Things You Should Never Do at a Job Interview
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Body Language Mistake: Look at Me!
65% of hiring managers surveyed said that failing to make eye contact is a big body language mistake among job seekers. -
Body Language Mistake: Sit Still!
29% said candidates frequently fidget too much. -
Body Language Mistake: Cross Look
26% of the respondents said they don't like it when interviewees cross their arms over their chest. -
Body Language Mistake: Face Facts
25% said they think less of candidates who play with their hair or touch their face throughout an interview. -
Body Language Mistake: Squeeze Play
7% of the hiring managers said that candidates will often give a handshake that's too strong. -
Outrageous Behavior: Pet Peeve
A candidate kept fidgeting and repositioning her duffle bag. Why? Because she had a dog inside. -
Outrageous Behavior: Bounce Him Out
After introducing himself, a candidate said, "But you can call me Tigger! That's the nickname I gave myself." -
Outrageous Behavior: Sad Affair
Another job seeker asked if his wife—who worked at the same organization where he was interviewing—was cheating on him. -
Outrageous Behavior: Big Boot
One candidate said he left his previous position because he "kicked someone's butt who really needed it." -
Outrageous Behavior: In the Zone
Another job seeker sat in a yoga pose during the interview.
You never get a second chance to make a first impression, right? This adage certainly applies to a job interview, as your future career success may depend on the choices you make and the way you act during interactions with a potential employer. To provide some guidance, we're offering the following list of common body language mistakes, which was compiled from a survey from CareerBuilder. "Acing the job interview isn't just about what you say in response to the interviewer's questions," says Rosemary Haefner, vice president of human resources for CareerBuilder. "It's also about what your body language says about you. Employers are looking for those non-verbal cues to indicate a candidate's level of professionalism and [whether] they will be the right fit for the position." On the lighter side, CareerBuilder has also come up with a list of outrageous real-life interview behaviors and exchanges, which we're also including here. They include disclosures about odd nicknames and marital woes, as well as a furry surprise brought to an interview inside a duffle bag. Nearly 2,200 human resources and hiring managers took part in the research.