As a job seeker, don’t be memorable for the WRONG reasons! In this slideshow from OfficeTeam, find out some of the most embarrassing job interview moments that have happened in real life. You’ll also get tips for avoiding these types of mistakes when meeting with employers.

1. Most Embarrassing Job
Interview Mistakes Revealed
(And How You Can Avoid Them)
© 2014 OfficeTeam. A Robert Half Company. An Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/D/V. All rights reserved.
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2. “The candidate called the interviewer by the wrong name.”
Source: OfficeTeam survey of 613 senior managers in the United States and Canada
© 2014 OfficeTeam. A Robert Half Company. An Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/Disability/Vet.

3. “One job seeker had
lettuce on his teeth
when he arrived.”
Source: OfficeTeam survey of 613 senior managers in the United States and Canada
© 2014 OfficeTeam. A Robert Half Company. An Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/Disability/Vet.

4. “An interviewee was so nervous she almost fainted.”
Source: OfficeTeam survey of 613 senior managers in the United States and Canada
© 2014 OfficeTeam. A Robert Half Company. An Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/Disability/Vet.

5. “The applicant did a song and dance
routine in hopes of getting the job.”
Source: OfficeTeam survey of 613 senior managers in the United States and Canada
© 2014 OfficeTeam. A Robert Half Company. An Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/Disability/Vet.

6. “Someone brought his pet dog.”
Source: OfficeTeam survey of 613 senior managers in the United States and Canada
© 2014 OfficeTeam. A Robert Half Company. An Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/Disability/Vet.

7. “When a woman was asked
to tell the interviewer a little
about herself, she didn’t
have anything to say.”
Source: OfficeTeam survey of 613 senior managers in the United States and Canada
© 2014 OfficeTeam. A Robert Half Company. An Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/Disability/Vet.

8. Some job seekers failed to dress the part:
“An applicant
showed up
in sweatpants.”
© 2014 OfficeTeam. A Robert Half Company. An Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/Disability/Vet.
“One candidate
didn’t realize his
zipper was down.”
“The person was
wearing mismatched
shoes.”
Source: OfficeTeam survey of 613 senior managers in the United States and Canada

9. These professionals should have
watched what they said:
“Someone started
swearing during
the interview.”
© 2014 OfficeTeam. A Robert Half Company. An Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/Disability/Vet.
“One job applicant
was caught lying
on her resume during
the meeting.”
“A candidate claimed
he was late because
he got lost, but the
receptionist said she
saw him hanging out
at the coffee shop.”
Source: OfficeTeam survey of 613 senior managers in the United States and Canada

10. Others didn’t realize that actions
speak louder than words:
“A candidate
fell asleep.”
© 2014 OfficeTeam. A Robert Half Company. An Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/Disability/Vet.
“One applicant said he
never lets people see
him sweat -- but he was
sweating profusely.”
“The person was checking
his cell phone and chewing
gum during the interview.”
Source: OfficeTeam survey of 613 senior managers in the United States and Canada

11. This job seeker made the
ultimate of interview mistakes:
“A guy didn’t know what job
he was applying for.”
Source: OfficeTeam survey of 613 senior managers in the United States and Canada
© 2014 OfficeTeam. A Robert Half Company. An Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/Disability/Vet.

12. And sometimes, the interviewers
were guilty of cringe-worthy moments:
“Someone spilled
a pot of hot coffee
on the candidate.”
“An interviewer walked
into the closet instead of
the meeting room.”
© 2014 OfficeTeam. A Robert Half Company. An Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/Disability/Vet.
“A hiring manager was
reading the wrong
person’s resume.”
Source: OfficeTeam survey of 613 senior managers in the United States and Canada

13. 7 ways to avoid embarrassing
job interview mistakes:
1. Do your research about the company.
2. Practice responses to common and tough questions.
3. Dress to impress, paying attention to details from head to toe.
4. Verify directions in advance and build in time to decompress before
meeting.
5. Don’t lie or stretch the truth.
6. Watch your body language and delivery when responding.
7. Speak diplomatically about former employers.
Source: OfficeTeam survey of 613 senior managers in the United States and Canada
© 2014 OfficeTeam. A Robert Half Company. An Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/Disability/Vet.

14. About OfficeTeam: OfficeTeam, a Robert Half company, is the nation’s
leading staffing service specializing in the temporary placement of highly
skilled office and administrative support professionals.
Visit OfficeTeam’s Take Note blog for more
career, workplace and management trends
officeteam.com
© 2014 OfficeTeam. A Robert Half Company. An Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/Disability/Vet.