Interviewing

I sat in on a couple of interviews today. I am amazed applicants take little care in preparing for such a big step. Not only are these individuals judged on their academic achievements but also the care in which they present themselves. The competition for the two jobs available garnered 78 applicants. That is a lot of competition even though this is a civilian job with limited access to the lab. After the applicant tracking system weeded out some candidates, there were still 22 who met qualifications. Still, a lot of competition.
I met with a young man who was supporting a lot of rear cleavage. He felt that if he was hired he would only be able to do "HIS" job and didn't feel "getting involved in other peoples space was worth it". He also noted he was an avid football fan. While I'm listening to him ramble I wondered how many people on a football team have the impudent behavior to sit around on the field saying, "It's not my job."
One of the young women who came in looked as if she had just gotten out of bed. Glitter on her face and a tube top. She admitted she had just graduated and maybe partied a little too much. She also wanted to let us know that is why she might not do to well in the interview. But she did say she was fun to be around and liked to meet all kind of people. She must have forgot about the background investigations on prospective applicants for clearance (which she signed several months ago). It became very clear that some people will opt for deception over admission.
Anyway, I normally decline to sit in on interviews and I clearly remembered why as I was sitting there. In my line of work, I see a lot of smart stupid people and some stupid smart people. But there are many young men and women who erroneously feel that college gives them an entitlement to any position they apply for. When an employer has so many people to choose from, an applicant must shine. Education, ability to communicate and specific skills are important, however, appearance matters too. Take your job interview serious. You probably won't have a second chance. You only get one chance to make a first impression