20 Ways to Annoy Your Job Interviewer

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I could NOT agree with you more!! I know that sounds so backwards but everything in your review/comments were DEAD ON! I have a pretty heavy resume in IT on top of I'm very people oriented. I love to interact with people even the introverted ones. What I don't like is the incompetence that lies within the interviewers. You can tell them verbatim to the job description what you have and how you can contribute to the company. There's nothing worse than to interview with someone who has no idea what they are looking for. I don't know maybe it's a blessing in disguise. ;-) Wow, I could go on but you seemed to have hit the nail on the head.

Cindy of CO 4:57PM October 30, 2009

Any media training, and that includes conducting interviews, tells you not to worry about your hands. Let them fly because that's the only way you're going to be relaxed.
So, if the interviewer is annoyed by waving hands, it's the interviewer's fault.

Guy of CA 8:35PM October 29, 2009

If you're asked to lunch keep it professional, (never, never hit on the waitress!) You're still being interviewed even if the "formal" interview is over. I thought we had a potential hire for my group until he embarrassed us by making inappropriate suggestions to our waitress. He seemed very surprised that he didn't get the job in my group and his afternoon interviews within the company were canceled.

Onceuponatimeboss of TX 12:09PM September 29, 2009

I attended an interview that had a chair that if you sat upright and leant against the back panel it fell back! How disconcerting is that!! At the end of the interview the hiring manager said he would change the chair for the next person! Well great for the next person but hardly fair on me...I thought!
Also I was informed that they had a visitor for the day that was attending the interview as a second interviewer....again how fair was that....none of the other candidates would have this scary person interview them!
My CV is good that is why I get the interviews, I know how to behave at interviews....I am a certified interviewer. I am constantly amazed how poor people are at the interviewing process and if anyone can give some real advice in which company to apply to where the process is fair then pls. let me know!!!
Please don't tell me I don't get the job because I am annoying! Real advice welcome!

Annoyed NYC of NY 11:51AM September 29, 2009

There are some things on that list I completely agree with, such as the gum chewing. Then, there are other things that I think are way over the top, such as sniffling. Really? I can't sniffle? What if I have a cold, am I supposed to let the snot run down my nose? Oh sure, that'll make me a viable candidate for the role. Also, I'm a bit surprised that tooting didn't make the list.
And smiling too much considering annoying? Are you kidding me? I'd have to wonder about the person doing the interviewing why they're so offended by smiling. Why didn't the smell of cigarette smoke make the list? That's something to be offended by, for sure.
Don't interview me. You will hate me, because i LOVE to smile, and I shouldn't be in the position to worry how the interviewer will perceive my "excessive happiness" over all that I have accomplished during my tenure.

Disengagedjudi.com of LA 8:43AM September 25, 2009

hahahahaha, i'm probably the most annoying person in the world :D 90% guilty

loubna of CA 2:57AM July 31, 2009

I'm so glad I'm not annoying! I work very hard at being physically (as well as mentally) composed in an interview. I actually work to make the interviewer feel comfortable. Maybe it's my acting training, or the need to be liked, but I love interviewing. Call me crazy.

tina of WA 2:31PM July 20, 2009

I was thinking, Michael, of those people who "talk with their hands." It can be charming, BUT there are folks who find it an annoying and distracting trait.
Me, I think it's okay, as long as the hands are not too close to my face (in which case it makes me a little dizzy....).

Working Girl of WA 1:16PM July 16, 2009

Having once been a headhunter, I could relate--I've never seen some of the behavours listed here such as #14 & #17, however, I have seen & interviewd some very interesting *candidates* - such as those who come in w/ inch-long blue fingernails, coloured ahir, Goth-style dress (no offense meant to the Goth community), things of this nature...
I had started out myself as an administrative temp, then worked my way *up* to the Other Side of the Desk, as an "Account Executive", eventually head-hunting for COOs, CFOs, CEOs and the like. My favourites were the tech-people though--and THEY were the easiset to sell as they went quick, and no one cared how they dressed... But the stories I could tell, from the Bad Ol' Days--!

Michael Shepherd of FL 11:49PM July 15, 2009