This post originally ran on October 23, 2008, but the mistakes haven't changed much, so here it is again. Just so you know, the "dumbass" label is meant affectionately—it's really just a matter of inexperience. Hopefully, reading about other people's mistakes will help you avoid making dumbass moves of your own in your first few job interviews! Good luck!
In a recent CareerBuilder poll, more than 3,000 hiring managers and HR professionals were asked to identify the biggest mistakes new college graduates make during the application and interview process. Based on the percentage of respondents who gave each answer, these are the top 8 dumbass moves among new grads (not to mention a few other age groups...ahem).
- Acting bored or cocky (69%)
This sounds familiar. We had someone interviewing at Pongo recently who seemed pretty good, but two or three people used the word "cocky" to describe the person's attitude. (Our managers, like those at many companies, solicit opinions from everybody who comes in contact with a job candidate, not just those in the interview room – hint, hint.) If you're a new grad, it's important to realize that you may have been the coolest kid on campus a few months ago, but today you're an unproven beginner. A positive, respectful attitude is one way to set yourself apart. Confident = good. Cocky = bad.
- Not dressing appropriately (65%)
Your interview attire, like your attitude, says a lot about whether you're serious about proving yourself, or just think you're entitled to the job because you're you. Your clothing should be clean, pressed, and modest. As they say in middle school, no visible boxers, bellies, or boobs.
- Coming to the interview with no knowledge of the company (59%)
There's no excuse for not researching an organization that's considering hiring you. They have a web site; use it to learn what they do, who they are, what they specialize in. Google the executives' names (after all, they'll be Googling you; see #8, below).
- Not turning off cell phones or electronic devices (57%)
Frankly, I'm surprised this isn't No. 1. If you accidentally leave your phone on and it rings during the interview, don't get flustered and start babbling, "OMG, I can't believe I did that!" Offer a brief, sincere apology, turn off the phone (without checking who it is), then carry on professionally as if nothing happened.
- Not asking good questions during the interview (50%)
If you don't ask anything, you must not be interested. That's what the hiring manager will assume. This is a place where you supposedly want to spend most of your waking hours for the next couple years or more. You must want to know something. Besides, there are certain questions you should always ask.
- Asking what the pay is before the company considered them for the job (39%)
Mentioning salary in a first interview is like asking your crush what s/he plans to spend on you during your relationship—before you've even agreed on a second date. You have to flirt and make sure they're attracted to you before you ask about a financial commitment. (No, not literally! That'd be a whole other dumbass move.)
- Spamming employers with the same resume and/or cover letter (23%)
This guy John really, really wants to work for Company A, so he applies for every job opening Company A posts, whether he's qualified or not. Annoyed by John's never-ending resume spam, Company A's recruiters unofficially blacklist him (although if asked, they'll deny it). Don't be like John. Tailor your resume for the one or two jobs at your target company that align with your skills.
- Failure to remove unprofessional photos/content from social networking pages, Web pages, blogs, etc. (20%)
Dude, you will be Googled. Employers today use every means at their disposal to uncover red flags that might foretell a bad hire. So, hide all Internet evidence of your past (and present) indiscretions.
The transition from college to the real world is tough, and our mistakes are good teachers. Committing one of these eight blunders doesn't mean you're doomed, nor does avoiding them guarantee you'll get the job. But generally speaking, it's fair to say less dumbass leads to more job offers.
Do you think these complaints are fair? Have you committed any of these sins? Let us know about your own dumbass interview moves.
RELATED LINKS
How to Recover Quickly from an Interview Mistake
5 Things You Should Never Reveal in a Job Interview
New Grads: How to Prepare for Your First Interview
Thank you for the helpful information. Expecially for number 7 and 8. I am one of those who spammed my cover letter/resume. I didn't know you can get blacklisted. No wonder I didn't get any call back.
#8 bothers me though. I understand the the interviewee needs to prepare and find as much information about the company, but I think the company doing a background check on us kind of put job seekers at a disadvantage. Its like we can't enjoy social media site persoanlly because your future boss is going to do a background check and make preconcieved judgements through Fscebook, Twitter etc.
I don't know, the entire job searching process these days are just too complicated.
What do you think? DO you think its fair that hiring managers can prejudge you before even meeting you just by preconcieved notions through social media where we really can't do the same to them technically?
@Lydia Kim
Glad you liked the post, Lydia! To answer your question, no, I don't really think it's "fair" that employers can prejudge you, but they always have and always will. Social media just gives them one more way to do it.
And job candidates really can (and should) use the web to their advantage. If you know, for instance, that you have an interview with VP of Sales Pat Callahan at XYZ Company, you can dig up information about Pat in the course of your pre-interview research.
I guess the takeaway is to be careful what you put out there, because privacy is becoming an antiquated notion.
Thanks for commenting!
-- Julie
Julie, you're absolutely right. Instead of focusing on the "unfairness" of employers being able to search about you online, use it to your advantage. Use LinkedIn (my favorite), Facebook, and Twitter to network, research companies and hiring managers, and put your best foot forward. I write more here about how LinkedIn is essential: http://job-search-success-secrets.com/blog/join-linkedin. Best of luck, Peggy McKee www.career-confidential.com