Interview no-nos

Skyline view of Paris with Eiffel Tower in background.

Here at Firehead, we’ve been talking a lot lately with our clients and community about about interviewing. We’ve been fascinated by some of the responses we get from interviewers about what candidates do. Sometimes, you just think things are obvious, but alas…

We’ve compiled a list of our favourite interview no-nos and thought we would share them with you. They just might help serve as a reminder of how you can fine-tune your approach when you’re preparing for the next one.

The results of our official unofficial interview no nos survey (or, “I Still Can’t Believe Anyone Would Actually Do This”):

  • Annoying Thing Number 10: Cliche answers to cliche questions.
    Why waste your time answering the same thing as everyone else? Prepare for these in advance!
  • Annoying Thing Number 9: Lying about the facts of your application for the sake of getting the job.
    Are you really naive enough to think this won’t come back at you?
  • Annoying Thing Number 8: Claiming credit for another’s work (usually a colleague).
    Same comment as above.
  • Annoying Thing Number 7: Leaving your phone on during an interview.
  • Annoying Thing Number 6: Or worse, texting during an interview.
    Wow. This actually happened!
  • Annoying Thing Number 5: CNot preparing, as if you care about the job. For example: no CV, no portfolio or writing samples if requested, no research done on the compnay, no questions about the position you’re applying for.
  • Annoying Thing Number 4: Not matching your experience and skills to the position you’re applying for.
  • Annoying Thing Number 3: Talking about personal problems or explaining reasons you can’t do the job exactly as the client has defined it during the interview.
    They may be really nice, but all they want to hear about is how you can do their job!
  • Annoying Thing Number 2: Can’t remember details you put on your CV or application when asked to elaborate during the interview.
  • Annoying Thing Number 1: A candidate who talks so much that the interviewer is veered off track in interviewing questions
    This is usually something that comes from well meaning, but nervous candidates. But, as you can see, at number one, it’s a common enough problem. If the interviewer (who might not be expert at his role, either) can’t get the facts he needs to make a decsion, you can’t get the job you’re interviewing for!

Oh and there’s one more: the staff pick and my personal favourite:

  • One more Annoying Thing: Bringing your mother with you.
    I’m not making this up!
CJ Walker

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