SELF-DEFEATING JOB INTERVIEWS: Do You Display Annoying Behaviors?

by Willette Coleman (c)2014

People talk.  And Human Resource people talk to each other about workforce issues – from new labor policies and regulations, to how some people they interviewed behave.  One interviewer told her peer that an applicant said “if he was hired, he’d teach me ballroom dancing at no charge, and started demonstrating.”

Following is a short list of a long list of examples of obnoxious and ridiculous (although humorous) behaviors that resulted in self-defeating job interviews.  

-         An applicant “returned that afternoon asking if we could redo the entire interview.”

-         Another “took three cellular phone calls; said she had a similar business on the side.”

-         Applicant “walked in and inquired ‘why am I here’. ”

-         Another, “After being asked a difficult question, wanted to leave the room momentarily to meditate.”

-         Candidate was told to take his time answering, “so he began writing down each of his answers before speaking.”

-         Another “arrived with a snake around her neck; said she took her pet everywhere.”

-         Applicant “handed me an employment contract and said I’d have to sign it if he was going to be hired.”

-         When asked about his ambitions, an applicant said, “Losing 20 pounds and getting along better with his little sister.”

-         Another “walked in and sat in my chair and insisted I sit in the interviewee’s chair.”

-         Candidate “said he left his last job when his computer started speaking to him.”

-         Another “wanted to borrow the fax machine to send out some letters.”

Then there is the candidate who annoyingly, albeit unconsciously, repeatedly responds with “like” and “uh”.  I overheard a candidate say in a 20-minute interview:   “Uh, like, I was responsible for organizing, like, uh, the files, that, like, had to be set up in a way that the managers could, like, uh, get to right away.”  Other examples, such as “No problem” or “No worries,” are found in Annoying and Overused Phrases to Avoid onJob Interviews.

Pay close attention to distracting mannerisms you may unconsciously exhibit.  Ask yourself:  Do I

-         bite my nails,

-         fidget with my clothes,

-         shake my leg/frequently cross and uncross my legs, 

-         chew and pop gum (an absolute NO NO!),

-         suck my teeth?

DON’T

-         Tell jokes.  They have no place in an interview.  “Humor and a degree of casualness can be fine, but win over the interviewer with well-informed answers and a bit of humility,” says career adviser, Trudy Steinfeld. 

-         Mention politics and religion.  They can cause discomfort and controversy. Interviewers are interviewing you because of your credentials and experience, not your religion or politics. 

-         Wear enough cologne or perfume to choke two cows and a horse.  An interviewer could be allergic to or turned off by your chosen scent.  Even perfumed lotions can be annoying.  Best bet?  Keep it clean.     

Before going on an interview, ask a professional, friends and relatives to gently point out any annoying habits you may fail to see, or video tape yourself doing a mock interview.  Keep in mind that behavior is as important as appearance (attire), knowledge and experience.  Showcase the professional you. 

See more self-defeating behaviors at 15 Ways to Annoy Your Job Interviewer. 

Thanks for reading,

Magic, Miracles & Blessings,

Willette