In this environment, getting a job is still difficult, especially when it seems as if competition for open positions is tougher than it’s ever been. Employers are choosier and because they have the pick of so many candidates for each position, they can wait until they find exactly who their looking for.
This has added more than a little pressure and stress on those of you who are pounding the pavement looking for work. And sometimes this stress can cause you to make unnecessary mistakes during your interviews, mistakes that could cost you the job.
A new nationwide survey conducted for the jobsite, CareerBuilder.com by Harris Interactive, polled more than 2,400 hiring managers to find out some of the most outrageous and common mistakes that some candidates have made in job interviews.
When asked what the most outrageous blunders they encountered when interviewing candidates here’s what they came up with. The top ten candidate mistakes were:
* Providing a detailed listing of how their previous employer made them mad
* Hugging the hiring manager at the end of the interview
* Eating all the candy from the candy bowl while trying to answer questions
* Constantly bad mouthing their spouse.
* Blowing her nose and then lining up the used tissues on the table in front of her.
* Bringing a copy of a college diploma that had obviously been white-outed and their name added
* Wearing a hat that said "take this job and shove it"
* Talking about how an affair cost him a previous job
* Throwing his beer can in the outside trashcan before coming into the reception office
* Having a friend come in and ask "HOW MUCH LONGER?"
As for the most common mistakes you can make in an interview:
* Answering a cell phone or texting during the interview – 71%
* Dressing inappropriately – 69%
* Appearing disinterested – 69%
* Appearing arrogant – 66%
* Speaking negatively about a current or previous employer – 63%
* Chewing gum – 59%
* Not providing specific answers – 35%
* Not asking good questions – 32%
Rosemary Haefner, vice president of human resources for CareerBuilder, says the goal of any interview is to stand out from the other candidates and ultimately land the job. Just make sure you stand out for the right reasons. Even though the job search process can be frustrating, candidates should stay positive, focus on their strengths and be prepared on how to best sell their skill set.
Haefner offers the following tips for successful interviews in a competitive job market:
* Keep it upbeat: Many job seekers may be experiencing tougher than usual job searches in this economy. Even if your job search process has been frustrating, do what you can to remain positive and upbeat.
* Prepare, prepare, prepare: Before the interview, research the company by looking at the press room for recent announcements, the About Us section for company culture, and the list of products so you are familiar with their offerings. Having this knowledge will allow you to easily answer and ask questions during the interview.
* Keep it professional, not personal: Don't let business decorum disappear even in the interview is in a casual setting. Refrain from discussing over-the-top personal issues and focus on the position and selling yourself.
* Practice does make perfect: Nerves are likely to rear their head in an interview, so help calm them ahead of time by practicing. Go through common interview questions with a friend or family member and practice in front of mirror so you can see read your body language.
* Honesty is the best policy: If questions come up that you don't know how to answer, don't lie or pretend you know. Admit that you may not know the answer, but then explain how you would go about finding a solution, proving your resourcefulness.
