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How to Flub an Interview
By Lynn Hazan & Chris Nilsen

People ask us all the time for the dos of an interview. Well, here are a few of the don’ts. Welcome to How to Flub an Interview 101. It’s easier than you think.

1. Show up late. You’ll appear when you want to. After all, your time is more important.

 
2. Come unprepared. Why spend the time researching and preparing? You are quick on your feet and impress people with your quick wit.

 
3. Wear sloppy clothing or apparel that calls more attention to yourself. Besides, you always look great at the dance club! The hiring manager will look right past that Budweiser T-shirt and hire you for your brains and talent.

 
4. Don’t bother to send a thank you note after the interview. You said thank you on the way out. It’s more efficient that way.

   
5. Don’t show enthusiasm in meeting your future boss. You’re far too cool to act excited. Besides, you don’t want to be disappointed in case you don’t get the job. Just think…What would Fonzie do?

 
6. Focus on anything in the room except for the interviewer’s eyes. But there’s a crazy looking plant in the corner of the room! Boy how you love a good plant. Plus, making eye contact would imply intimacy, and you don’t want that.

 
7. Don’t ask any questions or probe to go beyond the job specs. The real job is bound to be different, so why bother? You’ll figure it out on the job.

 
8. Don’t take the recruiters or HR Managers seriously. They don’t count. Save your sparkling personality for the “real” interview with the hiring manager.

 
9. Don’t elaborate on your credentials. Why would you waste time talking about your credentials when it’s all on your resume? Better to get down to the meat and potatoes…like salary.

 
10. Don’t bring your writing samples and portfolio. You’re a college graduate! You should be insulted that you may be asked to complete a writing test. Good riddance.

 
11. Take 100% of the credit for projects that were team based. Wow, talk about a great way to sound awesome. You were the superstar of that team anyway. The rest of the staff were lazy to begin with.

 
12. Diss your old boss. He deserves to be fired after he didn’t promote you. Finally, you have a platform to air your grievances. Everyone loves to hear the dirt.

 
13. Take your shoes off and place them on the chair next to you. (Honest, this happened!) The Partner puts his feet up on the table. You feel comfortable enough in the interview to follow his lead.

 
14. Answer your cell phone. Schedule your next interview and tell your spouse to put the dinner in the oven. You can impress the interviewer that you care about your family’s health and nutrition.

Follow these steps and you’re sure to flub that next big interview. Next candidate please.

2008. Lynn Hazan & Associates. All rights reserved

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