Job Seekers Reveal True Character in Interviews

January 15, 2013 (PLANSPONSOR.com) Inexperience with proper interview etiquette or the pressure to make a good impression can sometimes cause job seekers to show surprising errors in judgment.

Hiring managers interviewed by CareerBuilder provided examples of the most peculiar behaviors they witnessed in job interviews: 

  • Candidate said he had to quit a banking position because he was always tempted to steal; 
  • Candidate denied that he had a cell phone with him even though it could be heard ringing in the briefcase beside him; 
  • Candidate emptied the employer’s candy dish into her pocket; 
  • Candidate said he didn’t like getting up early and didn’t like to read; 
  • Candidate asked to be paid “under the table;
  • Candidate reached over and placed a hand on the interviewer’s knee; 
  • Candidate commented that he would do whatever it takes to get the job done, legal or not; 
  • Candidate hugged the president of the company; 
  • Candidate called his wife to see what they were having for dinner; 
  • Candidate asked to postpone the start date so she could still get holiday gifts from vendors at her current job; 
  • Candidate called in sick to her current employer during the interview, faking an illness; 
  • Candidate said he didn’t want the job if he had to work a lot; 
  • Candidate wouldn’t answer a question because he thought they would steal his idea and not hire him. 

 

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Aside from these obvious examples, hiring managers cited other behaviors, seen more frequently, that are detrimental mistakes in job interviews. Appearing disinterested is the number one turnoff, according to 62% of employers.  

Other mistakes cited include: 

  • Answering a cell phone or texting60%;
  • Dressing inappropriately60%; 
  • Talking negatively about a current or previous employer58%; 
  • Failure to make eye contact72%; 
  • Failure to smile42%;  
  • Bad posture38%; 
  • Not providing specific examples34%; and 
  • A weak handshake28%. 
The survey was conducted online within the U.S. by Harris Interactive on behalf of CareerBuilder among 2,611 hiring managers and human resource professionals and 3,991 workers (employed full-time, not self-employed, nongovernment) between November 1 and November 30, 2012.

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