10 Interview No-No’s

What's wrong with accepting a drink?

@devans00 - If you watch the video, you'll see how it is a distraction to the hiring manager and puts you at a risk of a spill or worse. There is an exception to the rule (when isn't there?) which I explain in the video as well.

OK, I see you made an exception for dry mouth people. I'd rather distract with a few seconds sips than to start hacking up my lungs from being so thirsty.

I thought maybe you had a hardline thing against drinks or something but no.

JT you said that the new employee doesn't show his true colours for 90 days.

But that's obviously not what you believe.

That's why you stress the interview behaviour so strongly.

And "Hydrate yourself"? What kind of language is that?

Don't drink? Why not.

Don't go to the bathroom. Okay. Some candidates might not wash their hands and someone might see them and say no way I'm going to hire him..

Don't blow your nose -- before you shake someone's hand.

Ahh Animal, so wise as always. (And I mean that in two ways!)

Let's hope the people that watched the video understand the level of respect and attention you give to your manners/actions in an interview shows the hiring manager you are cognizant of the need to do so. It can be assumed that if you care, you will care when you are on the job too. Your goal is to make it to the next round - watching the way you act will get you there. Those that don't think this advice is valuable can easily continue to do what they always do, just don't blame me if you don't get hired. :)

PS - the term 'hydrate' comes from my hobby career. I'm a fitness instructor. So the language just slipped out. I'm pretty certain you are smart enough to know what that means, but in case you are wondering, it means to drink so that you don't get dehydrated.

Thanks for keeping me on my toes - I love when you comment on my posts!!!!

I only got 9 no-no's
1. cell phones
2. gum, breath mint
3. swearing
4. figetting
5. leaning back
6. drinking
7. bathroom break during
8. blow nose
9. trash talking (stay positive)
I listened to this video twice!

Yaaaa Dianna! I realized when the post was up that I didn't put on in, but then decided to leave it that way as a little test. Can you believe that it 448 views before someone finally had the courage to post a comment about it?!? You've won yourself a free copy of CAREEREALISM. Please e-mail Customer_Service@careerealism.com with your address and they'll ship it to you. Just reference this post!

The 10th is "don't look away when answering questions."

Many people tend to focus their eyesight in another direction as a way to concentrate. However, it can be misinterpreted as you not being able to maintain eye contact, or even that you have something to hide. It's as if you don't want to look them in the eye because what you are saying isn't truthful. I encourage people to practice answer tough interview questions. (I have a list of them available to download for free in our career tools section of the site)

However, if you can't help it, then at least tell the person you are interviewing that you need to think for a moment while you are looking away, compose your thoughts, and then do your best to bring the eyesight back into view.

Thanks again for posting. I still can't believe it took that long for people to notice!

Have to take issue with number six (assuming you don't just mean alcohol!). I messed up an interview last year because I didn't drink enough liquids that day, my mouth completely dried up and I delayed the moment when I took a sip of the water than the company had kindly provided for all interviewees. The result wasn't good! We need water. Don't be ashamed.

Re Trash Talk. I didn't review the video before I wrote this. Just reporting a thought I had this week while reading career counselors.

As a recruiter, I try to get the truth out of the candidate. But the career counselors are coaching them to hide the truth.

If you're dealing with someone who might be prejudiced, it's good to hide a truth that she might not interpret fairly. But most of the times it's obvious that someone is trying to hide the truth and it doesn't look good on her.

If I ask "Why did you leave" and you give me a bland, general answer, I know you're lying. So I'll run through a list of specific issues myself. If you say everything was great every time, well, you're going to look like an idiot because you obviously have no reason to leave.

The point I'm making is that trash talk can't be defined as any kind of critical comment about your current or former place of work.

Something's wrong or you wouldn't be considering a move. You have to identify it specifically or come up with a believable decoy, a red herring that is specific and real enough to seem like a valid reason for leaving when in fact it is hiding the truth.

Hmmm. Some coaches suggest to hide truth. I don't.

Good coaching of a client helps them see the situation objectively and craft a response that is more accurate and less biased towards how it hurt them. Trash talking is when you are emotionally charged about it and talk negatively as a result. I work through these kinds of scenarios with clients and get them to find a way to present both sides of the situation in interviews. I also get them to share what they learned from the experience. It diffuses their own anger and also helps them to accept responsibility for their actions in terms of how they ultimately contributed to the final outcome.

Besides, when people are lying in interviews, it shows to recruiters. Why? (Do I even need to say the stat Animal?) Let's just say they 'give it away' that their lying.

I love the manner in which the clip was delivered, not too casual but yet not too serious either, and for some odd reason, I was drawn to the accent alot, overall great stuff!

Guess we all need a constant reminder of these simple rules from time to time!

In at least one case I know of, all the interviewers had a bottle of water. When the candidate refused same, he was seen as a "non-team-player". I kid you not.

Patty - that is incredible. Talk about a company expecting you to 'drink the kool-aid' - I'm not sure that was a bad thing that the person being interviewed didn't get picked for their lack of conformity.

Thanks for stopping by and sharing that!

@jtodonnell- found you on Twitter and I am sooo glad that I did. As a 2009 college graduate you have been so helpful. Thanks for the advice and please keep it coming!
-ChristineLuongo

Thanks Christine, so glad you found us and are enjoying the site. We promise to bring even more great advice in the future. There are lots of smart experts out there who will be sharing their insight so that you won't always be stuck with my 2 cents!

Congrats to you on graduating and fear not, I graduated in the last recession and can tell you it only made me stronger as a professional and I'm sure it will do the same for you!

JT

Might I also add arrogance to the mix. Unless it's a sales job and even sometimes in that scenario, arrogance will hurt you.

Agree on the drink, don't take it unless you have to. It is distracting for both parties.

The don't accept a drink advice really is highly subjective. Like another commenter, I know of a situation (more than one, actually) where the refusal of a drink...any drink...was seen as unfavorable. Not exactly the 'non-team player' idea, but more that the person was to nervous/uptight. There are definitely industries and places where being a bit more relaxed in the interview can be beneficial, ie start up web companies. After being hired, I was told that one of the only things they weren't sure of about me was that I seemed a bit too formal in my interview for the company culture and that my email and phone contact with them was what sold them that I could fit in with a more relaxed atmosphere. In another interview situation, I was offered a drink (alcohol) since it was an informal interview in Las Vegas and I opted to go for a seltzer water (my preferred drink in any circumstance) and again, after being hired, I was thoroughly questioned about it and it wasn't until they got to know me that they saw that I just drink very minimally. However, at the time...it almost cost me the job.

As a hiring manager I definitely agree with the no trash talking, and I have passed on hiring many many applicants due to this alone. I even had the chance to tell one applicant that that was the sole reasoning behind me not hiring them, they had stellar references (aside from their current employer), great experience, but trash talked their current employer for 5 minutes. Cut your losses people and be professional in your interview. Portray confidence, positive attitude, smile, eagerness to work, prefessionalism and lastly have a great resume so you get the call to get yourself to the interview stage!