Interview mistakes: how to make interviewers uninterested in you

Jennifer Tortorella at The Headhuntress Blog points out some of the stranger interview behaviour that was uncovered during Careerbuilder's annual Interview Mistakes survey. Somehow, flushing the toilet during a telephone interview didn't go over so well...

Anyway, from the hiring managers themselves, here are the biggest mistakes you can make during an interview:

51% said dressing inappropriately was the most detrimental mistake
49% disliked candidates talking negatively about a former employer
48% disliked candidates who acted uninterested in the interview
44% disliked candidates who appeared arrogant
30%: not answering questions well
29%: not asking good questions

Good interviewing is all about engaging the interviewer. Anything that distracts or takes away from that engagement can hurt you badly in an interview

What not to wear to a job interview

I'm speechless...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/16577770@N00/2329011550/sizes/m/

Found via Digg.com

Death to the Killer Resume

Karen Swim at Secrets of the Job Hunt has a great riff on the "killer" resume. This (formerly) trendy term has run its course and it's time to focus on the real purpose of the resume: to leave the prospective employer wanting to know more about you.

An employer posts a job because they need someone to do a certain task that will help the company meet its goals. Your job, when you apply, is to show that you have the experience and skills to help the company meet that goal. If your resume reflects your objectives, experience and qualifications and they mesh with the needs of the company, that is what it takes to engage the hiring manager. That's the "kill".

Apologies

My apologies for taking a bit of a blogging vacation - things around here suddenly got very hectic. We got slammed for people by our biggest client and one of Calgary's biggest employers, and it was a bit of a madhouse trying to find people to fill all the jobs we had available.

Also, the boss discovered the blog and I'm not 100% sure what will happen next. I'll keep blogging until a decision is made one way or another. My fingers are crossed that it will become an official thing...

What's the best way to get fired?

I've been fired once (I deserved it), and I've almost been fired a couple of times (I'm learning I don't make a very good employee sometimes).

Most employees think that their mistakes will get them fired, but unless you have a real crank for a boss - and you own up to your mistakes and don't repeat them, most mistakes won't get you fired.

What gets you fired is attitude - a bad one and lots of it. Bad attitudes show up in a lot of different ways: absenteeism and lateness, poor performance, not caring about your job and being unapproachable. But the worst display of a bad attitude comes in meetings.

Your eyes roll at every suggestion, you act bored and indifferent, you don't participate, you argue and you are generally disruptive. Nothing bothers supervisors, managers and bosses like someone who is disruptive and difficult in a meeting (that was me in an almost-fired moment).

Ian McKenzie at Human Resources 101 lists 5 points of the participant's role in a meeting, and #2 is key: Look confident and interested. If a boss feels that an employee is engaged, happiness follows.

Having attitude problems? Discover the source by looking in the mirror.

Field Guide to Annoying Interviewers and Interviewees: The Swearer

The Swearer (cursus damnerii)

Class: None.

Description: Generally male; female swearers are uncommon but not rare. Swearers are difficult to spot as their plumage is often identical to others. Swearers are more common in interviewees; finding a Swearer as an interviewer is exceedingly rare.

Call: The call is what distinguishes the Swearer from other species. The general speech patterns are interlaced with foul language; common words include sh** and f**k, other words are less commonly used, and range from the more mild d**n to the very offensive (especially to females) ****. As Swearers mature, the level of offensiveness often resides, and more mature Swearers often do not use the identifying language at all, making older swearers difficult to spot.

Notes: Don't. Just don't. However, people who swear often do this as a part of their every day speech patterns and don't realize they are swearing until a word slips out. Unfortunately, at this point, it's often too late. When a Swearer is preparing for an interview, it would be prudent to get someone to monitor the language, or to self-monitor. In the days leading up to the interview, get out of the habit of swearing. The interview is a place where you shouldn't say anything you wouldn't say to your Grandmother (unless she's a Swearer, too).

Spotted an annoying habit in an interviewer or an interviewee? Send your observation to dave (at) officejobs (dot) com

Field Guide to Annoying Interviewers and Interviewees: The Sniffer

The Sniffer (noisyus nostrilus inhalerii)

Class: Generally an interviewee, although this behaviour has been spotted in less professional interviewers.

Description: Can come in many forms, but is primarily identified by red coloration around the nostrils.

Range: Widely found, but most common in northern climates.

Season: Most "Sniffers" can be found in the winter and hayfever seasons

Call: Can be anything to a subtle sniff to a wet snorking sound. The sound is produced by a sharp intake of air through the nostrils. This intake is commonly user to control the flow of mucus in the nose. The sound can be very distracting, irritating or disgusting, especially in interview situations.

Notes: An interviewer can offer a tissue to a Sniffer, although a Sniffer should use their own tissues, and clear the nose before the interview (and wash their hands after blowing). If the Sniffing is constant or persistent, the Sniffer should postpone the interview or take a decongestant or antihistamine a reasonable time before the interview.

Spotted an annoying habit in an interviewer or an interviewee? Send your observation to dave (at) officejobs (dot) com