What NOT to do on your resume & during interview (employee, applying)

[momof2dfw]

URGH!!!!!!!!!!!!! I could write a book. I've had a rough two weeks w/ what is coming in and I'm in a LARGE metropolitan area w/ plenty of "professional" people.

1. SHOW UP ON TIME IF NOT A LITTLE EARLY for your interview!!!! Out of all 8 interviews we have conducted in 3 days this week only TWO were on time. The rest were all LATE!!! Next one late will NOT get an interview! Even tried to give an "out", "did you find the place okay?". To which they answer, "no problem at all finding you".

2. If you only had a job for a few weeks, do NOT feel the need to put it on your resume. Really. Don't as it does NOT help you if you have SEVERAL of these. Yes, saw it on many MANY resumes so far.

3. I do not mind that you have been out of the working world for 4-7 years. I'm a mom too. So you stayed home w/ the kids. That is PERFECTLY FINE AND ACCEPTABLE with me.

4. If you laugh like a hyenia then PLEASE try to refrain from laughing out loud in the interview. I heard the high pitched squels coming out of one the other day and almost passed out. Not just once either. I was not even the one doing the interview EITHER! I was in another office and they were still on the "first round" of interviews.

5. If your not eligible for rehire at your previous employer because you were too busy texting......... put the DA#^ PHONE UP!!!! Seriously, had this happen the other day for one applicant.

6. Dress appropriate for the job. Some don't require a full out business suit so get a picture of what to wear for THAT job. Wear something that would be the nicest you would wear on a NORMAL day for the job.

7. $8.50 an HOUR!!! Is ALL your expecting and you have a MASTERS DEGREE!?!?!?!?!?!?! And your applying for a PROFESSIONAL JOB!?!?!?! Really trying to "sell yourself there" aren't we. NOT!

8. If you quit a job for a pitiful reason then don't give that info out. Seriously. Had one applicant that quit their last job after a week because they would not give her an earpiece for the phone. WTH!?!?!?!?!?!!?! What if our phone system won't handle an earpiece either?

9. Do not tell us you want a "VERY LOW stress job" and don't like to answer the phones as that is one of the TOP items IN the JOB DESCRIPTION!!!! Don't waste the time applying and don't waste our time having to interview you then.

I could go on with more of what we have seen but I've got one that has actually shown up ON TIME! WOW!!! Might have to hire this one on the spot.

[njkate]

also..turn your cell phone off and if you do forget PLEASE don't answer it in the middle of an interview
In addition to the clothes please don't come in smelling like you've been hit by every perfume sprayer at Macy's
Toss the gum

One more pet peeve of mine.....those very long long fake fingernails polished in absurd colors..unless you are interveiwing for a job dancing at a Gentleman's Club

[Atlantis]

Wow, people don't have common sense. It will make me feel more confident going on future job interviews knowing that I'm up against candidates like this.

[njkate]

Originally Posted by Atlantis

Wow, people don't have common sense. It will make me feel more confident going on future job interviews knowing that I'm up against candidates like this.

you would be amazed!!

[momof2dfw]

Originally Posted by njkate

you would be amazed!!

No doubt.

I've thought that since I have not had a "real" job in about 13 years (we own the company and I don't always "work" in the office) if something BAD should EVER happen I'd NEVER be able to get hired. Forget it. Compared to these people I'd be a slice of heaven with a good base of experience (just don't ask me to make the coffee as I've told my boss, NO. Then I'm married to him). It has been utterly AMAZING and DISGUSTING what has shown up. Oh, after I was gone yesterday one girl came in wearing DIRTY SHORTS AND FLIP FLOPS! Then reading her application........... if you can not even SPELL THE TOWN YOU LIVE IN CORRECTLY........... UM NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

ATTENTION HIGH SCHOOL TEACHERS AND PARENTS:
Teach these kids how to PROPERLY FILL OUT AN APPLICATION!!!!

[GypsySoul22]

I'd have never seen anything like you've described. I guess some people are just clueless. I would LOVE to be up against 'competition' like that.

I have one for the job interviewer-- you need to dress professionally! When I go to a job interview and I am better dressed than 'the boss' or the 'HR' person it tells me that place is a joke or something is seriously wrong.

[veuvegirl]

When I was working at a retail store I was interviewing a woman for a sales position.

Her-- "So do I have to wear the clothes?"

Me-- "Yes, that is something we expect of our employees."

Her-- "Well, I think they are ugly. I don't want to wear them. I will if I have to, but quite frankly, I just don't like them, they are not my style, they are ugly."

Me-- "Um.. well thanks for your time, I think it is best if we end the interview now"

[momof2dfw]

Originally Posted by GypsySoul22

I'd have never seen anything like you've described. I guess some people are just clueless. I would LOVE to be up against 'competition' like that.

I have one for the job interviewer-- you need to dress professionally! When I go to a job interview and I am better dressed than 'the boss' or the 'HR' person it tells me that place is a joke or something is seriously wrong.

It really is sad and most of it is the younger generation. Those in their mid to late 30's and up are MUCH better typically.

As for the dress, we are an industrial corporation and we say so in our ad so that a prospective employee does not feel the need to "Dress to the Nine's" but rather in more appropriate attire for an UPFRONT professional in THAT environment. That means a nice pair of slacks and blouse/top would do just fine. If they happen to come in on a day that we planned to wear jeans as we knew we would be filling away last years invoices/statements/etc into storage boxes and into the attic........... oh well.

[nl2134]

Don't ask for too much either.

I wasn't sure about the pay scale the job I was applying for had, and I consequently overshot by around $5,000, and I'm sure that was a factor in me not getting a second interview.

Stupid of me, yes, but I've learned my lesson.

[veuvegirl]

Don't beat yourself up about it, $5000 isn't a lot to overshoot. You want the employer to tell you the amount first; that way you can negotiate.