10 Things Candidates Can Do to Almost Guarantee Their Continued Unemployment

This presentation discusses some of the things that candidates do on job interviews that cost them the job.

The goal of this presentation is to present these interview blunders in a comical format.

My name is Tangy Brown and I am currently working as a contractor through Kforce onsite at Kaiser Permanente in Atlanta, Georgia. I am an administrative professional with experience supporting corporate executives.

While I’ve often been frustrated in my quest for a permanent position, I also find humor in the stories I hear from others. I hope you enjoy this presentation.

Believe it or not, I’ve conducted more than one interview where the candidate showed up with a friend, child or other family member. While accepting an application and prescreening for a landscape crew member, one candidate, a high school dropout came with his mother. She insisted that though he had no experience, he should be paid no less than $15.00 per hour.

The result, more time with Mom.

What’s funny is that I’ve returned two phone calls to people while they were on interviews. One

person I called stopped during the interview, had a 10 minute conversation with me then informed me that she was on an interview.

The result, believe it or not my friend actually got this job.

The other person, my sister, answered her phone when the interviewer stepped out of the room.

The result…more time to talk to me

I interviewed a file clerk sent by a staffing firm who informed me 10 minutes into the interview that she needed to leave to pick up her dog from the vet.

She actually asked the staffing firm why I

was being so strict.

The result… more free time to care for her dog

This came from a recruiter I knew about 5 years ago. According to the client, the candidate dropped the f-bomb a few times.

The result, he was dropping his f-bombs in the long lines at the unemployment office

If you want to know how soon you’ll get vacation time and the company’s policy on coming to work late, ask this on the interview. Hiring managers don’t like it when people spend time asking about company benefits.

The result…you’ll know about benefits that you’ll never be offered.

If you didn’t have time to finish your breakfast, then finish your coffee and bagel in the interviewer’s office.

The result… more time at home to finish your breakfast

Unfortunately, some people are so frustrated with the economy and how difficult it is to get a job, they’ll apply for anything just to get a job. If you do this, then tell the interviewer.

When asked, “Why do you want to work here”, say, “I really don’t, I just need a job.”

The result, you won’t have to work in a job you know you don’t want.

Regardless of how you feel about your favorite team or political group, calling those who don’t support your views a “moron” or “idiot” is a sure fire way to not get the job.

The result, that “moron” will still have a job and you wont.

If the receptionist is rude then by all means let her know how you feel. If she’s taking her time letting the interviewer know you’re there demand that she take action immediately.

The result, you won’t have to work with the rude receptionist.

A former co-worker told me that when she had an interview, she was unable to show up. She called the office the next day to reschedule. The manager never called her back.

The result, she was able to work with the Department of Labor’s office hours.

If you follow some of the suggestions in this presentation, more than likely you’ll be able to maintain your status as one of the unemployed.

While there is no guarantee that you’ll

remain unemployed its more likely than not that following these suggestions will help you maintain your unemployment status.