Interview mistakes you wish you could take back
By anthony balderrama on Feb 24, 2010 in Career Advice, Featured, Interviews, Job Search
When I look back at pictures of myself from years ago — specifically the 1980s — I cringe. The jeans, the ill-fitting shirts, the hair gel. At the time I thought I looked cool and no one told me otherwise. Alas, the pictures do not lie. I have the same feelings about my earliest job interviews, where I thought I was smooth and polished. I was actually a fumbling mess. I remember telling an interviewer that, no, I didn’t know anything about the company.
Looking at a recent CareerBuilder survey, I suppose many other job seekers share the same face-in-the-palm level of embarrassment about some of their missteps. For the survey, employers were asked to name some of the most notable interview mistakes they’ve witnessed, and they gave some whoppers. As outrageous as some of these missteps are, I’m sure we’ve all had interviews we wish we could take back. The professional equivalent of acid-washed jeans, if you will.
Here are some of the most entertaining responses:
- Candidate wore a business suit with flip-flops.
- Candidate asked if the interviewer wanted to meet for a drink after.
- Candidate had applied for an accounting job, yet said he was “bad at managing money.”
- Candidate recited poetry.
- Candidate applying for a customer service job said, “I don’t really like working with people.”
- Candidate used Dungeons and Dragons as an example of teamwork.
- Candidate filed fingernails.
Even if you haven’t exhibited interview behavior on this level, you might have still left an unfavorable impression behind. According to employers, these are the most common mistakes candidates make during interviews:
- Dressing inappropriately
- Appearing disinterested
- Speaking negatively about a current or previous employer
- Appearing arrogant
- Answering a cell phone or texting during the interview
- Not providing specific answers
- Not asking good questions
In the full release, CareerBuilder Vice President of Human Resources Rosemary Haefner offers several tips on how to avoid being the candidate who is singled out for exhibiting strange behavior. Perhaps the most important piece of advice she gives is to practice. The more prepared you are, the less likely you are to ramble or say something you’ll eventually regret. Read the rest of the release for more tips and examples of interview faux pas.
So how about it, readers: Who else can admit to some embarrassing interview behavior? Surely I’m not the only one.
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David Stillwagon | Feb 24, 2010
One of the first interviews that I ever had I was asked what I knew about the company. I also told him that I didn’t know anything. The interviewer then proceeded to lecture me on doing research before going on an interview.
Walmart Job Application, Justin M. | Feb 28, 2010
The last thing you want your interviewer to feel is that you are there just hoping to get a job. Do some research on every company you apply for. Make a great first impression by dressing sharply, being humble and gracious, and appearing as if you can get along with any co-worker. Make your interviewer feel (without going overboard) that you want a job with their company for a specific reason or reasons.
Um | Mar 2, 2010
weren’t you, like, five years old in the 1980′s?
pia | Mar 6, 2010
No sympathy. Duh, I need to research a company before I interview? With internet access available everywhere, there’s no excuse.
FLReader | Mar 8, 2010
David Stillwagon: As someone who deals with hiring new employees several times throughout the year, I have never “lectured” someone who didn’t know a lot about the company. Truthfully if you walked into a bank thinking it has something to do with consruction, THEN I’d question you, but otherwise I don’t expect anyone to know much. That’s why I’m here. To speak about what we do and what we expect from you. Don’t feel bad.
Patricia | Mar 16, 2010
Some good questions:
What restaurants are nearby for lunch?
Is there a casual Friday?
How long will it take to get promoted?
Does the company provide coffee and occasionally donuts?
Is there a holiday party?
RAJEEV | Mar 17, 2010
what is the possible answer for reason of leaving cuurent employer
r.m.dubey
emma | Mar 19, 2010
could you please give me the answer?
prince | Mar 19, 2010
This is true, that when ever you attend an interveiw there would be different type of questions , but the common on of all would be (what do you know of this company )
It is always good to do your home work. As in to know what has it achived in the current market and where was the gretest boom it has achived etc.
Marsha | Mar 21, 2010
I left my last job because I gave up trying to get along with a true bully clique. How can I answer the question about why I left my last job without sounding like I can’t get along with co-workers?
Ryan | Mar 25, 2010
I was interviewing for a Health & Safety job at a large pharmaceutical company and they asked me what I would do in a certain situation (can’t remember the situation) and I proceeded to answer the question with a (dumb) question that went something like this: “What would YOU do in that situation?” As soon as I said it, I felt my face turn beet red and I continued the interview with a cold sweat that lasted a solid 4 hours! As I choked down my lunch, all the while feeling like I was going to vomit, I just kept playing that answer back in my head!
