https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Thu, 16 Jul 2026 12:27:02 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/worst-things-you-can-do-at-an-interview#post-761200 Sat, 04 May 2013 15:22:03 +0000 sunny 761200@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I break the "no jeans" rule all the time. But I work in tech and we're very, very casual.... :-)</p> <p>When I interview people, my biggest problem with them is if they can't speak to something on their resume. That is a huge no-no. In tech, we typically put a laundry list of technologies we work with... if you don't know C++, don't put C++ on your resume! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/worst-things-you-can-do-at-an-interview#post-761197 Sat, 04 May 2013 15:19:14 +0000 Mrs. Pen 761197@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Andrea: omg. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/worst-things-you-can-do-at-an-interview#post-761195 Sat, 04 May 2013 15:17:12 +0000 Andrea 761195@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I've had someone tell me that they wanted to work for the company "to make lots of Benjamins". Wow, just wow. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/worst-things-you-can-do-at-an-interview#post-761179 Sat, 04 May 2013 14:45:08 +0000 Mrs. Pen 761179@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@jh524: hahaha I laughed!</p> <p>@babyjmama: I had wondered that about nursing jobs - I wouldn't ever show up to an interview in scrubs but I guess I can see why they think that's appropriate. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/worst-things-you-can-do-at-an-interview#post-761080 Sat, 04 May 2013 13:17:45 +0000 doodlepoodle 761080@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm a recruiter in HR so I do 5-10 interviews a day. A lot of the people I hire are nursing staff so it's pretty common to have them show up in scrubs. The nurses who show up dressed professionally and with a resume in hand 99.9% of the time get the job. Not to say those who are in scrubs don't, but the people dressed nice certainly stand out more. It's sad, we hire HS students for our dining room and they're usually dressed and act more professionally than the people who have bachelors/masters degrees... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/worst-things-you-can-do-at-an-interview#post-761014 Sat, 04 May 2013 12:02:27 +0000 jh524 761014@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>So I had a phone interview once and they asked me the weirdest question..... If I could be any animal, what would I be and why. I proceeded to answer, Id be a bird so I could fly around all day and see what other people are doing. .......wow, nice answer! Needless to say, I got offered the job but didn't end up taking it. Lol </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/worst-things-you-can-do-at-an-interview#post-751043 Mon, 29 Apr 2013 16:15:18 +0000 Espion 751043@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My favorite so far is a residency candidate (i.e. medical student looking for a position to train in their chosen specialty) that listed "napping" under hobbies. She definitely picked the wrong career! lol </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/worst-things-you-can-do-at-an-interview#post-750787 Mon, 29 Apr 2013 14:13:05 +0000 Mrs. Lemon-Lime 750787@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Shutterbug: I agree, you can't go wrong about with a suit.</p> <p>My first HS job was at McDonald's and the General Manager was so impressed with me I had a twin set and nice slacks on. Most of the new hires wore jeans and tees.</p> <p>@littlek: Yes! Arrive early. </p> <p>To me, sending a timely and relevant "thank you" note is an impittant finish to the interview. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/worst-things-you-can-do-at-an-interview#post-750752 Mon, 29 Apr 2013 13:58:32 +0000 Happygal 750752@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I was always told not to be the one to bring up salary or vacation policy. </p> <p>The "I'm nervous!" statement would not be a definite negative for me. I've sat on interview panels before where people share this, and most everyone just tells them not to be. More off-putting to me would be someone who comes across as over-confident or too familiar. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/worst-things-you-can-do-at-an-interview#post-750682 Mon, 29 Apr 2013 13:20:49 +0000 Shutterbug 750682@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Pen: @honeybear: maybe this is just in my circle, but I think everyone should wear a "suit" type outfit to interviews, regardless of what the attire is at the company. Everyone I've interviewed has been in a suit even though I'm in jeans sometimes. Once you get the job you can dress like everyone else, but I think you should dress up for your interview. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/worst-things-you-can-do-at-an-interview#post-750672 Mon, 29 Apr 2013 13:13:52 +0000 honeybear 750672@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Pen: Agreed re: no jeans or midriff-revealing shirts. :) It isn't usually too hard to figure out what to wear and there are some items that just aren't appropriate pretty much ever. But I recall seeing a video clip a few weeks ago (I think it was on WSJ) about an office that was really hipster-casual 4 days out of the week, and then all the guys wore three-piece suits and ties on "Formal Fridays" (and the women also got dressed up). They said some poor guy showed up in his otherwise-appropriate, carefully-selected casual outfit for a Friday interview and found them all wearing their serious business attire. He must have wanted to melt into the floor! