What was the worst interview situation that you've ever been? I just wanted to share this article with you entitled The Top 10 Interview Mistakes that recruiters have experienced in their recruitment career. 51% of the respondents said that dressing inappropriately was the biggest mistake done by applicants while next in line would be talking negatively about previous employer (49%) and appearing disinterested (48%).
Here is the top ten list featured in the article: (in random order)
- 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.
As a recruiter, be sure to be prepared because you would be facing worse instances than the ones listed here.
Image source: Stockxpert
I have a good interview mistake, which I experienced personally. I was interviewing someone for a mid-level Supply Chain job, but it wasn’t going very well for them. I was asking tough questions, as usual, and they were struggling, despite a resume that showed good experience.
At the end of the interview, I assume in an attempt to salvage things with some flattery, the candidate told me that I looked like Ralph Fiennes. I don’t look like him at all, not even close. Also, comparing your interviewer to the evil Nazi concentration camp leader from Schindler’s List is never a good idea.
Posted by: HRagitator | March 18, 2008 4:27 AM | Permalink to Comment