HR Strange But True

Stolen Family Photo Costs Candidate the Job

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.

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:

  1. Candidate is caught lying about something: 69 percent
  2. Candidate answers a cell phone or text during the interview: 68 percent
  3. Candidate appears arrogant or entitled: 60 percent
  4. Candidate dresses inappropriately: 50 percent
  5. 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!

2 thoughts on “Stolen Family Photo Costs Candidate the Job”

  1. 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?”

  2. 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.

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