Dumbass Mistakes New Grads Make in Interviews

My sister works for the state consulting with smaller cities and towns in an HR capacity. I recently saw a presentation she delivered breaking down each employed generation and what they give and expect from an employer. The demographics were very interesting especially considering the impact of baby boomers retiring over the next 20 years. Specifically, it caught my attention when addressing the youngest working generation who is just now joining the workforce. As we imagine, that group values COOLNESS like cutting edge technology, flexible work schedule, being able to telecommute, etc. over things like pay, benefits, stability, and loyalty to one company.

I noted one of the most interesting things about this generation is that the parents of these young adults often get involved in one way or another in the interview process. I find that outrageous. It goes with the line of thinking where we shouldn't use red ink or real grades in school anymore lest a child develop a complex about it. It infuriates me yet I do not know of ONE person who thinks this way or raises their children this way so where are these parents, leaders, teachers? What communities do they live in? So, lets forget teaching a child how to be successful by never having an opinion about their output and lets hold their hands their whole life?!?

If I was conducting interviews for fresh college grads and a parent escorted or even asked to sit in on the interview, I'd have serious concerns and would likely not consider the candidate at all. What parent would do this? What is their goal? Even more concerning is what are these parents churning out as workers? Are they going to need to call Mom when a customer yells at them or takes their business elsewhere?

Wow!

Thanks for writing, Jes.

I can't imagine a parent actually going to an interview, either, but I've heard of it happening. And as an editor who loves wielding a red pen, I am right there with you, lamenting the ridiculous concept of not correcting children's writing.

Fortunately not every young worker fits the trends -- and it's not only young workers who make dumbass moves in interviews.

Definitely some interesting food for thought. --Julie

I'm surprised that #4 doesn't come up more often, I would think that almost everyone forgets to turn off their phone or at least put it in vibrate mode.

There's no way #7 is that low. I would say it's above 50% or else this is a biased sample.

The irony is with those cocky kids is how little they know coming out of college. By the time the last class is done, the first one is a distant memory.

Hello,

I have an opinon. Oh, yes. And I have earned the right to that opinion. In my opinion. - I have worked as a third party recruiter and have had exposure to quite a variety of corporations, small and medium sized private and public firms. BTW, twenty-something I am not.

Oddly enough, what brought me to this website was googling the words "dumbass" and "hiring". My comments, however, represent the flip side of your raison d'etre.

I would simply like someone, anyone, to acknowledge the degree of serious dumbass on the hiring side of the fence.

Case in point. My beef began almost two decades ago when I read job postings requiring 5 years experience with software that had only been in existence for half that time.

And if I am going to apply for a job that I can not accept if offered, because it will not pay enough to cover my daycare, transportation and other employement related expenses then we are both dumbasses who have wasted time and effort. So post the salary range and do us all a favor. Or don't discount me because I asked the question prior to the application. Would you keep a salepeople onn staff if he/she spent oodles of time with pointless meetings because they didn't QUALIFY the potential customer? Funny how that shifts when you are looking at the other side.

And guess what - only you, the hiring manager (and maybe your boss) think this is worthy of secrecy. I assure you that 99% of the population doesn't care and of the 1% that does, there is 1/4% that has ill motive for knowing your pay scale and - now pay attention because this is imporant - if they really want that information, THEY WILL GET IT ELSEWHERE!!!

Now let's talk about cocky. I have worked with some HR folks whose sense of self importance is right up there with genetic research scientists who are seeking cures for cancer. Oddly enough, I have also helped the said scientist find a research job and this humble, nice, brilliant person has far more jusitifcation for cocky than anyone in any HR role.

Lastly, if anybody is listening, please present truthful job requirements. I have countless examples of postings for customer service reps/sales folks who, in the actual job are REQUIRED NOT to think for themsleves, get bonus points for ditching all customers who don't fit into the scripts in the training binder and (sorry, don't mean to be too cruel) couldn't survive in the position for more than a month if they had an IQ over 50. So basically, there are many bright, ambitious young folks who do waste their time with huge companies whose true corporate culture is SO far off of their advertised image that it would make your head spin.

Years ago, I wanted back in the workplace after a maternal hiatius. Applied for a humble CSR job with a firm that has a lizard in its advertising. Couldn't get the time of day from them. Oh well.

Recently I moved. Called this firm for a quote on automobile insurance. Had a gal on the phone who had absolutely NO interest in disclosing the details of the proposed policy, despite my specific questions on coverage, did EVERYTHING in her power to get me to simply fess up my credit card number and finally after frustrating the daylights out of me, I told her I was "hanging up now". - NOW I know why I didn't get the interview. I remember a strong emphasis in my cover letter about my high digree of integrity and so forth.

Now they are who they are. And I am who I am. We agree to disagree. - But the crap around it all is so pointless and wastefull. This at a time when we as Americans need to be productive and competitve.

