Telling a prospective employer you know more than they do.
Outlining why you’d make a lousy employee.
They’re just a few of the worst job interview techniques some hiring personnel have encountered over the years.
It’s already tough enough to stand out from a crowd when you’re one of hundreds seeking a single open position.
But according to a new survey, some job applicants’ ideas about how to behave are just plain baffling.
Accountemps, a temporary staffing firm, polled 150 executives at large companies to find out the worst experiences they’ve had during a job interview. And the results are both hilarious and startling.
One recalls a candidate who started swearing during the initial interview. Another cites a potential employee who admitted he’d really rather be working for the firm’s competition.
And one applicant asked the person grilling him out on a date.
Experts say with managers’ file cabinets filled to the brim with resumes, applications and cover letters that almost never get read, it’s essential to use the five or ten minutes you’re allotted during these kinds of sessions to make the best impression possible.
So whatever else you do, don’t follow these examples, as quoted by the executives:
“An applicant stated that there was nothing I could tell him he didn't already know; he said he knew everything about our business."
"One candidate was 25 minutes late for his interview and was upset with me for being annoyed by his tardiness."
"The candidate told me that she didn't want to work hard." (THAT SOUNDS LIKE ME!!!)
"The applicant told me he really was not interested in the position, but he liked that we allowed for a lot of time off."
"One prospect told me all of the reasons he shouldn't be hired."
But of all the strange actions and impressions made during the interview process, perhaps none were more bizarre than these two:
"An individual applied for a customer service job, and when asked what he might not like about the job, he said, 'dealing with people.'"
"A person argued that the requirements for hiring were wrong - and then fell asleep."
