By Anthony Balderrama,
Why it's a mistake: Hugging is never appropriate in an interview.
CareerBuilder's annual look at the strangest interview mistakes
shows how frequently job seekers say and do the wrong things during
interviews. Some of these missteps could have been the result of nerves,
and others are just so weird there's no way to explain them.
Here are 13 outrageous and real interview mistakes that surveyed employers have experienced and how you should avoid them:
Strange interview mistake No. 1: Candidate said he had to quit a banking position because he was always tempted to steal.
Why it's a mistake: No one wants to hire a potential thief.
What you should do: Say you wanted to explore other
options or you needed a position that aligned with your career goals.
Honesty is great, but an employer doesn't want to hear that you're
possibly going to rob the company.
Strange interview mistake No. 2: Candidate denied that he had a cell phone with him even though it could be heard ringing in his briefcase.
Why it's a mistake: A ringing phone is a simple mistake; a lie is a deal breaker.
What you should do: Say, "Excuse me" and quickly
turn the ringer off. A sincere apology shows you're sorry and lets you
get back to the conversation at hand.
Strange interview mistake No. 3: Candidate emptied the employer's candy dish into her pocket.
Why it's a mistake: It's just weird.
What you should do: Take a single piece of candy
like a normal person. Pouring the entire bowl of candy into your purse
makes it seem like you have no manners.
Strange interview mistake No. 4: Candidate said he didn't like getting up early and didn't like to read.
Why it's a mistake: Separately, these statements
sound like red flags warning the employer you're not keen on working too
hard. Together, these statements are worrisome.
What you should do: If early morning isn't your
preferred time to rise, you can admit that as long as you counter it by
saying you have no trouble staying late. This works only if getting up
early isn't vital to the position for which you're applying. Also, if
you're asked what books you've read recently, you should have at least
one title to mention. If the questions continue down that path, explain
that you spend most of your time outdoors or doing something else
productive with your time.
Strange interview mistake No. 5: Candidate asked to be paid "under the table."
Why it's a mistake: Ethical employers frown on illegal activity.
What you should do: Don't ask to be paid illegally.
Strange interview mistake No. 6: Candidate reached over and placed a hand on the interviewer's knee.
Why it's a mistake: Aside from the handshake, you shouldn't touch the interviewer.
What you should do: Keep your hands folded on your
lap, writing in your notebook or resting on the table. Basically, keep
them anywhere that isn't the interviewer's body.
Strange interview mistake No. 7: Candidate commented that he would do whatever it takes to get the job done, legal or not.
Why it's a mistake: Crossing the line from passionate to a legal liability is worrisome for a company.
What you should do: Stress your passion for the job
and how eager you are to reach the company's goals. Employers want to
know you've got the strong will to make things happen, not that you're
breaking the law on their behalf.
Strange interview mistake No. 8: Candidate hugged the president of the company.Why it's a mistake: Hugging is never appropriate in an interview.
What you should do: Unless there is some very
unusual exception to the rule, interviewers and job seekers shouldn't
hug. You really shouldn't hug the president of the company, unless
you've been asked to do so. (And if you have been asked to hug the
president, you probably should find out why.)
Strange interview mistake No. 9: Candidate called his wife to see what they were having for dinner.
Why it's a mistake: Your focus should be on the interview. Phone calls are never appropriate mid-interview.
What you should do: If there's an urgent matter,
such as your child is sick, explain to the interviewer that you might
need to step out of the room if an emergency call comes in or that
rescheduling might work better. What's for dinner is not an emergency.
Strange interview mistake No. 10: Candidate asked to postpone the start date so she could still get holiday gifts from vendors at her current job.
Why it's a mistake: That's not a good excuse.
What you should do: If this or any other frivolous
reason is why you want to postpone the start date, make up a better
reason. Simply saying, "I have a prior engagement I can't get out of,"
is better than saying "I want gifts."
Strange interview mistake No. 11: Candidate called in sick to her current employer during the interview, faking an illness.
Why it's a mistake: You're showing your potential boss that you have no trouble lying.
What you should do: Interviewing is tricky, because
you usually have to lie in order to get out of the office to get to the
interview. Employers know that. However, they don't need you to tell
that lie in front of them. It's a sign that you don't know how to be
discreet and professional.
Strange interview mistake No. 12: Candidate said he didn't want the job if he had to work a lot.
Why it's a mistake: No one will hire a lazy person.
What you should do: Don't admit you don't want to
work a lot. If there's one thing you shouldn't say in an interview, it's
that you're looking for a job where hard work isn't a requirement.
Strange interview mistake No. 13: Candidate wouldn't answer a question, because he thought they would steal his idea and not hire him.
Why it's a mistake: This answer makes you sound greedy and paranoid.
What you should do: You definitely don't want to
hand over all of your genius ideas and secrets, because a crooked
company could steal them. However, you should be prepared to give a
sample of your ideas, because sitting in silence or refusing to answer
the question doesn't help the interviewer evaluate you.