My General Manager, Jessica, who has worked with me for some 15 years, is going on maternity leave today.

And boy, am I going to miss her. She is a very smart young lady.

So, I am back to interviewing for someone to stand in while she is on maternity leave.

Now, it's true to say that job interviews can make even the most confident person nervous, but a little preparation can go a long way.  

People make mistakes in interviews, but some errors are so over-the-top that they make the decision for a client not to hire them easy. 

Sometimes, candidates can let themselves down at the interview stage by doing or saying some crazy things that you just cannot prepare for.

I have picked out my top 10 of the most amusing. 

1. One candidate, without asking, had a sip of the interviewer's tea. 
2. Another one hugged the interviewer at the end of the interview. 
3. One applicant refused to sit down and insisted on being interviewed standing up.
4. The candidate commented that he would do whatever it takes to get the job done, legal or not! 
5. When asked why he wanted to leave his current employment, one candidate said that he had worked for his Mum for three years, but it is now time for a change! 
6. When asked the question, where do you see yourself in five years, a graduate replied, "Student today. Vice president tomorrow!" 
7. An interviewee was asked what person they would most like to meet, living or dead, and their response was the living one." Yikes!
8. One interviewee mistook one of the female interviewers for a man! Not good! 
9. When asked who the best person would be to contact for references, a candidate responded, 'please do not contact my immediate supervisor at the company. My colleagues will give me a better reference." 
10. Finally, when an interviewee was asked why they left, they responded I would still be at the company if some muppet hadn't snitched on me.  
11. And finally, finally, one more for good measure, one candidate filled out an application form with different colour crayons.  

Recruiters can also get it wrong with client visits. 

A bit of self-deprecation here; I visited a blue-chip client in central London one Friday and the HR director that greeted me was wearing a smart corduroy suit.

I said, oh, I see you have a dress down Friday policy; she said no; why do you ask? 

Ouch.  

Needless to say, I did not win the business. 

Again, it's not good to laugh at someone else's expense, so I promise not to do it anymore.

Once more, to redeem myself, I would like to give you a copy of my Interview Tips and Techniques from my recruitment startup programme:

Interview Tips and Techniques

As before, please feel free to share.

Warm regards

Joel Brandis Davis FREC