The death of etiquette in interviews
June 3, 2008 by Jim GiulianoPosted in: Behavior, Communication, Hiring, In this week's e-newsletter, Latest News & Views, Management
Hiring managers describe three of today’s offensive behaviors that would have been unthinkable just a few years ago.
Here’s the list, compiled in surveys of hiring managers by the job-search firm Vault:
Using profanity. More and more candidates don’t seem to see anything wrong with conversational cursing in interviews. About half of the managers said they’d heard
four-letter words used with abandon. And, according to the managers, most of those candidates don’t get the #%&! job.
Taking a cell-phone call. About one in four managers said a candidate had taken a call – and held a lengthy conversation – in the middle of an interview, giving new meaning to the term “wrong number.”
Bringing the kids. About 20 percent of those who responded said they’d conducted an interview with a candidate who brought children to the meeting – and not as references, either.
Some other odd behaviors raised in the survey:
- Eating. That may be OK if you’re interviewing with Subway and gobbling one of the company’s products. Other than that, fasting for the hour or so that an interview takes is much more preferable.
- Protracted nose-picking. Presumably, however, these were not the same people who were eating.
- Being obviously drunk. Might we suggest deep breathing as a better way to overcome nerves before an interview?
Tags: candidates, Hiring, interviews
June 4th, 2008 at 11:34 am
During an interview with a legal secretary candidate, I noticed that the candidate was glancing at her wristwatch often. I thought that this was a sign of nervousness until she told me that she would like to stay and chat, but that she needed to leave because she wanted to get some lunch.
June 9th, 2008 at 10:43 am
These are some of my most memorable interview moments:
o One candidate kicked off her shoes and sat cross-legged in the chair.
o One woman came in wearing a skirt that was so short it was barely decent.
”I’m so glad I dressed up today!” she exclaimed while I tried not to gawk.
o A foreign-born applicant came in with her infant. We have a lot of international workers and they don’t always know what’s customary here, so I gave her some slack and invited her to my office. But when she unbuttoned her blouse and started nursing, that took the cake.
June 9th, 2008 at 10:50 am
We as HR professionals are the gate keepers and if we allow candidates that show such unprofessional behavior to get any further into the interview and hiring process we are to blame for the behavior the manager will get with their new hire.
I personally, would not take a candidate any further if they exhibited any of the above bad behaviors because we would not allow an employee to act in such a manner.
June 9th, 2008 at 10:59 am
While walking a candidate back to my office and making the usual “ice breaker” conversation, I had the applicant interrupt me to ask how long the interview would take. I told the applicant the whole process would take about 90 minutes. The applicant said “that won’t work for me,” and when I asked why the app said “well I have another interview in 30 minutes.” I walked the applicant back to the door and said “well if you leave now you’ll probably make it.”
June 9th, 2008 at 11:19 am
I have been surprised to see that tardiness for the interview is more common than a few years ago. The job candidate barely even apologizes for it these days.
June 9th, 2008 at 1:22 pm
My pet peeve while interviewing is when candidate constantly say “you know what i mean”. I tell them no, please elaborate, and guess what, they cant.
June 9th, 2008 at 1:27 pm
Due to the nature of the job, the position requires the person be available on call when its their weekend to be on call. I asked the applicant if the would have a problem being on call, the responded “no, unless I’m drunk on my butt!”
June 9th, 2008 at 3:43 pm
We had a young lady come in last week to check on her application. She came in with her boyfriend whose mother works here. He asked to see his mom and while someone went to get her they sat in the lobby and waited. While there were plenty of seats available( we have a small sofa and several chairs) she sat on his lap and with his hands literally all over her they proceded to make out like they were in the back seat of a car.
June 10th, 2008 at 11:57 am
Cleanliness and appropriate dress are my biggest pet peeves as applied to the position interviewing for. I’ve barely been able to sit in some interviews with applicants for administrative positions whose clothes were clearly stained and omitted foul stench. Other candidates have been dressed as if applying for a position in a brothel (no pun intended). These individuals wonder why they are not hired…
July 4th, 2008 at 2:27 pm
What is the best way to study for PHR? From the books? CD? I have taken the test recently and none of the questions wording is anything i have seen in the book or the tests on cd .
