If we did any of the don'ts, we knew we'd
disqualify ourselves instantly. But some job applicants go light
years beyond this. A survey of personnel executives of 100 major
American corporations asked for stories of unusual behaviour by
job applicants. These are some of the results:
The lowlights:
"... stretched out on the floor to fill out the job application."
"... asked to see interviewer's resume to see if the personnel
executive was qualified to judge the candidate."
"... announced she hadn't had lunch and proceeded to eat
a hamburger and french fries in the interviewer's office - wiping
the ketchup on her sleeve"
"When I asked him about his hobbies, he stood up and started
tap dancing around my office."
"At the end of the interview, while I stood there dumbstruck,
went through my purse, took out a brush, brushed his hair, and
left."
"... pulled out a Polaroid camera and snapped a flash picture
of me. Said he collected photos of everyone who interviewed
him."
"Said he wasn't interested because the position paid too
much."
"While I was on a long-distance phone call, the applicant
took out a copy of Penthouse, and looked through the photos
only, stopping longest at the centerfold."
"During the interview, an alarm clock went off from the
candidate's brief case. He took it out, shut it off, apologized
and said he had to leave for another interview."
"A telephone call came in for the job applicant. It was
from his wife. His side of the conversation went like this:
"Which company? When do I start? What's the salary?"
I said, "I assume you're not interested in conducting the
interview any further." He promptly responded, "I
am as long as you'll pay me more." I didn't hire him, but
later found out there was no other job offer. It was a scam
to get a higher offer."
"His attaché [case] opened when he picked it up
and the contents spilled, revealing ladies' undergarments and
assorted makeup and perfume."
"Candidate said he really didn't want to get a job, but
the unemployment office needed proof that he was looking for
one."
"... asked who the lovely babe was, pointing to the picture
on my desk. When I said it was my wife, he asked if she was
home now and wanted my phone number. I called security."
"Pointing to a black case he carried into my office, he
said that if he was not hired, the bomb would go off. Disbelieving,
I began to state why he would never be hired and that I was
going to call the police. He then reached down to the case,
flipped a switch and ran. No one was injured, but I did need
to get a new desk."
Sell yourself without bragging.