What is the most unusual thing a candidate has done in a job interview this year? Fall asleep? Disappear? Bring his or her mom? CareerBuilder.com released its annual survey of the most outrageous interview mistakes candidates have made, according to over 3,000 hiring managers and HR professionals nationwide. This year's Top 10 List includes:

1. Candidate answered cell phone and asked the interviewer to leave her own office because it was a "private" conversation.
2. Candidate told the interviewer he wouldn't be able to stay with the job long because he thought he might get an inheritance if his uncle died - and his uncle "wasn't looking too good."
3. Candidate asked the interviewer for a ride home after the interview.
4. Candidate smelled his armpits on the way to the interview room.
5. Candidate said she could not provide a writing sample because all of her writing had been for the CIA and it was "classified."
6. Candidate told the interviewer he was fired for beating up his last boss.
7. When applicant was offered food before the interview he declined, saying that he didn't want to line his stomach with grease before going out drinking.
8. A candidate for an accounting position said she was a "people person," not a "numbers person."
9. Candidate flushed the toilet while talking to the interviewer during a phone interview.
10. Candidate took out a hair brush and brushed her hair mid-interview.

employers were also asked about the most common and detrimental mistakes candidates have made during an interview.

In addition to the most unusual blunders, employers were also asked about the most common and detrimental mistakes candidates have made during an interview. More than half (51 percent) of hiring managers cited dressing inappropriately as the most damaging mistake a candidate can make in an interview. Speaking negatively about a current or previous employer came in second at 49 percent, and appearing disinterested ranked third at 48 percent. Other mistakes included appearing arrogant (44 percent), not providing specific answers (30 percent), and not asking good questions (29 percent).

The above blunders may be extreme examples of job seeker missteps, but hiring managers also make similar mistakes that drive away excellent candidates.

Interviews give both the employer and interviewee insight into what it will be like to work together. The above blunders may be extreme examples of job seeker missteps, but hiring managers also make similar mistakes that drive away excellent candidates. Remember that employed candidates are not desperate for a job and are often looking for a better opportunity than their current employer is providing.

Active job seekers often interview with multiple companies in the same week. Therefore, it is just as important for the people giving the interviews to be prepared as it is for the candidate. Familiarize yourself with a candidate's resume and background, be prepared with a list of targeted and general questions, and be strategic in the interview style that you choose.

This article was taken from CareerBuilder.com

Views: 169

Comment by Ambrish Kochikar on November 16, 2009 at 10:44am
Yup, these paths to failure have been tried and tested and continue to be the gold standard for unprepared candidates. Luckily, I haven't been at the receiving end of all of them. I haven't seen it all! :)
Comment by Jacqueline Bozorgi on November 16, 2009 at 11:34am
Haha this gave me a good laugh. I have some of my own.

1. Candidate brought his wife's resume and tried to get her a job, too.
2. Candidate showed up smelling like alcohal at noon
3. Candidate showed up with two very different colors of shoelaces
Comment by Kunin Associates on November 16, 2009 at 11:55am
Thank you for the cheerful comments!
Comment by Tina M. on November 16, 2009 at 5:56pm
I had one candidate show up on Halloween in a full witch costume - nose and all! She was interviewing for a high level executive position. I told her to go home. I also had another candidate tell me she was being watched by the CIA and wore fuzzy slippers to her interview. I had another candidate wear one high heeled shoe and another shoe that was flat. OH, and another candidate brought her little child with her to the interview. I work for call centers.....if you were wondering. :)
Comment by Jacqueline Bozorgi on November 17, 2009 at 10:03am
LOL Tina, your experiences are so much more interesting than mine!
Comment by AYLIN on November 20, 2009 at 4:27am
And my tragicomics;
Candidate supposed that he was here for another company’ s interview actually he was wrong:)
Candidate bursted into loud laughter while she was talking about her last job and I was looking at her like a cow...
Candidate called us while he was on the way and, although we mentioned the location of our company on the job ad, he told that the way was so far away from his home therefore he would like to cancel his interview (peah!)
Candidate was chewing gum and blowing bubble
Candidate forgot to zip his fly (uppss!)
Candidate was smelling awful and I could not stand more!
One cadidate was late for the interview exactly 2 hours without any notification and apologise!!
I was offered a drink of wine by a candidate!!! (of course I declined the offer politely)

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