March 12th, 2009 at 3:17 pm
I had an interview with a woman who had her legs crossed like a man (with a dress on!), and continuously licked her hand like a dog and fixed her hair (unfortunately she missed the peacock looking thing on the top of her head!!) It was too much for me to handle, so I then thanked her for coming and walked her out the door (extremely cautious not to shake the hand!)
August 3rd, 2009 at 10:09 am
This is one that annoys me. Sweaty, and cold hands.
I realize it is a sign of nervousness & stress.
An end of interview (or worse beginning) hand shake that is clammy, is a serious deterrent for a job candidate prospect.
To me it projects a lack of confidence
Now that I am on the other side of the interview process, I am the one with the “ucky, wet hands.”
I know I have been bypassed for at least 2 positions because of this.
You can see the disgusted expression on the interviewer’s face.
Anyone have any suggestions on how can I stop this problem?
Or
how I can kindly decline from shaking hands w/out hurting my chances?
August 5th, 2009 at 7:37 am
You can avoid shaking hands by politely saying – I’m so sorry but I know I’m coming down with/getting over a cold and I don’t want to pass on my germs – It’s so nice to meet you!
August 13th, 2009 at 1:18 pm
I had an applicant who wore so much cologne that I wanted to pass out and it was tough to breathe in an enclosed office. I had another with such bad breath I could smell it several feet away.
September 21st, 2009 at 4:56 am
Although some of the stories you shared can indeed be considered bad manner in some I think you are exagerating. The fact that people have cold hands or bad breath…Come on….What if YOU would have such a problem? Have you ever thought they might have some kind of medical condition? What ? Are you going to reject them on this? Isn’t it a bit against the rule of “equal opportunity employer”?
October 1st, 2009 at 8:13 pm
Lisa, you are correct.
There is little excuse for coming to an interview in dirty clothing, but there are people who, indeed, do not smell nicely for medical reasons. One reason for foul body odor could be narcolepsy. The drug prescribed for narcolepsy causes a person to have a foul odor. Bad breath can be caused by a wide variety of medical issues. If an otherwise well-groomed person has bad breath, they might need to see an ENT. Cold hands can also be a sign of a medical issue.
On the other hand, the needs of the people already employed and the people who deal with the company should be considered. If someone comes in reeking of perfume or aftershave, you need to consider that many people have allergies and should not have to put up with a coworker who chooses to reek of scents. Allergies are are medical issue. The medical issues of one person should be put above the personal desires of another.
March 3rd, 2010 at 4:01 pm
Right in the middle of an interview the candidate stood up and asked if she could give me hug! Ah, no.
March 3rd, 2010 at 5:09 pm
This isn’t huge, but I’m tired of people coming into an interview without having eaten first. I understand nervousness, but enough of the loudly growling stomachs! It’s amazing how many times this has happened, and I can’t understand it. I don’t schedule interviews right before a meal time and it seems to be happening more and more frequently. Is it really too much to have a yogurt beforehand?!
March 3rd, 2010 at 8:24 pm
Not to be an ass Bonnie, some of us don’t have the $$$ to eat before an interview OR after. For me, eating makes me groggy and a bit gassy. Which would You Rather tolerate… Perhaps you needto realize that “hungry to work” might just mean Exactly That.
And Debbie, sorry to hear you don’t appreciate the gratitude a hug-giving person is relaying. In this day and disease-ridden age, a hug is safer than a handshake—less germs transmitted.
I’m a Huggy type personality; but only to those who I feel Need it/Deserve it. We’ve been TOO aloof and physically distant in our office rituals training over the past 20 or so yrs. (my opinion) (Hence the majority of lawsuits…) I would, at anytime, accept the warmth of a Genuine Hug…
Anne & Lisa You GO GIRLS!!!
Ps For those who care….I Finally did get a job (part time) as an assistant to the owner of an Art Gallery…got the job deal sealed with a hug – grumbly stomach, sweaty hands and all!!! I guess it doesn’t matter, if you find the right qualifications in a person to fit the position, you will overlook their quirks.
-jackie