In 2010 we might face a difficult job market

In 2010 we might face a difficult job market, at least don’t screw up the interview

It seems logical that if you are looking for a job in a market where jobs are scarce, you should be as well prepared as possible for the interview and refrain from any behavior that could be labeled as “strange”, “weird” or plain stupid.

Some time ago I read an article that described some of these absurd behaviors. It seems they were submitted by a group of HR managers when they were asked for their best stories of unusual behavior by job applicants.

1. A candidate asked the interviewer who the beautiful woman in a picture frame was. When the interviewer replied that the lady was his wife, the candidate asked if she was home right now and he wanted his home phone number. He interviewer called security.

2. Ten minutes into the interview an alarm in her cellular phone went off in the candidate’s purse. She took it out, shut if off, apologized and said that she had to leave for her next interview. She didn’t want to be late.

3. One candidate stated up front that he really didn’t want the job, but the unemployment office needed proof that he was looking for one.

4. A balding candidate abruptly excused himself in the middle of the interview, went to the bathroom and returned two minutes later, wearing a hairpiece. The interviewer pretended not to notice although he found it really difficult not to laugh.

5. A young lady had her IPod’s hearing device on her ear, throughout the interview, claiming that she could listen to the music and to the interviewer at the same time.

6. One candidate asked to see the interviewers resume. He said he wanted to know if the interviewer was qualified to judge him.

7. One young lady pulled out her phone, snapped a picture of the interviewer and explained that she collects photos of everyone who interviews her.

8. A candidate being interviewed for a management position said that, if he was hired, he would show his loyalty to the company by having the corporate logo tattooed on his forearm.

9. When an interviewer made a formal offer to a candidate, he asked the interviewer to put on his suit jacket to make sure the offer was formal.

10. Ten minutes into an interview a candidate took out his cell phone and called his therapist for advice on how to answer the next question in the interview.

Yes, there is irrational behavior going on every day in interviews being conducted all over the world, we just don’t hear about it.

Let me give you some advice on how you should conduct yourself during an interview.
1. Look the part. Dress according to the type of job you are seeking. If you are interviewing for a job as a car mechanic, you don’t have to be dressed in a suit and tie.


2. Ask for thirty minutes, no more, when you first set up the interview. Keep to this religiously unless the interviewer asks you to stay longer.

3. Research the company before going into the interview. With the internet you can find absolutely everything about a company. In fact, the 10k report will give you the company’s areas of concern.

4. During the interview, observe the 50/50 rule. 50% of the time you should be speaking and the other 50% you should be listening.

5. When you answer the interviewer’s question, limit your response to a minute or two. Don’t talk yourself out of a job.


6. During the interview, stay focused on what you can do for the employer, rather than on what the employer can do for you. You want to give the impression that you are a resource person rather than a job seeker. You want to come across as a problem solver, a proactive, and go to individual.

7. Understand that the employer thinks the way you are conducting yourself during the interview is the way you will do the job. If you say you are a very thorough individual, be sure you are thorough in the way you researched the company.


8. Bring evidence of your claims, skills or educational achievements.

9. Never bad mouth your previous employer during the interview.


10. Creativity and innovation is needed in today’s highly competitive and job scarce world. Find a way to differentiate yourself from any other interviewee.

Let me now give you the most important questions you should be ready to answer during an interview:

What do you know about our company?
Tell me about yourself.
Why are you seeking this job?
How would you describe yourself?
What are your major strengths?
What is your greatest weakness?
What type of work do you like to do best?
What are your outside interests?
What accomplishments gave you the greatest satisfaction?
Give me an example of a project you worked on where teamwork was important for it to succeed.
Why did you leave your last job?
Why were you laid off (if you were)?
Where do you see yourself five years from now?
What are your goals in life?
How much did you make at your last job?

Once in a while, you will get a question that although it seems unimportant, in reality it is very important. I went to do a session for Microsoft in Seattle, Washington some years ago and during lunch one of the employees told me that when they interviewed him, they asked him, how many gas stations are there in the US? He said he didn’t know but if allowed to go to the computer to look it up in the internet, he would have an answer very soon. That was a good answer. Anyone that said, “I don’t know”, would not be hired. I really don’t know if this is true or not, but is sure sounded very interesting.