… when you are attending interviews. Seriously!

I’m not an expert on HR matters but I do know what irritates me when people come for interviews. So, for show, here are my top 5 interview pet peeves:

1. Turning up sick for the interview. Really. I had one fellow who was obviously just recovering from a nasty bout of conjunctivitis and believe you me, I read him the riot act on that one. If you’ve an appointment, you can call in sick especially if it’s something like conjunctivitis which spreads easily. If not, you can always come when you’re fully recovered.

2. Rudeness. Or rather, as an act of self defense when you get too scared during the interview session. I once asked this fellow to introduce himself to me. He actually asked me to read his application form where he had written down all the answers. Oh-kayyy, obviously he did not get the job.

3. Not coming prepared. I recruit for a lot of rank and file staff so I do not need them to come with set hair and a three-inch thick resume. However, I would appreciate some effort coming into the interview. I’ve had people asking me for pens to fill up the form, and then submitting just the form without any other attachment. Also, I’ve had some coming in wearing shorts and slippers. What is that all about?

4. Being too vague. When I ask what their previous job was all about, some applicants give me this blank look, some have actually answered “don’t know”. Do you think you are increasing your chances of being hired if you can’t even tell me what you used to do?

5. Over arrogance. Or it could be a case of over confidence in some people. Yeah I know I am just an Executive level staff and you want to meet my Manager. But suffice to say, if you get the job, you will be dealing a lot with me on a lot of matters. So why must your nose be so high up in the sky?

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Well this list is obviously not a be all and end all when it comes to a guaranteed hire. But I wish that some people would think twice before showing their obnoxiousness during the interview session.