If you think of about your last job interview, there probably are a few things you said that you wish you hadn’t. And there probably also are a few things you didn’t say that you wish you had.
Why is it that these attacks of foot-in-mouth disease always seem to occur during job interviews? I’m sure being nervous and anxious has a lot to do with it. I also have a feeling that being interviewed makes us overly sensitive to any minor errors we may make.
Just picture the candidate who unintentionally answers a question with information that differs slightly from her printed resume. The interviewer never even notices the difference. Meanwhile, the candidate feels herself getting flushed and starting to fumble because she’s imagining that the interviewer thinks she’s a deceptive moron. So the next time you have an interview, use whatever works for you – thorough preparation, visualization, role-playing, deep breathing, yoga – to get yourself calm.
Meanwhile, if you want to feel better, consider these lulus of interview boo-boos. Office Team, a staffing service for administrative professionals, with 250 offices around the country, gathers gaffes made by job candidates. The company says all took place over the last year and all are true.
* After arriving for an early morning interview, a job seeker asked to use the hiring manager’s phone. She then faked a coughing fit as she called in sick to her boss. (At least she called.)
* When the hiring manager called the candidate, she asked him to bring several copies of his resume and three references. He called back an hour before the interview and asked to reschedule, saying his references couldn’t come with him to the interview.
* The interviewer asked the candidate to describe his ideal job. His response: “I don’t know…I haven’t had it yet.” (Duh, just parrot back what the interviewer told you about the job they’re looking to fill.)
* The job seeker halted the conversation about work hours and the office environment, saying she didn’t like being confined to a building. She said she would consider taking the job if she could move her desk to the courtyard outside. (Note to candidates: Dilberts stay indoors.)
* When asked about her greatest job skill, the candidate said she was most proud of her computer illiteracy. (Oh, give the poor woman a break.)
* In response to a hiring manager’s offer to answer questions about the position, the job seeker replied, “What happens if I wake up in the morning and don’t feel like coming to work?” (Interviews are no place for deep philosophical questions.)
* When asked what motivated him, the job seeker replied, “I’ve got a big house, a big car and a big credit card balance. Pay me and I’ll be happy.” (Brutal honesty will not get you the job.)
* When asked what he wanted to be doing in his next position, the job seeker said, “I’ll tell you what I don’t want to be doing – sitting in boring meetings, doing grunt work and having to be nice to people all day long.” (Welcome to adulthood, buddy.)
Article – Copyright 2000 Evan Cooper. Syndicated by ParadigmTSA