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/worst-things-you-can-do-at-an-interview#post-750556 Mon, 29 Apr 2013 12:42:46 +0000 littlek 750556@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would add:</p> <p>Arriving late<br /> Not having good personal grooming<br /> Not asking questions<br /> Asking inappropriate questions </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/worst-things-you-can-do-at-an-interview#post-750505 Mon, 29 Apr 2013 12:27:22 +0000 Mrs. Pen 750505@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@honeybear: I think in general dressing appropriately means no jeans, or mid driff baring tops ;) I have heard though that you should, if you can, check out the business and go see how people dress, then try to dress a notch above. My boss was wearing just a casual sweater, slacks and pumps and I wore an improv suit haha! But I got the job :) it is business casual and that is so vague for my office because you can wear leggings and boots or cords and a tee, but most wear sweaters with slacks... It's pretty ambiguous for sure. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/worst-things-you-can-do-at-an-interview#post-750477 Mon, 29 Apr 2013 12:14:23 +0000 Shutterbug 750477@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Freckles: LOL fedora! What was he thinking?</p> <p>I've been interviewing a lot of people at work this month, and it's interesting, to say the least. I'm not directly in the department that's hiring, so I'm sort of the neutral personality-gauging one. I tell the interviewees that I'm neutral so they can ask me whatever they want. Mostly they ask about salary and hours, haha. </p> <p>I had one guy in a suit coat 3x too big, slouched down in his chair, with his legs wide open, for the entire interview. I really just wanted to ask him to sit up straight - it was driving me crazy. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/worst-things-you-can-do-at-an-interview#post-750368 Mon, 29 Apr 2013 11:35:04 +0000 Freckles 750368@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Eh, i think there are worse things you can do during an interview. I don't really think fidgeting is that big of a deal, unless it becomes super distracting.</p> <p>One thing i used to do as a recruiter was be very friendly and get them to relax. Unfortunately for a lot of the candidates, this would cause them to let their guard down and act so unprofessional. Like telling me stuff i didn't need to know!</p> <p>One guy needed some time off because of his physiotherapy sessions...due to a gunshot wound!!</p> <p>@T.H.O.U.: This one guy was wearing a fedora, and as i approached him all i could think was, "please take off your hat before you shake my hand, please take off your hat!" Well, he didn't take off his hat, and kept it on during the intervew!!</p> <p>@Sammyfab: (congrats on the job!) I find that unless it's for a really buttoned up firm, or in the corporate field, people are lax about interview attire. I'm sure you looked great, anyway! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/worst-things-you-can-do-at-an-interview#post-750358 Mon, 29 Apr 2013 11:30:26 +0000 ladyfingers 750358@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I once had a weird interview where we were already off to a bad start because they proclaimed they didn't understand my resume's timeline (it was as clear as could be, I held 3 different positions at one company and it was formatted to convey this, but they still didn't understand) and gave me tips on improving it "for your interviews with other companies in the future." So anyway at one point, they both just stopped talking, asking me questions, anything after I responded to one question. For like 30 seconds. And just stared at me. So I come out with, "Oh, silence makes me nervous." It just unsettled me so much I had to say something, and that's what I came up with. Ha.</p> <p>Whoops. I probably wasn't going to get the job before that anyway, though. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/worst-things-you-can-do-at-an-interview#post-750287 Mon, 29 Apr 2013 11:02:25 +0000 IRunForFun 750287@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mamabolt: And, don't let the only question you ask be about salary and benefits! </p> <p>I know that is one of my boss's biggest pet peeves - the only thing the candidate seems interested in is the pay. Or when a candidate asks that question right at the beginning of the interview. Then it seems like they're only interested in the job for the money and don't care about the actual work/company. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/worst-things-you-can-do-at-an-interview#post-750211 Mon, 29 Apr 2013 10:35:23 +0000 .twist. 750211@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have never had a real interview before.... I'd probably do all of these things! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/worst-things-you-can-do-at-an-interview#post-750177 Mon, 29 Apr 2013 10:26:16 +0000 jh524 750177@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think I've said I'm nervous before...oops. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/worst-things-you-can-do-at-an-interview#post-750172 Mon, 29 Apr 2013 10:25:08 +0000 Lindsay05 750172@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm usually fidgety in nervous situations! I have also been guilty of not understanding a question and having them repeat it. I think when i'm nervous I have a hard time concentrating on what they are saying. I am a lot better now and have much more confidence. