10 Odd Things You Should Never Do at a Job Interview

If you are a fan of Grad Meets World on Facebook then you may have an affinity for my “Tips from the Recruiting Industry.” Within these tips I share the crazy things I see at my job while advising all you eager job seekers to avoid making the same mistakes.

This week I figured it would be fun to do a little round-up to lighten the mood on this lovely Friday. Like I have said many times before, the bad news is these things happen in real life, but the good news is you’ll be ahead of the job hunting game if you avoid them. So without further ado I present to you 10 Odd Things You Should Never Do at a Job Interview.

1. Do not chew, pop or smack gum. You probably have no idea how irritating this is to the person trying to interview you for a job. Maybe your mother never taught you this habit is utterly rude. Either way, just spit it out before the job interview (er – preferably outside…in a trash can…not in your hand.)

2. Change your email. I have seen some horrendous emails attached to resumes. Snookiebaby69, playgurrrlllxxx, and sweetstoner420 just to name a few. For love of all things good and holy please use professional emails.

3. Don’t give the interviewer an attitude. It never ceases to amaze me how many people waltz into the office as if something crawled up their ass and died. Do these people think they’ll get a job by acting like an asshole? Here’s a newsflash: if you want the job, don’t be a douche.

4. Do not bribe the recruiter.  Bribing the recruiter will not get you the job. I don’t need fifteen 49 cent Microsoft pens thank you very much.

5. Do not ask the recruiter out (especially if you’re married). Inappropriate on all accounts. No, I will not go out on a date with you. I don’t care if your wife is totally cool with it.

6. Do not talk to the empty chair sitting next to you. Your imaginary friend need not accompany you to a job interview.

7. Do not steal bathroom keys as an excuse to avoid an interview. Really? Are you that much of a wuss that you need to steal out only key to the bathroom to make an exit? We do have to use the facilities every once in a while and now we’ll always remember the jack ass that took our key.

8. Do not steal the interviewer’s wallet. Yes, this happened to me. In real life. To this day I can’t even say it without cracking up – a job candidate stole my wallet.

9. Do not take off your clothes in an interview. By the same token you should avoid blouses prone to nip slips, see through pants and skirts so short I can almost see your hoo-ha.

10. Talk about how someone would raise kids to be serial killers. I have no words.

There you have it! My public service announcement to all you job hunters out there. Happy Friday everyone!