Coffee in an interview?
Almost all of CV Pro's professional resume and CV writers are highly experienced recruiters. Some recruit full-time and write CVs in their spare time, some are part-time recruiters and a couple no longer recruit and just write CVs. The other day we were comparing stories about the worst interview mistakes that we had witnessed candidates make in their careers. There are a few of them.
Claire related a number of times when candidates would turn up for their interviews clutching a coffee and proceeded to sip at it while the interview progressed. It looked very unprofessional. Claire would always ask the candidate where her coffee was and watch them squirm...
Adam told the story of a candidate whose mobile rang in mid-interview. He then answered it and talked for 5 minutes to the caller about their plans for the weekend. When the candidate hung up, Adam showed him the door. The interview was over. Switch your mobiles off before your interview!
Lauren related the story of a candidate who came in for an interview with her 3 young kids in tow. She wanted to leave them in the reception in the care of the receptionist while she was being interviewed! Find a baby sitter!
Michael remembers asking a candidate what salary he was looking for. The candidate said he would not answer as he used a "professional negotiator" to act on his behalf when negotiating salaries....We have never heard of that in Australia! (or anywhere else for that matter).
None of these candidates got the roles they were being considered for.
If you have an interview; research the company, find out what they do. Dress professionally, turn up on time (or 10 minutes early). Turn your mobile off and don't bring food and/or drinks into the interview. Answer questions confidently and clearly and don't forget to ask questions yourself. It's a two-way street in there!
Claire related a number of times when candidates would turn up for their interviews clutching a coffee and proceeded to sip at it while the interview progressed. It looked very unprofessional. Claire would always ask the candidate where her coffee was and watch them squirm...
Adam told the story of a candidate whose mobile rang in mid-interview. He then answered it and talked for 5 minutes to the caller about their plans for the weekend. When the candidate hung up, Adam showed him the door. The interview was over. Switch your mobiles off before your interview!
Lauren related the story of a candidate who came in for an interview with her 3 young kids in tow. She wanted to leave them in the reception in the care of the receptionist while she was being interviewed! Find a baby sitter!
Michael remembers asking a candidate what salary he was looking for. The candidate said he would not answer as he used a "professional negotiator" to act on his behalf when negotiating salaries....We have never heard of that in Australia! (or anywhere else for that matter).
None of these candidates got the roles they were being considered for.
If you have an interview; research the company, find out what they do. Dress professionally, turn up on time (or 10 minutes early). Turn your mobile off and don't bring food and/or drinks into the interview. Answer questions confidently and clearly and don't forget to ask questions yourself. It's a two-way street in there!
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