Job Applicants Say the Darndest Things

Wednesday July 8, 2009

When you’re interviewing potential employees, their responses to interview questions and the questions they ask during the interview, are crucial bits of information. A potential employee who asks you about two week’s notice, because they’ve been fired from every job they’ve ever had, sets your red flags flying – and rightly so. Asking whether you will pick her up for work when it’s raining so she doesn’t have to walk, is another prime example of an interview red flag.

I am fascinated by the questions potential employees ask when they are concerned about the information the employer’s background check will yield. Aren't I the last person they should want to answer their question? One applicant asked me, as he filled out the application, if he had to reveal a felony conviction from nine years earlier or had the conviction expired.

Another asked, I am a recovering alcoholic. Will that affect whether you hire me? (Ummm, no – but the fact that I asked you one question and you talked for thirty straight minutes might affect whether I want to hire you for a customer-centric sales position.) If you tell me you can’t get up in the morning and so are often late to work, why would I hire you over an applicant with a stellar attendance record?

Candidates do say the darndest things and they ask the darndest questions, too. Over at Jobs.AOL Rachel Zupek has collected: 43 Things Actually Said in Job Interviews. Read them and weep.

Then, come back over here to share the funniest, saddest, most hysterical, off-putting, right on target, and weirdest candidate remarks and questions you've heard over the years. If you've ever done interviews, you've probably heard it all. Share your favorite job interview answers and questions.

_{Image Copyright Phil Date}

More Related to Job Interview Answers and Questions From Applicants

All Topics | Most Popular | Newsletter | HR Forum
Be a Technorati Fan | Follow Me On Twitter