5 Small Things That Annoy Interviewers

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As to arriving too early, I've done that, but I've come prepared to do something useful in that time. I'm a writer, so while I am waiting for an appointment I can be outlining an article, making a shopping list or doing something else useful (not simply doodling or make-work) so as to make use of the time and NOT have the other party feel any pressure. I've even flipped through a magazine in the waiting area with a notepad in hand, not merely to avoid the appearance of being bored but because I wanted to be prepared in case I found something useful.
It's not the time to go texting, answering voice mail or surf the web.

Scott Hedrick of FL 7:20PM December 11, 2010

I work and live in San Francisco and wear a suit to every one of my interviews. Of course it depends on where you are interviewing; not wearing a suit to a nonprofit startup vs a financial institution or law office, but it never hurts to show respect to the institution you are interviewing at. Plus, most everyone looks good in a suit and picking out a two piece suit is much easier than putting together an entire outfit from scratch and then having to worry about whether it's appropriate to the company culture. I currently work for a major nonprofit and neither myself nor my colleagues have ever laughed at a candidates for wearing a suit to an interview. On the contrary, I recall one female candidate who was disqualified for showing too much skin.

Bonnie of CA 4:06PM August 11, 2010

ontyime1.txt;4;5

BFzlDFHjNVHu of 1:03PM August 10, 2009

Juls,
I think sfinsf needs to get over her or himself, but in the meantime---as someone pursuing an accounting career, you should consider paying less attention to archaic conspiracy relics like the four-minute rule, and the waiting game that interviewers are seemingly playing with you. They're not, they are simply consumed with tasks that have them running late, and any interviewer who makes an important hiring decision inside four minutes is a poor,inexperienced one, unless the candidate is a screaming "NO" at first appearance. Assuming you're not such an abject loser, but a legitimate accountant candidate, I'd pay more attention to my accuracy and precision than is evidenced by your own post, and make sure that such sloppiness is not finding its way into your application, resume, appearance and interview style.

Hunter of CA 8:49PM May 05, 2009

You're joking, right? I am 52 years old (look much younger, very tall and thin) and if I wore a SUIT to an interview here in San Francisco (unless it was a job at a bank or brokerage firm) I would be treated like I was a Martian! My biggest problem is trying to figure out how to look professional but not overdressed (a sign of middle-age and unhipness). I ABHOR it and think it's disgusting, but 25-year olds are going to work wearing flip-flops and t-shirts. It's VERY hard to know how to dress for interviews these days. Look put together, and it's like wearing a sign that says you're a dinosaur -- esp. since half the girls do look like they just got off their pole-dancing shift at the strip club. Eesh!

mintocrags of CA 9:40PM May 02, 2009

Dear "Juls,"
I don't know where you moved to California from but, as a second generation Californian, someone needs to tell you that there is NO STATE called "Cali." There also is no place called "Frisco" (it is a town in Texas, known for its railroad) and no city called "San Fran."
Perhaps you are losing jobs not because you are early, etc., but because you talk about how much you love living in "Cali"!
Eegads...like nails on a blackboard to a real Californian.

sfinsf of CA 9:37PM May 02, 2009

Hi,
I am seeding employment in the accounting field, and have noticed that being more then 10 min. early seems to force the interview to be 10 min. late to greet me. This seems to be a game interviewers are playing (at least in southern cali.).
I have also heard that interviewers know if you are the one they will consider in the first 4 min. of the intervweiw. I want to know how this can be if the first four min. was taken by the interviewer giving details about the company. How do people make such fast decisions in interviews...what are we doing to turn them off??
I for one show up a little early, dress prof., learn something about the company and culture, and have a few questions for them about the company and the job. I'm confused how the four minute factor is used by interviewers, and you explaing.

Juls of CA 4:03PM February 10, 2009

When I go to a job interview, I have no idea how long it will take so I aim to get there way early. Often I make it just one time, and one time, I had to run on the side of a highway just to avoid being late. Yes, I know, I don't drive, it's a crime, but I need a job before I can afford a car so it's a Catch 20.
When I get to the job early, I usually hide then go in 10 minutes early. By the time I find the proper office, I usually am on time.
I don't know why coming early is such a crime. If a person is early they are doing their best in an unknown situation, and I think that this should be rewarded not punished. People who are interviewing and hiring can just make us wait. We know we are way early. That's OK, we expect to wait. It's better than being late. It's impossible to take a bus to an unknown location and wind up there precisely 5 minutes early.

Leeroy Glinchy of CA 5:41PM January 01, 2009

If I detect that something is not right with the interviewer (e.g. annoyed, spilled coffee on his favorite shirt, distracted by a family issue), I would ask, "Is this still a good time for the interview?" If he/she says no (or has slight hestiation), I would offer to re-schedule the interview.
There's only upside by doing this. If the interviewer is having a bad day, it's unlikely one would get a fair evaluation.

Lewis, AKA SeattleInterviewCoach.com of WA 10:22PM December 31, 2008

I agree with this, but I had a terrible experience very recently where an admin assistant confirmed with me twice (phone and email) that the start time was 12 noon, but when I got to the interview I was told they weren't expecting me until 12:30. Rather than argue with them, I apologized for the misunderstanding and offered to leave and come back, but the director came out, visibly annoyed, and the interview went downhill from there. It was awful - and it was for a job I really, really wanted and thought was a great fit. I am just wondering how I could have salvaged this, or just chalk it up to the capriciousness of job hunting these days.
I am finding, with the economy such as it is, a little less professionalism with the people I have been interviewing with (along with some self-destructive desperation, for sure, on the part of us job-seekers). Maybe AAM can address this particular issue in a future column.

KatinPhily of PA 11:54AM December 31, 2008