Making a good impression during a job interview will undoubtedly improve your chances of landing a position while committing a blunder will probably result in a lost opportunity. Asking to be paid “under the table” seems to be a bizarre request, but that’s what one candidate actually did during a job interview. That’s just one blunder uncovered by a recent CareerBuilder.com-commissioned survey of 2,600 hiring managers and 3,900 workers.
Here’s a rundown of some of the real-life interview blunders uncovered in the survey:
- Candidate said he had to quit a banking position because he was always tempted to steal.
- Candidate denied that he had a cell phone with him even though it could be heard ringing in the briefcase beside him.
- Candidate emptied the employer's candy dish into her pocket.
- Candidate said he didn't like getting up early and didn't like to read.
- Candidate asked to be paid "under the table."
- Candidate reached over and placed a hand on the interviewer's knee.
- Candidate commented that he would do whatever it takes to get the job done, legal or not.
- Candidate hugged the president of the company.
- Candidate called his wife to see what they were having for dinner.
- Candidate asked to postpone the start date so she could still get holiday gifts from vendors at her current job.
- Candidate called in sick to her current employer during the interview, faking an illness.
- Candidate said he didn't want the job if he had to work a lot.
- Candidate wouldn't answer a question because he thought they would steal his idea and not hire him.
The survey also asked hiring managers to identify six fatal interview errors that job candidates make:
- Appearing disinterested.
- Answering a cell phone or texting.
- Dressing inappropriately.
- Talking negatively about a current or previous employer.
- Poor body language: Failure to make eye contact or smile, bad posture and a weak handshake.
- Not providing specific examples.
The CareerBuilder.com survey was conducted by Harris Interactive