To top it all off, at the end of the day, I received a tour of the laboratory facilities and received a lab coat to wear over my suit. Right after the tour, he told me to put my lab coat in the “dirty clothes” bin. At this point, I was starting to feel better about the second half of the interview. He then said that he was going to pass me off to HR to close it out. He asked me “Do you have your guest pass get back into the Admin Building?” I looked down and my cold sweat came back immediately! It was attached to my lab coat!!! I told him and he said that I could just leave from there!! LOL I was humiliated! I drove to the airport from there with my head hanging and had to call my wife and talk to her as if it went well! I couldn’t tell her I bombed our chances of a better life! As time has gone on and I have aced more and more interviews and my career has developed, that always sticks in my head as the WORST EVER and I hope it stays that way!
Victoria | Mar 26, 2010
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Valury | Apr 21, 2010
When I interview I really rehearse typical questions and I’ll answer them more than once just to retain good posture and voice ethic. I’ll be the 1st to admit it has worked. As a youngeon I’ve bombed a few fast food ones but didn’t know any better. But as I matured Ive faced the world with a positive attitude and stood tough.
I previously worked for our City’s Gas Dept and the Assistant Director, who’s name I’ll leave out, asked the dreaded question; “Do you know anything about Gas?” Of course feeling like a dog with a ton of Dog catchers surrounding me I broke the ice by saying, “I know my stove at home is natural gas and that every month I recieve a dreaded bill that I must pay or i’ll get cut off!” and he chuckled and went on about what it is the dept does for the city. It saved me.. and I wasnt lying.. I hate opening up the bill!
One tip I can pass on to everyone reading this is when an interviewer ask.. “What do you believe you need to improve in yourself?” Don’t be arrogant and say, “nothing” Wrong answer that tells the him/her you are full of yourself.. everyone and their mothers has something wrong with them. I’ll tell you my answer for every interview I have.. I need to slow myself down and not feel like I can’t leave at 5:00 if I still have work on my desk. I have tendencies of wanting to help everyone and know everything there is to know about the company I work for. An interviewer WANTS to hear that your aggressive and eager to learn.
Last bit of advise.. when the interview is clearly over and they asked if you have any questions.. ASK. Theres your opportunity. And when they stand to see you leave, reach out your hand and thank them for taking the time out to get to know you and wish them good luck on their decision.
GOOD LUCK AND HAPPY INTERVIEWING!
David Robbins | Apr 21, 2010
How do you not act negative about a prior job that you were fired from due to failure to meet impossible goals(turn a company around after ten years of losses after 2 years of employment without additional monies to modernize facilities for improving competitive position)? The big CEO at the parent company did not like me, because like most USA managers, I was direct and offended his annointed status by challenging him in the company of his peers (Board members). I have since learned to explore the social etiquette of businesses in other cultures before applying American styles of management.
I basically tell my prospective employers that I left under mutually agreed upon terms that I was not a “fit” for the position. Fortunately(or not) I became gravely ill 2 weeks later and spent 4 months in the hospital which by itself, was reason enough to leave your job.
Amy | Apr 21, 2010
I would answer the question ‘why are you leaving your current job?’ with a statement like this: I am looking for a position with a company that challenges me and gives me more opportunities to learn and grow as an employee.
p kopach | Apr 21, 2010
I went to an interview that a head hunter strongly suggested that I purchase a new suit, a white shirt and red tie. The manager who interviewed me was also dressed very well for a supervisors position in a manufacturing.
As we walked around the plant, the cuff of his pants dropped and the serated bottoms were dragging the floor. When we arrived at his office, he took a stapler and stapled a cuff on to both of his pants legs and complained about being required to “buy a new suit and shirt and tie.
I fell down laughing and he joined in the absurdness. That was one of the best interviews and best jobs i have ever had
jeffsd | Apr 21, 2010
I once had an interview in a hotel cafe. It went really well and I was sure I nailed it. Then right at the end I leaned on the table, it wobbled and spilled coffee all over the interviewer. She gave me that look of death and I know I would never hear from her again.
Shell | Apr 21, 2010
I was looking to relocate to another state for personal reasons and was actively sending resumes. I was sitting at the airport one Thursday evening, waiting for my flight for a relaxing weekend (read: No professional attire in my suitcase) when one employer called and since I’d be in the area, requested I come in for an interview the next day.
I had to explain that I was packed for a leisure trip and didn’t have professional clothes with me. The recruiter said that was fine under the circumstances.
I intervewed in blue jeans, open toed-high heeled sandals, and the nicest shirt I had available – that of my boyfriend’s and two sizes too big.
I got the job, clearly on merit and my word that I “could” be trusted to be put in front of customers.
