The Discovery Channel recently aired its new series, “Deadliest Job Interview,” and while that makes for a good HRSBT in itself, it also reminds us of CareerBuilder’s annual survey related to the strangest things HR personnel have experienced while interviewing potential candidates.
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From birds in shirts to singing responses, there’s never a dull moment when it comes to interviewing the masses, and thankfully CareerBuilder® has compiled a list of them! Here are some of the strangest things people have done in job interviews:
- Candidate took a family photo from interviewer’s desk and put it into her purse.
- Candidate started screaming that the interview was taking too long.
- Candidate said her main job was being a psychic/medium and tried to read interviewer’s palm, despite interviewer’s attempts to decline the offer.
- When asked what her ideal job was, candidate said “painter of birdhouses.” (Company was hiring for a data entry clerk.)
- Candidate sang her responses to questions.
- Candidate put lotion on her feet during the interview.
- When asked why he wanted the position, candidate replied, “My wife wants me to get a job.”
- Candidate started feeling interviewer’s chest to find a heartbeat so they could “connect heart to heart.”
- Candidate had a pet bird in her shirt.
- Candidate took phone interview in the bathroom—and flushed.
CareerBuilder also highlights the top 5 ways to ruin a job interview, although, I’m pretty sure the 10 listed above are great ways as well! According to respondents, the top 5 ways to ruin an interview are:
- Candidate is caught lying about something: 69 percent
- Candidate answers a cell phone or text during the interview: 68 percent
- Candidate appears arrogant or entitled: 60 percent
- Candidate dresses inappropriately: 50 percent
- Candidate swears: 50 percent
What are some of the craziest things you’ve experienced during a job interview? We want to know. Share them in our comments section below!
Applicant brought a beer and hamburger (Half-eaten)to the room to be interviewed by the President and put the items on the table, took a swig of beer then a mouthful of burger and said: “So what’s this job about?”
Applicant looked down at her hand, let out a yelp and then rummaged through her purse while she was answering the question. She finally found her fingernail clippers and then proceeded to clip a broken fingernail…and then filed it.