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Anonymous
05/22/19 at 3:30PM UTC
in
Career

This question goes out especially to hiring managers or those who've worked in a hiring capacity — what's the worst mistake you've seen a candidate make in an interview?

Interviews can be anxiety-inducing, so anytime I've been in the interviewer's seat, I try to approach candidates with empathy. That said, there are certain mistakes that you'd be doing a disservice to both yourself and the company to ignore. For me, the most glaring mistake I encountered was when a candidate addressed me by the wrong name at least 4 or 5 times during the interview, despite me re-stating my name in the beginning. Not only did it show the candidate wasn't listening to me during our conversation, but it revealed a sense of carelessness on their part — we'd already exchanged multiple emails at this point, and he really should've done some research on me and my role at the company besides. What's the biggest mistake you've seen a candidate make during the interview process?

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Join the conversation...
Julez
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986
05/31/19 at 5:40PM UTC
One candidate asked if we provided free food and snacks and what were they? He cared about food over the interview.
ArielCapers
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651
05/31/19 at 5:29PM UTC
I think people should still bring a printed version of their resumes. Does anyone else agree?
Olivia Oz
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846
05/31/19 at 4:40PM UTC
Not only did this person leave their cell phone on, the candidate went to check the text during the interview.
Ceci
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1.91k
05/31/19 at 4:27PM UTC
I've asked someone to rate themselves on a scale of 1-10 for their abilities communication skills. He gave himself a 2... This position was for a strong communications role.
Trisha Styles
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591
05/31/19 at 5:16PM UTC
Wow. The self-esteem must not have been there!
Kim Moore
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19
05/24/19 at 2:19PM UTC
I had two that have stood out as what not to do's in the past week. The first was being rude to the interviewer. And the second was reciting a list of demands as her response to my asking "do you have any questions for me". She then called to follow up while she was on the clock at her other job. She literally said, "This is Sue from x department, following up on our previous conversation". I couldn't send the rejection email fast enough.
PennyRem
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450
05/31/19 at 3:42PM UTC
Interview 101: Don't be rude to an interviewer. That's too bad but I guess an easy way to narrow down choices.
Sandra Diaz
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764
I leverage data and systems to deliver results.
05/24/19 at 2:01PM UTC
Not asking questions regarding the challenges related ot the role, what the company values, etc. It shows me the person has not imagined themselves in the role and therefore are not truly interested in working with us.
Elizabeth Marie
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1.58k
05/31/19 at 4:11PM UTC
Great point.
Blake
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146
05/23/19 at 1:38PM UTC
There are so many! I'd say sme top ones are using too much "I" and not team or we. Not discussign what they will bring to the company, asking about benefits too soon in conversation makes me leary. aving a tongue pierced so they slurr all words as they talk.
Anonymous
05/22/19 at 11:55PM UTC
I once had a candidate respond to a question with a saying they "always say" that involved a bathroom bodily function. If the fact that they were wearing too much cologne wasn't already a deal breaker that comment definitely was! We couldn't end that interview quickly enough.
Anonymous
05/22/19 at 7:46PM UTC
Not following up with a thank you and then not being responsive (timely) in their reply. dealbreakers
Dawn A
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51
Boss, mother, outdoor enthusiast
05/22/19 at 6:31PM UTC
I recently had someone interviewing for an entry-level position at my company come into the interview completely stoned (red eyes, lost concentration, slurred some words, laughed out of nowhere). Needless to say, we ended the interview early. Another mistake I have seen far too many times is when asking what they have done at a prior job that went above and beyond.. Then the interview candidate will use that time to explain when they had a difficult customer/client but couldn't really do anything to make them happy. You should always try and paint yourself in a positive light during interviews, not make yourself look worse.
PennyRem
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450
05/31/19 at 3:41PM UTC
Oh wow! Could you smell the weed on him as well?

You're invited.

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