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Meet the Dumbest Job Interview Applicants

Human resource pros share the worst things they've seen, from real candidates trying to get hired. Here's what not to do.

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Took the edge off...with a drink.

"I swear this is true: Someone threw his beer can in the outside trash can before coming into the reception area."

Anonymous HR professional

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Hey: TMI, people.

"A guy once talked during the interview about how an affair cost him a previous job."

Anonymous HR professional

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Read the directions wrong.

"We ask prospective job applicants at our business to fill out a questionnaire. For the line 'Choose one word to summarize your strongest professional attribute,' one woman wrote, 'I'm very good at following instructions.'"

Anonymous HR professional

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Grossed out the interviewer.

"Someone once blew her nose and lined up the used tissues on the table in front of her."

Anonymous HR professional

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Misunderstood the work.

"An individual applied for a customer-service job, and when asked what he might not like about the job, he said, 'Dealing with people.'"

Source: Robert Half Technology

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Brought a sidekick. Who wasn't patient.

"Once an applicant's friend came in and asked, 'How much longer?'"

Anonymous HR professional

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Didn't bother with research.

"It's amazing when people come in for an interview and say, 'Can you tell me about your business?' Seriously, people. There’s an Internet. Look it up."

HR professional in New York City

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Listed all experiences...relevant or not.

"I had somebody list their prison time as a job. And an exotic dancer who called herself a 'customer service representative.'"

Sharlyn Lauby, human resources consultant in Fort Lauderdale, FL

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Came hungry.

"I had someone eat all the candy from the candy bowl while trying to answer questions."

Anonymous HR professional

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Called in an understudy.

"The candidate sent his sister to interview in his place."

Source: Robert Half Technology

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Gave more than a handshake.

"Someone applying for a job hugged me at the end of the interview."

Anonymous HR professional

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Ordered in lunch.

"Applicant delivered prepaid Chinese food, including a fortune cookie with his name and phone."

Anonymous HR professional

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Spammed a prospective employer.

"Applicant put up posters of himself in the company parking lot."

Anonymous HR professional

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Wore the wrong outfit.

"The candidate arrived in a catsuit."

Source: Robert Half Technology

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Got too creative.

"Applicant announced his candidacy with a singing telegram."

Anonymous HR professional

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Thought he was larger than life.

"Applicant rented a billboard, which the hiring manager could see from his office, listing his qualifications."

Anonymous HR professional

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Shared his "happy" hours.

"Candidate specified that his availability was limited because Friday, Saturday, and Sunday was 'drinking time.'"

Anonymous HR professional

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Tried to justify the crime.

"Candidate explained an arrest by stating, 'We stole a pig, but it was a really small pig.'"

Anonymous HR professional

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Forgot to proofread the cover letter.

"Advertising is a tough business. Which may be why one prospective adman wrote a cover letter boasting, 'I am getting to my goal, slowly but surly.'"

Anonymous HR professional

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Was just weird.

"A job applicant came in for an interview with a cockatoo on his shoulder."

Source: Robert Half Technology

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Your Comments

  • 1483813150

    em,I’m a student .I just want to study Enghlish. 

    • Cindy Kay

      Brush up on your spelling, too.  I have a BA degree in English.  Good luck as I’ve been unemployed for 4 years now..

  • 1483813150

    em,I’m a student .I just want to study Enghlish.

  • Erhic garcia

    feeling closed

  • http://www.yahoo.co.uk/ Firozali A.Mulla

    CRM and HR has the law and they need the laughter most of the times I thank you Firozali A.Mulla DBA

  • http://www.facebook.com/shirley.walker.14811 Shirley Horst Walker

    I worked in middle management for many years  I had to hire and fire waitresses and kitchen help and bus people.  When you go to apply for work, dress as you would go to work,  not sport or liesure clothes and no fancy or unusual jewelry. I knew in the first 5 seconds if I would consider hiring a person. In 14 years I had to fire one person that I had hired.

  • Tammon71

    Every company that teaches interviewing skills says to ask this question even if you know about the company! You can always learn more! N maybe they can’t afford Internet n that’s why they need a job! Commenting on tell me more about the company.

  • Babydoll 70

    I’m trying to figure out how some of these qualify calling the persons dumb.  It seems like they really needed a job and were marketing themselves.  Oh, no I’m sorry you want them to remain unemployed so you can continue to complain about your tax dollars having to pay for their welfare.  Silly me.

  • Grackene

    Resume writing coaches and military TAPs classes tell you to “ask them about their company. “. So now we aren’t supposed to do that? Make up your mind.