Here are some interview horror stories told by employers:
July 8, 1997

One of our employers asked "Can you tell me about what you consider to be your biggest accomplishment to date?" Answer - "well 3 weeks ago, I quit biting my fingernails - it was a really hard habit for me to break". The interviewer couldn't believe it - here was a recent graduate who had just finished completing a 4 year degree but it paled in comparison to quitting biting his nails. Just a reminder that it is always better to answer questions using professional examples instead of personal ones.

July 9, 1997

A firm placed an advertisement in a local newspaper for an assistant who would be responsible for delivering mail and supplies. The advertisement stated "Please send your resume to: Pat" So and So at… such and such a business address. The next evening someone phoned "Pat" at home and asked for Mr. So and So. After being corrected that it was Ms. So and So, the person next asked "What is a re-sume?".

There are four lessons in this story:

1.Always follow the directions exactly as stated in the advertisement

2.Never disturb a prospective employer at home.

3.Find out who the person doing the hiring is and address him or her appropriately.

4.Know what a resume is and know how to pronounce it!

 

Want to read more interview blunders, click here.