Job interviews can be a nasty gauntlet, competition out there is brutal, and no matter how well you feel you’ve prepared, you’d best beware, they can be gruesome!
There is a factor that disturbs all positive aspects of a job interview: it’s called “fear” and a bad case of nerves can lead to serious interview mistakes – including blurting out, babbling, sweating, and fidgeting. If you aren’t careful, the interviewer will be so distracted by your nervous habits that he won’t even remember your strengths and qualifications.
They are a lot like first dates, while everyone is trying their hardest to present the best version of themselves, all the baggage will eventually come out of the closet. Most of the time, being honest is a no-brainer during an interview, however, sometimes it’s okay to bring the devil out in you and tell a few white lies.
Now that Halloween is almost here I think it is worth pointing that horror answers to interview questions can happen at any time of the year. Below are a few examples where a little white lie may have been the better option;
Q. Why did you leave your last job?
A. “I have a problem with authority.”
Q. Tell us about a problem you had with a co-worker and how you resolved it.
A. “We were both fired, haven’t seen him since”
Q. Why do you want to work for us?
A. “Just for the benefits really. My old boss didn’t like me, so one day, I just left and never came back. And here I am!”
Q. Did you bring your references with you?
A. I tried, they couldn’t get the time off work!
Article by Michael O’Connor (Senior Recruitment Consultant)
Q. What’s your greatest strength?
A. Well, I can bench 80 kg at the mo!
Q. Where do you see yourself in five years?
A. Sitting in your seat!
Q. What attracted you to the role?
A. Honestly, I don’t even know what I’m doing here – my recruitment consultant told me it’s good practice to go to interviews.
Q. So, is there anything you would like to ask us?
A. How long is lunch break?
Q. When can you start?
A. I need to check with my mom on that one.
Q. If you knew that things at your company were rocky, why didn’t you get out of the company sooner?
A. I was hanging on for a bit more redundancy, I’m up to my eyes in debt!
Joe Robbins is co-founder of CareerWise Recruitment. A graduate of the University of Limerick (Degree in Business Studies, 1985), Joe worked in the UK for five years where he specialised in materials management, production management and plant management for a number of companies.
He returned to Ireland in 1992 to become Operations Manager for a Cork-based start-up, FMC Automotive Division which was subsequently taken over by Snap-on Equipment. Joe managed the business re-location of this company to Shannon in 1997 before setting up CareerWise Recruitment in 1999.
He is a committee member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) Mid-West region, and a former Director and Vice President of the Shannon Chamber of Commerce. Joe is former Chairperson of the Sixmilebridge Camogie Club and current Chairperson of the Clare County Camogie Board.
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CareerWise Recruitment. EastGate Village, EastGate, Little Island, Cork.
Phone: +353 (0) 21 206 1900
Email: info@careerwise.ie
