Apply. An important process for your future. Also a process in which a lot can go right and wrong. Robert Half, human resources mediator, knows this better than anyone. So Robert Half listed the worst blunders that hiring managers have observed. In a video, but also in the article below. On the one hand, it is almost slapstick what managers hear, on the other hand, Robert Half rightly warns: ‘don’t let this happen to you!’ YouTube and co have already inspired many people. Now the business community is also following suit. A picture paints a thousand words. And the same goes for… applying for a job. Especially when you are not only talking about what is going well, but also about what is not going so well. Now it is of course becoming a bit difficult to get people who are guilty of job application blunders in front of the camera. But organizations in Human Resources or personnel management are able to get professionals in front of the camera to explain what turns them off about an applicant. There are some extremely comical situations. But there is also an educational source of knowledge in it.
Don’t let this happen to you
Robert Half is such an organization, specialized in Human Resources or personnel management. One of Robert Half’s activities that is very contemporary is interviewing Human Resource (HR) professionals about their experiences with job interviews. The result was recorded by Robert Half via video. But you can also distill a number of tips from this for an article like this. Completely ‘multimedia’. A number of educational blunders by applicants can be learned from the videos that Robert Half makes available on its own site. What seems? Fortunately, truly ‘extreme’ blunders are quite rare. But even smaller mistakes can lead to candidates making a poor impression and ultimately missing out on the coveted job. Robert Half’s good advice: don’t let this happen to you!
Tips and the most entertaining mistakes
The blunders that applicants make are for education and entertainment. Mistakes in job interviews are often subtle and even more often unconscious. What are the areas that you as an applicant should be alert to?
Social skills
The person who does well in business is a business type: down-to-earth and focused when necessary. But the desired candidate is also socially skilled: collegial and with some much-needed inner balance. What not to do? Read and wince, because these are some ‘highlights’ from the video fragments.
A candidate was asked why she was leaving her current position. Her response was: “My manager is a jerk. All managers are jerks.”
“I interviewed a candidate who held a magic ball in his mouth during the entire interview.”
Requirements and wishes regarding the employment conditions
If you say ‘See what you think I’m worth’ during salary negotiations, you will not reap goodwill but suspicion. Because you have to know your worth! On the other hand, Robert Half gently points out that you should not start making demands on salary and secondary employment conditions too early in the conversation. The first issue is what the employer’s needs are and how to meet them. Especially in this tough labor market. How not to do it? Here are the examples…
Someone was asked what motivated him. The applicant said: “I have a big house, a big car and a lot of credit card debt. Pay me and I’m happy.”
“The candidate told me that he was not really interested in the job, but he liked that the position came with a large number of vacation days.”
Sincerity and honesty
Honesty and sincerity is important. But even though HR managers think honesty is a good thing, don’t be too open! Dress it up a bit. How not?
The HR manager asked if there were any questions about the position. The applicant then asked, “What happens if I wake up in the morning and I don’t feel like going to work?”
“One candidate listed all the reasons why I shouldn’t hire him.”
“The applicant said he would rather work for our competitor.”
After being complimented on his choice of university and the grades he received, the applicant said, “I’m glad you noticed because I didn’t actually study at that university.”
“After the candidate came in for an early morning interview, she asked if she could use the phone. She called her employer to report sick, while she had a pseudo coughing fit.”
Clothing and style
It is an open door: applicants are expected to dress professionally. Not that the right clothing immediately gives you a job, but the wrong clothing can be the deciding factor in case of rejection. Obvious? Read on and shudder… sometimes you won’t believe your eyes or ears!
“Someone was wearing the uniform of his previous employer.”
“The lady arrived in a catsuit.”
“One person came to the interview dressed in pajamas and slippers.”
Golden application tips from Robert Halfs’ personnel professionals
- Don’t give one-word answers, but don’t keep chatting either. Provide sufficient information. Also, don’t try to fill silences during the conversation with chatter.
- Pay attention to body language. It’s not just what you say, but how you say it. Slouching, constantly shifting back and forth in your chair, crossing your arms or looking tense can be read as lack of interest or nervousness.
- Combine tact and diplomacy. Even criticism of previous employers that you consider justified always gives a wrong impression. An ironic remark can also turn out wrong. Expressing criticism is like bungee jumping. If you’re in doubt, don’t do it.
- If you have the impression that a conversation is not going well, don’t pretend that you have already been rejected. Keep calm and continue with the interview. If you show that you can quickly recover, this can work to your advantage.
About Robert Half International
Robert Half International, founded in 1948, is a market leader in specialized permanent and temporary employment services. The group has more than 360 branches in North and South America, Europe and the Asia-Pacific region. The following divisions are active in the Netherlands: Accountemps; specialist in the temporary employment and secondment of accounting and financial personnel, Robert Half Finance & Accounting; specialist in the recruitment & selection of financial specialists, Robert Half Management Resources; mediates financial interim professionals at strategic, tactical and operational level, Robert Half Financial Services Group; specialized in placing financial and banking professionals and OfficeTeam; specialized in the deployment of administrative, secretarial and commercial support staff. In the Netherlands, Robert Half is located in Amsterdam, Eindhoven, Rotterdam and Utrecht. For more information, see www.roberthalf.nl and www.officeteam-interim.nl .