Well, I hope I haven't truly offended anyone. Didn't mean to. But I am so certain that business can succeed famously without the pontificating, without the arrogance, without the me-first-screw-you approach. If we all (to quote Dr. PHil) "Got Real" about things, focused instead on providing damn fine products and services, there would be no time for the "dumbass" factor. Well, at least it would be minimized.

Have a good day, y'all.

notapirincess

@notaprincess

Here are a few of our past blog posts that might make you feel better:

http://www.pongoresume.com/blogPosts/228/when-bad-hr-happens-to-good-job-seekers.cfm

http://www.pongoresume.com/blogPosts/188/how-to-handle-6-dumb-things-interviewers-do.cfm

http://www.pongoresume.com/blogPosts/181/5-really-stupid-questions-from-interviewers.cfm

Thank you.

not a princess. .. I am SO glad I finally found someone who thinks like me! THANK YOU! Job seekers do not have any more time to waste than the big 'boss' who won't give you a hint of salary. Uh uh, we don't play games.. people who tell you not to mention salary are full of it. I have personally received over 40 jobs offers in my lifetime (documented) and I certainly did ask about salary! You need to listen to my show DAY JOBS, princess... and please call in! I have been asking for yrs 'does this just happen to me?' because my career and interview experiences have been so incredibly in their unprofessionalism.. call in to the show tuesday nights at 7 pm:

BlogTalkRadio.com/punk princess...

And this 'you have to get along with others'.. that's another ridiculous one given to job seekers. I have seen very serious unsmiling dour people get the GOOD paying jobs while happy smiley CSR makes $8.00 an hr.. hmm.. which would you prefer? maybe you won't make friends at work or get a retirement party, or be known as a bastard to work with but hey! Your standard of living will be a lot better ! Case in point: My father! They are still talking about his 'strong willed personality' 20 yrs after he left the govt. (this from his former co-worker). BTW: He got many promotions and became a federal exec. I have seen COUNTLESS companies keep managers and staff who are very difficult people and very rude and disrespectful. They basically move them around from dept to dept or let them stay. So much for 'you gotta be a people person and be friendly' ha! excuse me while I laugh. I had co-workers tell me and this is a quote 'you are easy to pick on, because you are nice'.

(why do you think I CREATED this radio show? Because of all the crap management thinks it can pull on workers).

PARENT SITTING IN ON AN INTERVIEW?! HA HA! MINE WOULDN'T EVEN TALK TO MY MALE SUPERVISORS WHEN THEY WERE HARASSING ME! Handholding is a snotty phrase, though. Helping isn't 'hand holding'. Reality is in the olden days (1920-1960) brothers got jobs for their brothers, uncles, sisters and cousins. Was that 'handholding?' yeah! no relative got ME a job! and I mean they admit their relative got them their job, or they work in the family business.. ha, must be nice.

I just wanted to comment about the internet thing, if you never use your real name on the internet (such as myself), no one will ever find you =). I've used a fake name since my first computer!

My husband, until recently, was a manager for a major electronics retailer and one of the things he did was interview prospects for MIT positions. The stories he's come home with are both laughable as well as sad. #2 seems to be a overwhelming occurance. One of the things we were always taught was to dress better than the job you're going after. IOW, tho you won't be in a shirt/tie, you go into an interview with a suit/tie. You LOOK professional, tho the job you're interviewing for may well not be. Unfortuately, a lot of younger people, just getting out of HS and college do not understand that. The attitude is "it doesn't matter." What's on the resume "matters."

Guess what? A person has but a few seconds or minutes to get an impression of you and if you show you don't care, then why on earth should the interviewer? You have already given the interviewer, the person who very possibly holds your future in their hands, the impression that you don't care enough to get dressed properly.

If you can't expend the energy to get your behind dressed properly, don't waste the company's time in interviewing you. You only get 1 chance to make an impression.

#8 has been address with young people for the last 5 years or so and a lot still do NOT get it. A lot of companies now do thorough background checks and since you are after being a representative of their company, they want someone who is NOT going to embarrass them. You can say it's "your private life" all you want, but if they can find it, and you're that stupid on line, for all the world to see, you can bet that you are NOT what they want to represent them. And yes, they have EVERY RIGHT to do it.

Too many of the younger generation have absolutely no concept of the meaning of the word DISCRETION. According to Webster's, it is 1: the quality of being discreet : circumspection ; especially : cautious reserve in speech 2: ability to make responsible decisions 3 a: individual choice or judgment b: power of free decision or latitude of choice within certain legal bounds 4: the result of separating or distinguishing

Tho openness is wonderful in some respects, it is discretion and your ability to be discreet that will serve one well. Unfortunately, too many of the younger gen just do NOT get the need for it.