As
a Recruiter we get feedback from interviews on a daily basis, in many cases
you get some very interesting comments and stories, with the occasional strange
ones. I thought it would be a good idea to share some of the interview
nightmares that candidates can get themselves into.
Candidate Interview Nightmares:
Body
Odour – It doesn't happen too often but I have had clients mention a candidate’s
hygiene in their feedback. If people can smell you before they see you then you
are not getting the job!
Not
knowing the Job Role – There can be no excuse for not reading the interview
preparation and job specification prior to attending the interview; one
candidate described a completely different position when asked what makes them
right for the role.
Looking
at your Mobile Phone – Mobile phones have no place in a job interview, it’s
inappropriate and very rude to acknowledge your mobile phone whilst speaking to
someone directly, let alone in an interview where you are being critiqued from
the first second.
Smelling
of Cigarettes – This is a popular comment among clients as a lot of smokers
tend to have a cigarette prior to an interview to calm their nerves; this is
totally acceptable to do so as long as you have given yourself plenty of time
to freshen up afterwards. It can be a very off-putting for the interviewer who
may not smoke themselves.
Drinking
prior to an interview – everyone likes a little Dutch courage when their
nervous and of course an interview can certainly be that but know where to draw
the line.
Inappropriately
Dressed – When you dress for interview it is imperative you turn up looking
professional and polished. We once had a client tell us of a candidate that turned
up wearing a woolly hat.
Weird and Very
Inappropriate - All
of the above should be basics to understand when you’re going into a job
interview but happen more than you would think, however they don’t come close
to the following Interview Nightmares.
We
had a candidate ask one of our clients out on a date which didn't go down too
well as the client was happily married.
Even
stranger than that was a candidate trying to switch the process around and ask
the client why they should hire him and having been told at the end it
would not be going any further,
proceeding to tell the client that the company were not a good fit for him.
And Finally….
Although
most interview nightmares are candidate led, we do come across the occasional
feedback regarding a client’s odd behaviour.
We
had one recent example of an employer interviewing a candidate with their feet on
the desk and texting on their phone whilst the candidate presented to them! It
came across as completely disrespectful and of course put the candidate off
working for the company.
Written by Liam Oakes
Liam is the Sales Recruitment
Manager at Aaron Wallis and has been with the company for 4 years after having
a career with the RAF; Liam has helped hundreds of Sales Professionals secure a
new Sales role and ensures that Aaron Wallis runs smoothly.