Craig | Apr 21, 2010
I remember a bad interview in which I really screwed up. I had lost my job due to major personality conflicts with my boss. He was frequently out of the office for non work related reasons (at the gym, shopping, drinking). Also, if you did not have breasts, you did not get any recognition or assistance from my ex-boss (sales manager). So, after a major argument between us he fired me. That was fine as I could not stand him anyway (he was fired six months later for sexual harrasment). I went on an interview with a competitor and totally trash talked my ex-boss, only to have the guy interviewing me tell me that the two of them were good friends. Needless to say I did not get the job.
Rob | Apr 21, 2010
Without a doubt, interviewing for jobs is very hard. Thanks for telling me about your experiences – especially the bad ones. They help us all. My most recent interview was for a temporary job that involved a federal grant and what I believe was an interview quota. They already “had their people” but had to interview others to make it appear like they truly went to the “public.” The interviewers were real passive and seemed to let out a sigh after it was done. Both gave me a limp handshake and that was it. Be watchful of this when going for public sector jobs in research.
AeroEng | Apr 22, 2010
To all applicants, especially new graduates…..Please clean yourselves up. When we say we do random drug tests, we mean it! We also do at least one right after you are hired as a condition of employment. I’ve had 2 new hires in the recent past sent home for failing the test. Make sure ane prescription meds you are taking are done so under a valid and current prescription! And NO illegal drugs! Come on guys!
billie | Apr 26, 2010
@Um….Your lack of grammar skills makes you appear, like, five years old yourself.
Dawn | Apr 27, 2010
I hate the question,” Where do you see yourself in 10 years?” I always want to tell them the truth, that growing up I wanted to be a housewife and that is what I still would like to be. But because of life I have to work. My answer now is usually something like going after your job, not retired or at home.
Kate | Apr 27, 2010
I have a stock answer for “Where do you see yourself in X years?”
I smile and say, “Sitting right here as you tell me I’m being promoted again, and that hiring me was the best decision you ever made!”
moses okwuchi angela | Apr 29, 2010
accounting job
khd | Apr 29, 2010
SPAM! Delete self-promotion!!!!
khd | Apr 29, 2010
NOT!!!!
chris m. | Apr 30, 2010
Any opportunity to advertise huh? You should leave these space for comments, not your personal advartising space.
TD | Aug 14, 2010
Honestly, if you have a “blame game’ mentality/persona – people will pick up on this no matter what you say. Blame just oozes out of people like this. If this is you, work on changing – that’s the beauty of life – we can change
However…. if you truly were the victim of a bullying clique, I think the interviewer will ask what professional steps you took to ammend the situation.
OOOOrrr.. maybe the interview won’t even “go there”. Simply put your current state of mind and pursuits in a very professional presentation, “I would like to work with a TEAM where WE share a common vision of _________.” I see that your company has an outstanding track record of _________ and I would like to CONTRIBUTE to this TEAM. ” Get the buzz words? Hope this helps
Sue Skonetski | Aug 22, 2010
Update your phone message – if you want a job
Years ago, I would look at the engineering intern resumes. Decide who looked like a good fit call and set up the interviws. After going through a stack, I came across one that looked very good, excellent school for technology, worked during the summer in the field and other details. I called to ask if the person could come for an interview.
To this day I remember the voicemail message.
Godda*&*& leave a Fu*&*&*& meassage and maybe we will give you a Godda&^&^ call back.
Needless to say, I did not leave a message or call back. It may be funny to your buddies, but if you want a professional job, its not a good impression of you.
Sue
lisa | Aug 22, 2010
I had just graduated from Globe College 1989. I had an interview in Jan. 1990–winter, right.
The interview was in downtown Minneapolis, MN; at this building that incidentally had a name as two other buildings within 6 blocks of each other. Of course, I parked in underground parking–only in the wrong building and had to walk 5 blocks in heels to the correct building.
I got to the correct corner, standing there waiting for the light to change–I was splashed with gutter slush right across my feet and dress slacks. Okay, I dealt with it, went onto the interview.
I was sitting next to the young lady–who was older than me–and my purse fell off a chair that I set it on, spilling all my contents over the floor. Needless to say I knew then that I was not getting this job.
Lesson learned: Do not bring a purse — no matter how little is in it to an interview. Just bring the necessary papers for the interview.
Jim | Aug 22, 2010
I had an interview with three supervisors, and was thrown a pair of unanswerable questions: Which Starship captain are you most like, and why? Why are manhole covers round?
I am generally prepared for asenine questions like this, and answered both of these questions like a pro. I got the job. I left after six months, when I realized that my coleagues were gimicky and cliche, and they had no real sense of teamwork or colaboration.
Molly | Aug 22, 2010
I interviewed for a teaching position at a prestigious university, having been careful about dress, mannerisms, etc. But I goofed by saying that I knew another candidate for the position was a young man with a family and probably needed the job more than I did. I don’t know why I mentioned that, and I could hardly believe the interviewer when he told me later what I had said! Sometimes generosity can go too far!