5 Small Things That Annoy Interviewers

Response to Juls and sfinsf

Juls,

I think sfinsf needs to get over her or himself, but in the meantime---as someone pursuing an accounting career, you should consider paying less attention to archaic conspiracy relics like the four-minute rule, and the waiting game that interviewers are seemingly playing with you. They're not, they are simply consumed with tasks that have them running late, and any interviewer who makes an important hiring decision inside four minutes is a poor,inexperienced one, unless the candidate is a screaming "NO" at first appearance. Assuming you're not such an abject loser, but a legitimate accountant candidate, I'd pay more attention to my accuracy and precision than is evidenced by your own post, and make sure that such sloppiness is not finding its way into your application, resume, appearance and interview style.

Hunter of CA @ May 05, 2009 20:49:42 PM

Wearing a suit to an interview?

You're joking, right? I am 52 years old (look much younger, very tall and thin) and if I wore a SUIT to an interview here in San Francisco (unless it was a job at a bank or brokerage firm) I would be treated like I was a Martian! My biggest problem is trying to figure out how to look professional but not overdressed (a sign of middle-age and unhipness). I ABHOR it and think it's disgusting, but 25-year olds are going to work wearing flip-flops and t-shirts. It's VERY hard to know how to dress for interviews these days. Look put together, and it's like wearing a sign that says you're a dinosaur -- esp. since half the girls do look like they just got off their pole-dancing shift at the strip club. Eesh!

mintocrags of CA @ May 02, 2009 21:40:09 PM

Response to "Juls of CA"

Dear "Juls,"

I don't know where you moved to California from but, as a second generation Californian, someone needs to tell you that there is NO STATE called "Cali." There also is no place called "Frisco" (it is a town in Texas, known for its railroad) and no city called "San Fran."

Perhaps you are losing jobs not because you are early, etc., but because you talk about how much you love living in "Cali"!

Eegads...like nails on a blackboard to a real Californian.

sfinsf of CA @ May 02, 2009 21:37:27 PM

Being on time and first impressions

Hi,

I am seeding employment in the accounting field, and have noticed that being more then 10 min. early seems to force the interview to be 10 min. late to greet me. This seems to be a game interviewers are playing (at least in southern cali.).

I have also heard that interviewers know if you are the one they will consider in the first 4 min. of the intervweiw. I want to know how this can be if the first four min. was taken by the interviewer giving details about the company. How do people make such fast decisions in interviews...what are we doing to turn them off??

I for one show up a little early, dress prof., learn something about the company and culture, and have a few questions for them about the company and the job. I'm confused how the four minute factor is used by interviewers, and you explaing.

Juls of CA @ Feb 10, 2009 16:03:50 PM

Hiding Early

When I go to a job interview, I have no idea how long it will take so I aim to get there way early. Often I make it just one time, and one time, I had to run on the side of a highway just to avoid being late. Yes, I know, I don't drive, it's a crime, but I need a job before I can afford a car so it's a Catch 20.

When I get to the job early, I usually hide then go in 10 minutes early. By the time I find the proper office, I usually am on time.

I don't know why coming early is such a crime. If a person is early they are doing their best in an unknown situation, and I think that this should be rewarded not punished. People who are interviewing and hiring can just make us wait. We know we are way early. That's OK, we expect to wait. It's better than being late. It's impossible to take a bus to an unknown location and wind up there precisely 5 minutes early.

Leeroy Glinchy of CA @ Jan 01, 2009 17:41:23 PM

How To Deal with Annoyed Interviewers

If I detect that something is not right with the interviewer (e.g. annoyed, spilled coffee on his favorite shirt, distracted by a family issue), I would ask, "Is this still a good time for the interview?" If he/she says no (or has slight hestiation), I would offer to re-schedule the interview.

There's only upside by doing this. If the interviewer is having a bad day, it's unlikely one would get a fair evaluation.

Lewis, AKA SeattleInterviewCoach.com of WA @ Dec 31, 2008 22:22:20 PM

Coming Early

I agree with this, but I had a terrible experience very recently where an admin assistant confirmed with me twice (phone and email) that the start time was 12 noon, but when I got to the interview I was told they weren't expecting me until 12:30. Rather than argue with them, I apologized for the misunderstanding and offered to leave and come back, but the director came out, visibly annoyed, and the interview went downhill from there. It was awful - and it was for a job I really, really wanted and thought was a great fit. I am just wondering how I could have salvaged this, or just chalk it up to the capriciousness of job hunting these days.

I am finding, with the economy such as it is, a little less professionalism with the people I have been interviewing with (along with some self-destructive desperation, for sure, on the part of us job-seekers). Maybe AAM can address this particular issue in a future column.

KatinPhily of PA @ Dec 31, 2008 11:54:36 AM

How about being late?

Hi Alison,

I agree with your 5 annoying things here and about your other points regarding ruining an interview, but I was surprised not to find "being late" on either lists.

http://leapcomp.com

Julien Dionne of OH @ Dec 30, 2008 10:06:02 AM