50 Worst of the Worst (and Most Common) Job Interview Mistakes

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Arriving late is the killer. You really can't get there too early - but if the desk attendant calls the manager at 30 mins prior and says, your interviewee is here, it can turn a little awkward. If you get there 15+ early sit quietly in the lobby, or in your car.

Ron of NC 10:44AM August 09, 2010

How about some comments and help for those of us who are over 50 years old and seem to have an even harder time finding work in this economy. I have visited a lot of websites just for my age group and not much has happened there, just as with regular websites. We could use a little help too! We face a lot of issues the younger generation doesn't.

Linda of SC 7:55PM July 19, 2010

I try not to ask to the use the restroom during an interview, even if it is a long one. If lunch is involved I will ask (and many times the person taking me to lunch will ask if I would like to use the restroom first, which is very nice and understanding; I think it goes a long way when an interviewer asks you because it shows that we are all human and have bathroom needs).
One thing that is embarrassing though is how to handle a bowel movement need. To have to pee is one thing, but being nervous during an interview actually affects my bowels more than anything. I have had #2 needs on several occasions and have managed to wait until the interview is over. Then I head to someplace nearby, usually a store or hotel to find a restroom. I have even stopped in at other nearby companies and explain my dilemma of needing a restroom badly after a long interview and they are usually very accommodating. It is such a relief to finally be able to use a toilet sometimes!

Megan of NJ 11:47AM July 11, 2010

So then where's the middle ground?
1. Arriving late.
2. Arriving too early
So arriving right at the nick of time is it? Usually no more than 15 minutes early is my goal.
19. Asking too many questions.
20. Asking no questions at all.
How do you know the right questions to ask? And how many of them? Is that too many questions?
37. Taking a seat before your interviewer does.
I've been in situations where I have been led to an office then my interviewer says "Have a seat, I'll be right back." Now what? Should you stand back up when they come back or what?
As far as most of the other stuff, you'd think it was common knowledge to not slouch or yawn or chew gum! I personally have felt too intimidated or nervous to blatantly ask for the job. I kinda feel like it's asking someone to commit to a long term relationship right after the first date. One thing I have done at a couple of places was to suggest to the interviewer to keep me in mind for open positions in other departments, I think it leaves on a positive note and it can show an employer that you want to be more than just the one thing they are asking for.

Liz of CA 11:51PM July 08, 2010

It's always good to start a strong impression beginning with the tone of voice and facial expression especially in a call center environment and of course being straight forward also helps but also be careful of not overdoing things.
I have a co applicant whose applying for the same position, Call Center Representative for an International banking firm, though he already have worked longer than me in the industry, he was a bit cocky and was over confident, I'd say too much, maybe simply because he has a friend from the inside. After the interview he was bragging to us that when he was asked if he has any questions he replied back: "No, I don't but do you have anymore questions for me? And by the way....how much do I get paid for doing this job?" I guess he must have been heard by the receptionist bragging about his interview he got turned down from the job.
Thing is being confident is good but never confused yourself from cockiness which of course most of us hate...play it cool and tone down down a bit in terms of being too aggressive or to comfortable with the interviewer.
I remembered my first interview...I was really nervous but I tried to hide it and made sure to make eye contact and always smile every now and then, also showing some facial expression(reaction) every now and then depending on the topic would also show that your also interested in what the other person has to say.

Rico M. Vergara of GA 7:08AM June 23, 2010

This is unfortunately why I will just remain a Site Property Manager for a long time to come now. Interviewing with employers has never been this difficult or so detailed. Now there's this whole new wave of "interviewing etiquette" that must be adhered to IF you have ANY chance of even getting an appt for an Interview! Honestly I feel a lot of this is to weed out not possible qualified candidates who may make a mistake or two during the interview, but to weed out minorities and the poor who desparately need good paying jobs just to stay afloat! Most minorities and poor can't afford college at all and are at least looking for that potential great employer who will give them an opportunity to show-case the skills they do have so they can return to school to pursue that educational degrees. I'm tired of companies tacking on new rules on top of more rules on top of many more rules in how to talk with them in getting a job! Its not about having proper techniques to talk with employers its more about keep minorities in their places ... poor and unsuccessful in life!!

Scary Boo of GA 11:16AM June 20, 2010

Dignity don't pay the bills. Besides if you become too agressive in an interview word gets around and the only job you can get is working minimum wage at a fast food resturant.
Be yourself follow your heart. My best advice if your turned down for a position, start a competing company and drive them into the ground then buy them out for pennies on the dollar.

