Some Interviewees are Just too Candid

March 1, 2006 (PLANSPONSOR.com) - Comments made by some job candidates during an interview make it seem they do not really want to be hired.

According to a press release from Accountemps, when senior executives were asked, “What is the most inappropriate thing a candidate said during a job interview,” responses included:

  • “One candidate cursed during the interview.”
  • “An applicant stated that there was nothing I could tell him he didn’t already know; he said he knew everything about our business.”
  • “A person argued that the requirements for hiring were wrong – and then fell asleep.”
  • “One candidate was 25 minutes late for his interview and was upset with me for being annoyed by his tardiness.”
  • “The person invited me out for a drink after the interview.”

“Job seekers should take a moment to compose their thoughts before they speak and focus their comments on the specific knowledge and experience they can bring to the position,” said Max Messmer, chairman of Accountemps, in the release.

Messmer says, along with professionalism, hiring managers are looking for a glimpse of the candidate’s personality, and candor. However, the following responses from executives surveyed show some candidates may share too much:

  • “The candidate told me that she didn’t want to work hard.”
  • “One prospect told me all of the reasons he shouldn’t be hired.”
  • “An individual applied for a customer service job, and when asked what he might not like about the job, he said, ‘dealing with people.'”
  • “The applicant told me he really was not interested in the position, but he liked that we allowed for a lot of time off.”
  • “The candidate said she would really prefer a job offer from our competitor.”

The national survey includes responses from 150 senior executives – including those from human resources, finance and marketing departments – with the nation’s 1,000 largest companies.

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