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View All NewsStaffing firm OfficeTeam lists embarrassing job interview mistakes
December 17, 2014
OfficeTeam, a division of Robert Half International Inc. (NYSE: RHI) surveyed more than 600 managers in the US and Canada on the most embarrassing job interview mistakes.
Some of their responses included:
- “The candidate called the interviewer by the wrong name.”
- “One job seeker had lettuce in his teeth when he arrived.”
- “An interviewee was so nervous she almost fainted.”
- “The applicant did a song and dance routine in hopes of getting the job.”
- “Someone brought his pet dog.”
- “When a woman was asked to tell the interviewer a little about herself, she didn’t have anything to say.”
Some job seekers failed to dress the part:
- “An applicant showed up in sweatpants.”
- “The person was wearing mismatched shoes.”
- “One candidate didn’t realize his zipper was down.”
These professionals should have watched what they said:
- “Someone started swearing during the interview.”
- “A candidate claimed he was late because he got lost, but the receptionist said she saw him hanging out at the coffee shop.”
- “One job applicant was caught lying on her resume during the meeting.”
Others didn’t realize that actions speak louder than words:
- “A candidate fell asleep.”
- “The person was checking his cell phone and chewing gum during the interview.”
- “One applicant said he never lets people see him sweat — but he was sweating profusely.”
This job seeker made the ultimate of interview mistakes:
- “A guy didn’t know what job he was applying for.”
And sometimes, the interviewers were guilty of cringe-worthy moments:
- “Someone spilled a pot of hot coffee on the candidate.”
- “An interviewer walked into the closet instead of the meeting room.”
- “A hiring manager was reading the wrong person's resume.”