work for 3 months without pay. Negdless to say I declined the job,...Ahahahah
The worst interview panel of I have heard of recently occurred in Comcare The interviewees were required to answer questions to a panel of blokes, and the work test required applicants to climb up a 4-5 story ladder to retrieve paper documents without safety gear or harness.
Applicants were told not to wear a dress and flat shoes to undertake the task.
Needless to say comcare wanted applicants who were willing to sign a contract to fill the position tha required the applicant to have a no fault clause to claim compensation!!!! unbelievable
One of the worst interview panels I ever attended was in an old remand centre. The panel comprised of all males, and included a male psychologist who advised they were considering how I well I managed stress duirng the interview. The panel decided to have the interview in a cell with no lights on, rather sunlight streaming in from the bar between the windows onto the applicants face. Needless to say, I did not get the job - nor did I want it after the interview!