| As part of my job, I give interview advice to | | | | After thinking intently for a few minutes, she said "Are |
| candidates applying for travel jobs. When I ask them | | | | you going anywhere nice on your holidays this |
| how it went afterwards, most people don't come out | | | | summer?" |
| remembering what went right. They remember the | | | | Interview Tip: You know that you'll be expected to ask |
| bad things. The joke that fell flat, the awkward silence | | | | questions at the end of a job interview, and there's no |
| halfway through, the question that left them scrabbling | | | | excuse not to prepare a few. Keep your questions |
| for an inadequate answer. And while some people just | | | | focused on the job and the company, and use it as an |
| seem to have the knack for doing well in job | | | | opportunity to further express your interest in both. |
| interviews, most of us have probably had at least one | | | | 5 - "I'm sorry, what was your name again?" |
| complete interview disaster in our time. | | | | During one job interview, a candidate complained at |
| But it's not all bad - however poorly a job interview | | | | length about his previous boss. Unfortunately, he didn't |
| has gone, you can always be reassured by the fact | | | | realize that the interviewer and his former employer |
| that someone, somewhere, has done much, much | | | | were closely related, and even had the same last |
| worse than you ever have. Here are ten of the worst | | | | name. |
| interview howlers that I've heard of, and ten pieces of | | | | Interview Tip: This man was particularly unlucky, but it |
| interview advice that can help you to avoid the same | | | | just goes to show that it is never a good idea to |
| mistakes. | | | | badmouth your former employer. |
| 10 - Who are you, and what am I doing? | | | | 4 - "So tell me, what is your biggest weakness?" |
| After a telesales job interview that had gone well, the | | | | When pressed to answer this question, one candidate |
| candidate surprised the panel by saying, offhand, "By | | | | answered "My dishonesty." |
| the way, I don't do cold calling." | | | | Interview Tip: This is a difficult question to answer. |
| Interview tip: Do your research. Make sure you fully | | | | Responses like "I work too hard" are no good, and |
| understand what the company does and what your | | | | owning up to a severe character flaw might sink your |
| job entails, otherwise you're likely to make an obvious | | | | application. Pick a weakness that is true but that won't |
| mistake. | | | | affect the job that you are going for. For example, |
| 9 - Job Train-ing | | | | being erratic at paperwork is a disaster for an admin |
| After an unsuccessful job interview, one candidate | | | | role, but is only a minor drawback for a sales position. |
| followed his interviewer to the train station. He spent | | | | 3 - Mums the word! |
| the rest of the train journey pleading with her to give | | | | Everyone knows that you have to switch your phone |
| him the job. | | | | off during a job interview. But one candidate, after the |
| Interview Tip: Enthusiasm is good, desperation is not. | | | | first few questions, got his phone out and called his |
| Accept it if you haven't got the job - hassling your | | | | parents to let them know how well the interview was |
| interviewer isn't likely to get you anything except a | | | | going. |
| restraining order. | | | | Interview tip: Stay focused during an interview. Don't |
| 8 - Fancy your chances? | | | | get complacent if you think it is going well, and don't be |
| One candidate concluded a job interview by asking the | | | | discouraged if you feel it is going badly. |
| interviewer out on a date. | | | | 2 - A picture is worth a thousand words... |
| Interview Tip: No matter how well you think an | | | | One candidate was asked to draw a picture that best |
| interview has gone, this really isn't a good idea. Make | | | | described him. He drew a clown with blood pouring |
| sure you end it professionally. | | | | from its eyes, ears and nose. |
| 7 - Demonstrate your skills | | | | Interview Tip: Interviewers are looking for people who |
| When asked to give a practical demonstration of his | | | | can both fill the role and work well with other people. |
| abilities during a job interview, this candidate got out a | | | | Worrying personality traits can be just as off putting |
| deck of cards and proceeded to perform a series of | | | | as a lack of experience or inadequate skills, so be on |
| magic tricks. | | | | your best behavior in the interview room. |
| Interview tip: You don't need interview advice to tell | | | | 1 - Murder, she said |
| you that this is a bad idea. Remain professional at all | | | | No matter what unfortunate facts from your past |
| times! Silly jokes, inappropriate clothes and strange | | | | happen to surface in a job interview, you can't cause |
| behavior are all guaranteed to put an interviewer off. | | | | more alarm than this woman did. Alarmingly, in the |
| 6 - Any questions? | | | | middle of the interview she managed to imply that |
| At the end of a job interview, this candidate was told | | | | she'd murdered her husband. |
| that she could ask one question and one question only. | | | | |