What do nail biting,
answering your cell phone, and lying have in common? They are all ways to blow
an interview.
According to a recent CareerBuilder.com survey, hiring managers identified the
top mistakes job candidates make. Read on about the worst qualities you can
display in an interview and real-life examples.
1. Poor Communication Skills
A candidate who has bad grammar, talks too much, or does not listen is a red
flag. Being too open during the interview is a killer, too. You should be
candid, but don't spill your guts with all your personal problems. And think
before you speak - one candidate at a drug treatment facility asked if they
drug-tested and if there was advance notice.
2. Poor Performance or Preparation
Yes, there are job seekers who don't prepare or even know what job they're
interviewing for. Physical ticks like lack of eye contact or extreme gestures
and movement turned off employers. Other candidates simply flaked out -
answering a cell phone, eating a sandwich, or jumping up out of the chair and
falling down.
3. Negative Attitude Displayed
Hiring managers are turned off by unenthusiastic, bored or arrogant behavior.
Using profanity, acting cocky, or putting down a previous boss will quickly
turn off an interviewer. One 37 year-old candidate said the only reason he
seeking a job was because his mother wanted him to.
4. Inappropriate Appearance
Improper dress and grooming can jeopardize an interview, too. Ladies, this is
not a pick-up opportunity, don't dress like you're going clubbing. Guys, jeans
and a t-shirt are not acceptable. Countless hiring managers cited instances of
candidates who obviously did not bathe. Think that's bad? Said one employer,
"One candidate did not wear shoes to the interview. How you can forget your
shoes?" Oh, and please be sober.
5. Lying on Resume or During Interview
Do you have to be told that dishonesty is a no-no? "One guy mentioned his
arrest after completing on an application that he had never been arrested,"
said one hiring manager. And just in case you weren't sure, stealing from a
prospective employer is also frowned upon in an interview.