BA of AR 4:10AM June 20, 2010

If you're not honest with yourself about what you can and are willing to do, don't bother to apply for the position. If you can't see yourself staying there with the company for a reasonable amount of time and it doesn't excite the "problem solver" within, move on. There is someone else who will be a better fit for that position and there is a position that will be a better fit for you.
I have been offered EVERY job I have ever interviewed for - and there have been quite a few! - save two. One was because of a previous falling-out with the interviewer, the other because I had less experience than the other candidate. Though I haven't accepted every position offered, they offered because I "exuded confidence and sincerity".
Once when asked how my customer service skills were for a call center operator position, I politely and respectfully counter-challenged the interviewer and said, "Have someone call me and I'll show you." Out of over 30 applicants, I got hired. Don’t ever go to an interview unprepared. Being confident – but not cocky - in your abilities and ready to prove on the spot that you're able to do the job exceptionally well is what will land the job.
Another thing employers look for is your desire to learn and try something new. Even just showing you've recently taken a course or seminar to learn a new skill, further develop an existing one, or challenge yourself in some way helps. I've had employers hire me simply because I could prove to them I was a fast and efficient learner by pointing out that I’m multilingual, as well as recent achievements in certifications unrelated to that particular field.
In one particular example, I was hired to fill a formerly non-existent position but after two weeks I was promoted to working directly with the CEO and VP of that company. Though I didn’t know a thing about accounting or Fibonacci numbers when I started, I was quickly entrusted with multimillion dollar global investment accounts because I showed that I was a sharp and detailed thinker, creative problem solver, and willing to work a little harder and smarter than others. If you don’t know something about a particular position within or an aspect of the company, it’s time to find out. You’re of far more value if you’re versatile and can fill any need that arises. A company will value and make a position for you if they think that you're able to quickly adapt, provide a more efficient way to get things done, and bring a different perspective in solution-finding to the table.
The bottom line is that if you don't see the value in yourself as a good worker, they won't either. You've got to take yourself seriously before anyone else will. You may not always be the most qualified, the right age, the most experienced, etc. but if you believe that you're worth the job and are sincerely confident in yourself, you'll show it in your demeanor and have what it takes to get the job. Be wise: if YOU wouldn't hire you, why should they?

Kelly of MI 2:58PM May 18, 2010

As a hiring manager, this article caught my eye, and for some reason I decided to proceed in reading it.
Take the time to read my comments, you may learn something.
I have screened hundreds and hundreds of candidates for various roles in my tenure with a fortune 500 company. In fact, I have conducted countless fairs where it was not unusual to talk to 100-200 people in a day.
At any rate, the picture you paint with your list is this imaginary, rigid frame that defines some poster child applicant. You are scaring people into believing that they cannot be themselves. Of course you expect someone not to chew tobacco or show up in a swim suit - are these really problems?
When I screen someone, there are three things I look for:
Experience - if not in the direct field they are applying for, something comparable that brings an advantage to the table. I at least need a foundation.
Personality - to the guy from KS complaining about being old and dried up: it's not your experience, or that so and so brings more sex appeal, it's that you're jaded, you've never been unemployed, and you haven't had to change your attitude yet. Keep standing in unemployment lines, reality sinks in quickly. You will realize that it's not 1991 anymore and the kids you are competing with can and will run circles around you. Lose the "everybody hates me" attitude, take some computer classes, and lighten up. This job market doesn't owe anybody anything, no matter how many years you have been "paying your dues". Get competitive. I have a good mix working for me right now: 3 college hires, 4 late 20's/early 30's, 2 in their 40's and 2 in their 50's, all with varying skill and experience ranges. And they're all making $75k or better.
Individuality - I want people with strong cologne, a handshake that is a bit too firm, nerves, or someone who strayed a bit during the interview and started talking about their neighbor's artwork. That's personality, and let's face it, we're all people.
I will remember and likely hire someone who is genuine (even if they miss things on this list), and I will read right through someone who comes in thinking their experience, education, or seasoned age makes them entitled to a job that they haven't yet earned. I will take the green, inexperienced, unlearned, youngster with drive in their eyes and passion in their hearts over a cocky veteran any day.
Do not be fooled by this article - be yourself. If you think you should wear jeans to an interview, do it. If it is a professional position, though, you are unlikely to even get a full interview. BUT - the point is, if your mind is in jeans, then find a job that puts you in jeans. Otherwise you're just chasing 100 different ways for your to be fake and untrue to yourself. That is all you will get from this article.

Above it of CO 2:58AM May 15, 2010

Robert of KS makes a great point.
When your experience, your accomplishments on the job and the continuity of your job history no longer matter, you wonder why it's suddenly OK for your experience and all you have to offer to be passed over for someone maybe female...prettier or more liberal with their values so as to be more "attractive" to the others in the office, or for youth or inexperience that ultimately costs that company more money than you'd ever cost them to trump your years of seasoning.
In the end, I believe it's not money the employer is concerned with. It's what THEY get out of your presence in the office.
Afterall, if you're not the type that gossips around the watercooler about that hot miniskirt the girl in Cubicle #3 is wearing today, your values are probably not as progressive as they should be.
If you were forced into unemployment and your credit got wrecked (God forBID you had medical issues during that time), prospective employers think you have "bad judgment" because you didn't plan for an extended period of unemployment, but then they hire some green, wet behind the ears barely out of high school/college dummy that thinks bills are the name of a football team, (but that's OK) and this is supposed to be better somehow.
IMHO, I think it all comes down to likeability. If you don't make a positive impact on your interviewer, you may as well as just not showed for the interview at all.
They say it's good to ask questions during an interview....this is a test to show how much about the company you know.
If all you're concerned about is the average age of the employees, you're not likely to get hired. If you structure questions based upon research and tailor those questions where the answers include you and your experience, then you have your best shot.
The older you get the harder it is to get employed unless you come with sterling references. Anyone who tells you that ageism is dead is lying to you.
If anyone tells you you're overqualified...that's when decorum ceases and you need to stick up for yourself. You need to reinforce that now that you've both established that your experience meets or exceeds the requirements for the job, there has to be some other reason for the employer to not like you, and it would then be appropriate to ask them "Why?"
If they can't answer you or they act like they can't believe you dared to ask THEM to qualify the "you're overqualified" statement, you can turn the tables on them by wresting the control from them.
By turning the tables on them in such a case, you've gone from a person being denied by the employer for a job to the person denying the employer the value of your services.
And you can walk out of that interview with your head held high and your dignity intact.

Todd of CA 12:09AM May 14, 2010