I can't say I've seen it all, but in 15 years as a hiring manager, I've seen my share. It really is amazing what some people will say and do in an interview. I'm not trying to be callous, but if you read this post and avoid these missteps, you will surely live to interview another day.
1. Three nuns walk into a bar . . .
Please don't tell jokes. Please don't consider it a fun opening line or ice breaker. The odds of you offending someone (or even worse telling a bad joke) are too high. Don't do it. If humor is an important part of who you are, find a way to share an interesting anecdote about a work related event. Perhaps an example where you or others learned an important lesson. Just don't hit them with a joke.
2. All kinds of #$%#@?
No matter who you are interviewing with and no matter what you know about them, don't swear. Not even the minor ones. Besides the obvious risk of offending your interviewer, you can also look smug and too comfortable. Even some folks who swear up and down the hallway each day may not like your doing so in an interview. If you need to show your ability to adapt to the culture there are other ways to do it.
3. The big yarn yawn
Whether as a response to a question, because you are incredibly nervous or due to an excitement to share, do not get caught in the long story trap. Long stories are boring, obviously off topic and slow the interview down to a terrible crawl. Especially if you only have 30 minutes with a interviewer, keep your answers short, direct and full of relevant examples.
4. The emperor's old clothes
Old twisted ties, blouses that are falling apart at the sleeve, shirts that don't fit well. Either way, it sends the wrong message. Either you are not aware that your clothes would be turned away at Goodwill or have not noticed their downward turn. Regardless. The effect on the hiring manager is the same. It all gets noticed.
5. That's kind of personal, isn't it?
We all have tough things happening in life. Tough times are very personal and should stay that way. Whether in answering a question about a gap in your resume or explaining why your last boss didn't like you, do everything you can to keep in objective. No emotion and no personal stories. A death in the family is painful and sounds like the reasonable thing to share. Unfortunately, sharing personal information, whether painful or hilarious, should be avoided.
6. That creepy mirror image thing
Maybe this is just me, but the interview preparation expert who suggested many years ago to match the body language of your interviewer was wrong. If you have ever interviewed someone who sat up when you did, leaned back with you and crossed his or her legs in concert, it is a bit creepy. While there is a way to generally match the overall tone of the interview (serious vs. casual), first don't do it literally. Second, make sure to be yourself. If the authentic you is personable and business casual, don't go out of your way to match a highly stiff interviewer's style. After all, part of vetting the company is to pick up on these cues, not match them.
7. Chatty Kathy (or Kevin) and then some
Some people just love to talk. Are they trying to fill up time to avoid more questions? Are they just social people? Honestly, I think it varies. The point here is that some interviewers don't know how to stop you. So you have to stop yourself. There are also interviewers who will (on purpose) not ask you a following question, allow a pause, and let you keep on going. So, don't feel a need to fill the void with a more detailed answer. If the interviewer appears to be lacking their next question, be ready to ask them one.
8. Political debate topic avoidance
Sometimes I will ask a question three or four times. I do this because job candidates don't answer them. Whether on purpose or not, it is frustrating for the interviewer. Often I keep asking because I believe the person has the answer I want and they just need some help. Sometimes I worry that I am not being clear. Other times I just do not want the candidate to blatantly avoid the question. So, as a job candidate, (1) be a good listener (2) answer the specific question with good, relevant examples and (3) ask for clarification if your first answer doesn't seem to deliver.
9. New or unpleasant facial hair (men)
Hollywood actors like Brad Pitt or Johnny Depp are famous for wearing a thin mustache or goatee. They get away with it because they are famous people preparing for an important part in a new movie. You are not Brad Pitt, you are not preparing for a movie role, and the facial hair probably doesn't look good on you. But, you say, this mustache is part of who I am! OK, if it looks good (thick and full without too much gray), no problem. If it is something you've grown over the past 3-4 weeks waiting for interviews, do us all a favor and save it for later.
10. Fallacy of self torture
If offered a drink of water, take it. If offered a chance to use the rest room, take it. These are legitimate offers, not cruel tricks to see if you'll bite. It does not make you look weak to accept a glass of water. I say this because I have offered water to many interview candidates who, twenty minutes into the interview, clearly need a drink of water. Dry mouth changes the sound of your voice and, I think, affects the confidence. You are now thinking about your thirst instead of the current question.
Honorable mention . . . excessive name dropping
If this has been you in the past or if this is you today, please stop. Hiring managers genuinely want to like you. Your resume, cover letter and/or phone interview suggested good things to come. There is so much in an interview that can be and must be controlled BY YOU.
And the spirit of our new President-elect, Barack Obama . . .
Yes, you can:
a. be pleasant
b. answer questions intelligently, directly and with clear examples of your past successes
c. be interesting, fun and charming without being out of line or presumptuous
d. be polite and considerate
e. ask questions that challenge the interviewer and give you key data to form your own opinionf. be polite and well-manicured
g. be yourself and still be someone that the company wants to hire
Yes, you can.
