Career Killers
Information that pops up in the recruitment works on a regular basis but it never hurts to be reminded...
SOME Jobseekers lose sleep worrying before an interview, but spare a thought for poor managers doing the interviews - because they've seen some shockers. A survey of more than 3000 managers and human resources professionals by a careers website asked for the worst interview faux pas by job candidates.
Here are the top ten:
- One candidate brushed her hair during an interview.
- One man who sniffed his armpits on the way into the interview room.
- A job candidate who answered her mobile then said it was a private conversation and asked the interviewer to leave her own office.
- Candidate who told the manager he didn't plan to stay with the job very long, since he was expecting an inheritance from his uncle who wasn't 'looking too good'.
- Candidate who asked the interviewer for a ride home after the interview.
- Candidate who refused to provide a writing sample, saying she'd worked for the government and her handwriting was 'classified'.
- One job candidate admitted he was once fired for beating up a boss.
- One candidate turned down food before the interview, saying he didn't want to fill up his stomach before going out drinking.
- A job applicant for an accounting position declaring she was a 'people person', not a 'numbers person'.
- The candidate who flushed the toilet during a phone interview.
Dressed to Kill
51% of managers said dressing inappropriately for an interview was the biggest mistake a jobseeker could make. Dressing inappropriately shows you haven't bothered to research the company, industry or the culture. It appears that a lot of people these days say “this is who I am, and too bad," but to get what you want, you have to have those professional standards.
Complaining about a former employer came in second - with 49% of managers saying it was the biggest mistake you could make.
Seeming disinterested was third, with 48%. Jobseekers appearing disinterested, not researching the company and not having any questions is another thing interviewers hate. Preparing questions shows you're interested, and is a chance to showcase your personal skills and how your strengths fit the position, she says.
Online discussion sites buzz with stories of toughest interview questions, and job seekers admitting to their most cringe-worthy mistakes. How about the candidate who picked his nose? One interviewee lost points when he pulled out a chocolate bar during the interview and started snacking - without offering to share.
The expert's tips to avoid blunders:
- Turn off your phone
- Answering a mobile phone during an interview takes away your credibility.
- Stay professional
- Don't be too friendly as interviewers may try to draw candidates into a 'false sense of security' to see if they stay professional.
- And don't use, like, slang. The younger generation make the mistake of 'like this, like that', which is unprofessional and annoys older managers.
- Telling too many personal details is another big mistake. When asked to 'tell us about yourself' - have a personal statement of two to three minutes prepared which highlights your key strengths and how they are relevant.
- Arrogance
- Some candidates have a 'you should be pleased I'm here' attitude - so no surprise managers listed arrogance as another big mistake. Equally - some candidates have been successful all their lives, they think they are going to breeze in but they haven't taken the initiative to learn about or show interest in the company.
- Money talk a no-no
- Don't ask about salary in the first interview. Focus on selling the product, which is you.
- Engage the interviewer
- Make eye contact, use body language be sure to address everyone on the panel.
(abridged version of article: Career Killers, News.com/au, October 2 2008)