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/worst-things-you-can-do-at-an-interview#post-750108 Mon, 29 Apr 2013 10:00:26 +0000 mamabolt 750108@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>One big thing for me is not having any questions for the interviewer. You need to show that you are engaged in the process and not just blindly responding to questions! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/worst-things-you-can-do-at-an-interview#post-749984 Mon, 29 Apr 2013 09:27:07 +0000 MaisyMay 749984@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Sammyfab: If you explained that you were in the middle of moving, I'm sure they understood.</p> <p>Things not to do:</p> <p> ~ Tell interviewer that you applied because you're "applying to everything"<br /> ~ Not know the basics about what the company does<br /> ~ Chew gum during the interview<br /> ~ Not have a pen to fill out papers (application, etc) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/worst-things-you-can-do-at-an-interview#post-749919 Mon, 29 Apr 2013 09:09:47 +0000 blackbird 749919@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Not knowing your own work is bad, too! I interviewed an intern once who had a stellar resume but couldn't tell me anything detailed about the research she supposedly led and worked on for a semester. It was so obvious her resume was worked over for her and she didn't know jack! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/worst-things-you-can-do-at-an-interview#post-749809 Mon, 29 Apr 2013 08:32:41 +0000 honeybear 749809@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@looch: Is the bank Swiss? I've heard a lot of people say "Swedish" when they meant "Swiss"! But I think it's usually a mistake that is made unconsciously, rather than out of ignorance. ;) </p> <p>I think dressing inappropriately is a hard one, to an extent. So many workplaces have gone business casual or some variant of it that I think it can be really tricky. And other places (where business casual reigned for a long time) have gone back to business attire. I sort of feel for applicants, and I think employers should try to gently telegraph their dress policies to candidates. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/worst-things-you-can-do-at-an-interview#post-749760 Mon, 29 Apr 2013 08:06:28 +0000 swurlygurl 749760@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would say that I definitely fidget way too much. Other than that I've always been really professional in my interviews. When I would feel extra fidgety though, I would just put my hands in my lap or under the desk/table and play with my nails </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/worst-things-you-can-do-at-an-interview#post-749752 Mon, 29 Apr 2013 08:00:11 +0000 Honeybee 749752@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Lemon-Lime: So true! Unless you're doing a psychological profile, most interview questions are meant to be answered with straihtforwars,simple answers. Don't second guess yourself or try to figure out the hidden agenda. Keep it simple is a great interview motto. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/worst-things-you-can-do-at-an-interview#post-749723 Mon, 29 Apr 2013 07:40:55 +0000 Mrs. Lemon-Lime 749723@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Honeybee: The lesson there: less is more, don't talk yourself out of a job. During my company's recent reinterviews HR keep out pounding that in- less is more, simply answer the question and move on. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/worst-things-you-can-do-at-an-interview#post-749716 Mon, 29 Apr 2013 07:35:11 +0000 pelikila 749716@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Recently I've come across several supposedly "experienced" people that don't even understand the industry the company they are interviewing for serve. Do a little research people! In my first professional job interview I had mentioned how I had been browsing their website and the question immediately asked was "what does our site say?". Obviously I could answer it but it reinforced for me how important doing some research is. Know something about the company you are interviewing for and what they do. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/worst-things-you-can-do-at-an-interview#post-749714 Mon, 29 Apr 2013 07:34:00 +0000 looch 749714@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I can look past all of that, but I can not stand people being unprepared. I expect that people have done some research and understand at least where the company is based, what kind of work they do. </p> <p>My biggest peeve is when people mistake the bank I work for as a Swedish bank. Drives me bonkers. Sometimes it is nerves and people mess up, but still. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/worst-things-you-can-do-at-an-interview#post-749713 Mon, 29 Apr 2013 07:32:30 +0000 Honeybee 749713@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I used to do recruitments. My favorite story is about the guy wjo came in to interview for an electrivian position. We had a basic written test he had to complete before the interview started. The poor guy took one look at the test and burst into tears, telling me (bebtween sobs) that he didn't want to do this. I ended up calming him down enough to walk back out to the lobby, but it was pretty much the worst interview ever. Don't cry in your interview. Just don't. </p>