Every HR pro has had at least one candidate interview that left them wondering: “Did that person really want the job?”
There’s no end to the strange things job applicants will do in interviews — and CareerBuilder seems to want to make us aware of as many as possible.
Here’s the job board’s list of the most common faux pas HR pros see applicants make in face-to-face encounters:
- Answering a cell phone or texting during the interview — 71%
- Dressing inappropriately — 69%
- Appearing disinterested — 69%
- Appearing arrogant — 66%
- Speaking negatively about a current or previous employer — 63%
- Chewing gum — 59%
- Not providing specific answers — 35%, and
- Not asking good questions — 32%.
Those are just the run-of-the-mill dumb things interviewees do. Here’s a selection of the most bizarre behaviors HR people reported to CareerBuilder.
Over the years, HR pros have seen candidates who:
- provided a detailed listing of how previous employer made them mad
- hugged the hiring manager at the end of the interview
- ate all the candy from the candy bowl while trying to answer questions
- constantly bad-mouthed spouse
- blew her nose and lined up the used tissues on the table in front of her
- brought a copy of a college diploma that had obviously been white-outed and their name added
- wore a hat that said “take this job and shove it”
- talked about how an affair cost him a previous job
- threw his beer can in the outside trashcan before coming into the reception office, and
- had a friend come in and ask, “How much longer?”
Can you top these? Share your interview horror stories in the Comments section below.