Professionals share their cringeworthy interview stories

June 21, 2024 1:22 PM

Job candidate interviewing looks surprised

We've all experienced a job interview that didn't go quite as planned, and while these experiences can be worth sharing for a good laugh, they also serve as a valuable lesson of what not to do.

Only 20% of applicants get asked to interview, according to Simplilearn, so candidates need to make this part of the hiring process count. Twin Employment found that nearly half of recruiters would reject a candidate who couldn't demonstrate company knowledge, and Jobspin reports that 39% of candidates will likely lose out on a position due to their confidence level. Those hiring aren't the only picky ones, though: A bad interview experience is enough to make 42% of job candidates decline an offer, according to data from SHL.

Whether you're trying to get hired or fill a position within your company, there is an etiquette standard everyone should strive to meet from the time they enter an interview setting. Yet for the professionals below, that appears to be easier said than done. Six individuals who went through the interview process anonymously described an experience gone awry, and what they learned in the process.

"I had a candidate take their shoes off and share that their favorite manager 'had a smokin' hot bod,'" one interviewer shared. "It was pretty clear that it wasn't going to work out."

On the flip side, interviewees can also feel uncomfortable when grilled by upper management, with one applicant admitting, "A person on the interview panel was extremely disrespectful and started to deride my university and grad program. I knew I did not want to work there under any circumstances."

For a successful match, both sides need to come to the table having done adequate research and preparation. This will set the scene for a successful recruiting process for all.

"For those on either side of the interview table, my advice is simple: Preparation and professionalism are key," says David Greiner, who runs his own law firm. "Understand the core values and specific needs of the company you're interviewing with. If you're conducting the interview, look for candidates who align with your business goals and ethos. And always gauge their genuine interest and preparedness for the role at hand."

For more advice on what to avoid in interviews, check out these cringe-worthy stories:

Getting too comfortable — and crass

"I had a candidate take their shoes off, and later when I asked them about their favorite and least favorite managers, they said their favorite manager 'had a smokin' hot bod' and their least favorite manager was a British person and they didn't like British people.

I was able to keep a straight face and gather even more information that showed they wouldn't be a good fit for the role. However, it didn't impact the way I treated or interviewed the candidate, as it's important to ensure they have a great experience with your company."

Unprofessional and unprepared

"I was hiring, and while the candidate came highly recommended, things went south the moment he stepped into my office.

From the get-go, his overly-casual demeanor was off-putting. He made a few inappropriate jokes that didn't align with our company's professional atmosphere. When asked about his experience, he was vague and couldn't provide concrete examples. His inability to articulate specific instances showed a lack of depth and preparedness.

As the interview progressed, it became clear that he hadn't done his homework. The exact moment I knew it was a no-go was when he admitted he'd never handled real estate contracts, a significant portion of the job. He was unaware of [our company's] accolades and achievements and seemed more interested in the perks than the responsibilities of the role."

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Over-confident and full of hot air

"I was on the hunt for a strategy manager, and in walks Mr. Ivy League, with a resume so shiny you'd need sunglasses to read it, and a confidence that could sell ice to Eskimos.

But lo and behold, within five minutes, I felt like I was watching a balloon slowly deflate. It wasn't just the words; it was as if his entire being had hit a snooze button. When I asked about his interest in our company, his response was as deep as a kiddie pool in a drought. His voice took on the quality of someone explaining why they love salad — it's good for you, but nobody's passionate about lettuce.

It dawned on me that this was less about joining our crusade and more about grabbing any life preserver in a sea of unemployment, and it was a stark reminder that sometimes the sparkle of a resume can be misleading."

Insults and arrogance

"During one interview, a person on the interview panel was extremely disrespectful and started to deride my university and my grad program, saying, 'I haven't heard good things about that school,' I knew the interview had gone south and I knew I did not want to work there under any circumstances!

I began speaking to the panel member as a peer, and asked them, 'Tell me more about what you have heard — I need to let the dean of the school know if the program has a bad rep.' The panel member was speechless. The other panel member still tried to recruit me for the job weeks after that exchange.

Wisdom gained from that experience: Do not tolerate any disrespect in the interview stage. If you are being disrespected at the point where the employer is supposed to be 'courting' you, it's a preview to what is surely to be a poor working environment."

Read more:

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A slice of humble pie

"After a business I founded failed, I reached out to a friend in a prominent position at a major start-up, asking for help to secure a job. He suggested I try for an M&A role that was open to fresh graduates. I had no business applying for that position because I had no prior understanding of M&A and only two days to prepare for the interview with no idea where to start.

Needless to say, things went south fast. I knew it was over when the interview wrapped up in just 15 minutes. I spent the whole time talking about myself, failing to demonstrate how I could contribute to the role.

Instead of slinking away, I owned my mistake. I apologized for wasting the interviewer's time and asked for feedback. He not only forgave me but offered invaluable advice, emphasizing the importance of researching the role, company and industry, and to focus on how to showcase my value proposition.

From that point forward, my interview prep approach transformed. I have since landed every job I've interviewed for, which paved the way for my success as a broker and now as a headhunter.

My words of wisdom: Know what you are interviewing for. It's fine to try for a role you're not familiar with, but prepare as best as you can. If you're unsure about something, reach out to a friend or a professional for guidance."

Tacky trash talk

"I was excited to interview a candidate for a senior software engineer position at a renowned tech firm, and though I was considering a few more people, I was 90% sure he was our guy.

The interview was going pretty well until I asked him to tell me about a time he overcame a challenge at a previous workplace. That triggered a full-fledged emotional rant, with the candidate badmouthing his previous boss for 'running a prison instead of a workplace' and not allowing a 30-minute delay for employees to come in every morning. He started using abusive language for his coworkers, calling them narcs, and told me how the entire team was the biggest challenge of his career.

The moment he started to talk negatively, I made my decision to abstain from hiring him. The company I was recruiting for puts culture fit at the forefront of their hiring criteria, and I knew this emotionally unstable, bitter person would be a sore disappointment in that area.

As it is, talking negatively about a previous company is a major red flag on the candidate's part. Interviews aren't for sharing how toxic your coworkers were or how badly your manager treated you; they're for showing your willingness to work as part of a team and demonstrating your competence for the role."