Interviewers have seen it all when it comes to applicants

[Amelia]

Interviewers have seen it all when it comes to applicants

By JO DEE BLACK

Tribune Staff Writer

May 9, 2005

Great Falls Human Resource Director Debbie Reynolds has interviewed hundreds of job candidates, but one holds the status as the most memorable.

“We were interviewing a police officer candidate who was asked what he would bring to the job,” she recalls. “He leaned back in his chair and said ‘If you hire me, you’re hiring nothing less than 100 percent pure stud.’ Needless to say, he didn’t get the position.”

Interview blunders can torpedo a candidate’s chances of landing a job faster than lack of experience or a typo on a resume.

“A lot of times people just offer too much personal information and you sit there thinking ‘I wish they hadn’t just said that’,” said Deborah Jenkins, a member of the Great Falls chapter of the Society for Human Resource Managers.

For instance, a female candidate interviewing for an office job once asked Jenkins if the company fired workers who were pregnant.

“She had just come from a job interview where the employer asked if she planned to start a family, since the firm didn’t want to have pregnant employees,” Jenkins said. “That’s illegal to even ask someone. But the person being interviewed can offer any information they want to, which is often a mistake.”

More often, interview faux pas include things like showing up in ragged blue jeans or replying to questions with one-word answers.

But then there are the whoppers.

CareerBuilder.com queried 600 hiring managers in March about the most memorable mistakes that caused them to pass on a particular candidate.

The list is a good reminder about the critical value firm impressions. have, Richard Castellini, CareerBuilder.com’s senior career advisor, offers the following tips to avoid self-sabatase during your next job interview:

There’s no crying in baseball … or interviews

“Candidate got so nervous, she cried.”

“Candidate argued with the interviewer, got up and left. The best part is he called later to see if he got the job.”

It doesn’t take a village

“Candidate brought her kids with her.”

“Candidate brought his mom.”

Curbing your enthusiasm

“Candidate disclosed she only wanted the job for the employee discount.”

“Candidate asked for directions to another interview.”

“Candidate removed his hearing aid.”

Etiquette shmetiquette

“Candidate forgot what position she was applying for, but wanted to know how soon she could have my office.”

“Candidate said you must be busy because your office is really messy.”

Hugh Hefner called, he wants his pants back

“Candidate came in wearing pajama bottoms and flip flops.”

“Candidate arrived in a revealing shirt.”

Did you hear the one about …?

“Candidate’s opening comment was a dirty joke.”

Made in the shade-e

“Candidate inquired about the location of the company’s security cameras.”

“Candidate admitted she would not pass the mandatory drug test.”

Last call

“Candidate brought wine to the interview and offered me a glass.”

“Candidate made a pass at the hiring manager.”

[Nicodema]

I wonder if some of those dopey job candidates were collecting unemployment benefits and simply did not really want to be employed there? It is mandatory to apply to at least 2 jobs per week when collecting unemployment (I think, something like that) so maybe they were just making quota on the dole or something.

I've flubbed interviews before -- drawn a blank, given a dumb answer, etc. -- but thankfully I don't think I've flubbed them in the ways listed above!