How to Blow a Job Interview

I am positive that every one of us has a story about how we messed up a job interview. Yes, even me. I hear a lot of talk about how candidates can "fail" an interview, but I don’t hear enough about how companies fail them. In a competitive talent market, you aren’t just auditing the candidate; they are auditing your culture, your leadership, and your respect for their time. If you want your number 1 candidate to withdraw their application before they even hit the parking lot, here is the "How-To" guide for a disastrous interview. Over my recruitment career I have had every one of these impact a candidate interview. 1. Show up 10 minutes late without an apology. Or better yet, forget the interview was happening entirely. Nothing says "we value our employees" like showing a candidate they are an inconvenience to your schedule. 2. Flipping through their resume for the first time while they sit across from you is a massive red flag especially when you ask, "So, tell me what you do again?" 3. If the interview feels like a one-way questioning session, you’ve already lost. Interviews should be an exchange of value. If you don't leave space for their questions, don't be surprised when they don't want to provide any answers. 4. Bragging about "hustle culture" or mentioning that the team is "always on" might sound like passion to you, but it sounds like burnout to a high performer. Top talent knows their worth, and their worth includes a life outside of the job. 5.  Being vague about the budget or shifting the job description mid-interview is the fastest way to kill trust. If the "Director" role suddenly sounds like an "Associate" workload with a "Junior" salary, they're out. The bottom line is that an interview is the "first date" of the professional world. If you’re rude, unprepared, and self-centered, there won’t be a second one. Hiring managers should treat every candidate like they have three other offers on the table. The good ones usually do. Now put the shoe on the other foot and most of these can apply to how a candidate can mess up an interview. Both sides of the interview should take the time to be prepared. If you need assistance call my direct line at 973-627-1888