Interview Faux Pas

Graduate recruitment and sales training specialist Pareto Law has released its top ten list of job interview howlers, which they call interview faux pas.

From the graduate who only came to the interview because his mum said so, to the hopeful who brought along his swimming medals as evidence of his potential - the list is a useful guide to what not to say or do in an interview.

Managing director Jonathan Fitchew commented: ìWe receive applications from around 45,000 graduates each year and we place around 1,200. Clearly the examples in the list are some of the ones who did not make it through our selection process, but hopefully they will offer all job seekers some tips on what not to say or do in an interview situation.î

The Pareto Law Top Ten Interview Faux Pas

1. Know the job youíre being interviewed for. After an otherwise quite successful interview for a telesales job, one graduate stunned the panel with the phrase: ìOh and by the way I donít do cold calling.î

2. Enthusiasm wins. Sensing that the candidate was distinctly underwhelmed by the job on offer, the interviewer asked him why he had come along. His reply left the recruiter speechless: ìIím not really interested in sales. My mum told me to comeî.

3. The honesty policy. Q. ìWhat do you do in your spare time?î A. ìGenerally I smoke weed.î Honesty is generally a good thing but could he not have listed some of his minor hobbies instead?

4. Keep the interview professional. One graduate, when asked what is your greatest achievement to date, replied by saying: ëHaving a three-some last week.í A little too much information.

5. Listen to the Questions. Interviewer: ìYou are here for a sales assessment day to gain a role in sales. Would you prefer a job in HR, Project Management, Sales or Programming?î To which the interviewee replied ñ ìHR.î

6. Present yourself professionally. When asked to draw a picture that described himself, one graduate drew a clown with blood pouring from his eyes, nose and ears! If ever a picture was worth a thousand words.

7. Consider your achievements carefully. Asked what his greatest achievements were, one candidate displayed his swimming badges of which he was justifiably proud. Unfortunately he was not able to lifesave himself from an early bath.

8. Prepare your questions. At the end of her questions, an interviewer posed the question; ìokay, you can ask me one question and one question onlyî to the interviewee. After much procrastination, the young lady took a deep breath, calmed her nerves and asked ìAre you going anywhere nice on your holidays this year?î

9. Dress to Impress. When planning the interview outfit, be sure not to follow the graduate who turned up in flip-flops and a t-shirt. Not the best impression for a high flying sales role.

10. Donít rely on your looks. One girl suggested she would be successful because she had large melons. As if to labour the point she actually brought in a pair of Waitroseís finest Honeydews as visual props. The all-female panel were impressed at the freshness of the fruit if not the metaphor.