10 Things NOT to do in an Interview.

I don't know if it is because I spend most of my day skimming resumes or because I have a short attention span but breaking down things into Top 10's is so much more fun to read. So here you are, the 10 thing you should NOT do in an interview!

DON'T

10. Be rude to the receptionist - I often think people under estimate the power the front desk receptionist has. They screen calls, regulate strange guests, plan events and in general, make your life easier. At my last job, I had a candidate come in who was ridiculously rude to the receptionist, demanding she get off a call to get him water, call his assistant and get her to do something, etc. Anyway.. shortly after I interviewed him, my phone rang and I knew exactly who it was. Boy did our receptionist tell me how she felt about the candidate. As she was talking I was picturing all of those blocked calls getting through, strange guests showing up at my office and an event never running smoothly again. I assured our receptionist I would never consider him for a job (not to mention I would never want to work with someone like that), and I didn't.

9. Have a poor handshake - What a way to get off on the wrong foot. I shake peoples hands all day and I have nightmares about when that simple task goes wrong. When I shake your hand, I don't want it to be so limp that I feel like you want me to kiss the top of your hand (ya'll know what I am talking about) OR think that you are reenacting some sort of fraternity/sorority handshake. And, the sweaty palm... gross, how am I supposed to get your sweat off my hand without being obviously rude... so instead, I will spend the rest of the interview thinking about your sweat drying on my palm. Before you have the receptionist call me, go wash your hands and pull it together. A strong hand shake shows confidence, poise and professionalism.

8. Wear too much perfume or cologne -  We will likely be in a small room or office for 30 minutes together. Too much perfume or cologne is intoxicating. I once had a hiring manager tell me that he couldn't remember one word the candidate said because he was trying not to gag the whole time. Keep the fragrance light or go all natural (soap).

7. Ask about benefits - Why am I going to waste my time telling you about benefits when you don't even have the job? Why would I want to tell you about all of the money I spend on employees when you aren't even one? Don't jump the gun. Save this conversation for the offer stage.

6. Ask about vacation days - So you haven't even started and you want to take off??? That makes me confident about your work ethic. Again, let's keep these questions to the offer stage, and if you are disappointed about the amount of vacation days when you get to the offer stage, negotiate (shoot, I shouldn't have said that).

5. Talk negatively about past employer/manager - Good rule of thumb, don't be negative AT ALL in an interview but this one really gets to me. I have had candidates tell me about their horrible bosses from their last 3 jobs. That just makes me think something is wrong with you. If there actually was a sketchy situation with a past employer, interview, not the time to bring it up. Be honest but don't reveal too much information.

4. Express any form of profiling - So what I mean, don't express judgement on any types of people, location, school, degree, etc. Examples: I had a candidate tell me that he lived with 2 redneck southerners who talked like hicks... I wanted to ask their names because I might be related to them. Another candidate started talking crap about how dumb people are with State School educations, especially if they study something like communications, I slowly turned my head towards my LSU Mass Communications degree on the wall, awkward.

3. Dress Provocatively - You know the phrase "Flaunt it if you got it"... well, not always the case. Low cut shirts and tights pants are inappropriate. I don't care if you are meeting with all men, ladies, don't do it! You will be the talk of the office but not in the way you want. You might get a date out of it but not a job. (hmmm, I wonder if anyone interviews purely to meet high powered men...) 

2. Talk about your personal life when asked a professional question - There are so many common questions that could be asked in an interview. Be prepared to answer them and answer them in a way that show how your experience relates to the job you are interviewing for. I once asked a junior level candidate if he could go back to college and do one thing over, what would it be? I was expecting, take more leadership roles, more internships, etc. He told me he wouldn't have dated his high school girlfriend for the first year of college. It effected his ability to make friends, join the right fraternity, etc. Really? Really? Wow....

1. And finally, DON'T: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-AMgagxCvZQ