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Interviews | Candidates' Top 10 mistakes

What are the most unusual things candidates have done in a job interview? Fall asleep? Strip naked? Show up a day late?

Job site CareerBuilder.co.uk has conducted a survey of the most outrageous interview mistakes candidates have made, according to 281 hiring managers and HR professionals across the UK.

This year’s Top 10 list:

* When interviewer asked candidate why he wanted to work for the company, he replied: “Because I fancy the girl who works in reception".
* Candidate turned on a CD player to play the song “I feel good” during the interview.
* Candidate performed magic tricks for the interviewer.
* Candidate showed up for the wrong job interview with the wrong company.
* Candidate kept checking his mobile which was in his hand under the desk during the interview.
* Candidate told interviewer: “I don’t have any particular ambitions for advancement, as long as I am paid a lot more in five years time.”
* Candidate told interviewer that he would not be able to travel for work when his football team was playing at home.
* Candidate told interviewer he would wrestle clients to the ground rather than trying to diffuse difficult situations.
* Candidate tried to pick up (physically, I think) the interviewer.

And my personal favourite:
* Candidate gave the interviewer the impression that she had murdered her husband.

The survey also said that appearing 'disinterested' was the most detrimental mistake a candidate could make in an interview. Appearing arrogant came second and speaking negatively about a current or previous employer ranked third.

CareerBuilder.co.uk offers the following tips for successful interviews: Do your homework, don’t get too personal, be honest, prepare for common questions, don't be negative.

What are your horror stories when it comes to interview?

Mike Berry |

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This page contains a single entry from the blog posted on April 1, 2008 8:00 AM.

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