Have you ever wondered what interviews look like from the HR’s POV? I asked 6 HR’s to share how a candidate shocked or threw them off-balance in an interview. Come read with me...
Some names have been changed to remain anonymous
Tolu
I haven't had that experience on the good side, I mean throwing me off or surprising me because they were intelligent or bold. I mostly do virtual interviews and It is mostly people unprepared physically and mentally for the interviews that shock me. How can you not know ANYTHING about what you are interviewing for? And why are your glasses on the top of your head? And why are you interviewing in the market with a mattress shop just right behind you? Marketers eh?
Tolu’s Advice:
You need to know about the job you applied for through and through or read up about it to have more robust knowledge. If you have experience, tell us how you worked and gained the experience. Know about the company interviewing you. Dress the part even if it's a virtual interview. Finally, read your mail, the interview invite mail, making sure you didn't miss an instruction or advice. Thanks.
2. Dorcas
I can't forget one time I had a virtual interview with this candidate. So, when the candidate entered the interview, I kindly asked him to turn on his camera. I don't know if he forgot he was in an interview because he turned on his camera while wearing a durag and being shirtless!
There was also a candidate I once interviewed and I asked him a question. He wasn’t sure of his answer and asked his son (who apparently was in the room) if he knew the answer.
3. Naomi
The one thing a particular candidate did to throw me off was to appear too desperate.
After an interview with him, it was communicated to him that he was not fit due the job. Afterwards, this candidate kept sending emails every single day begging for the job. He even went as far as looking for me on all social media platforms to message me on each one of them.
Naomi’s Advice:
Put in your best during an interview and if you are not fit for that job, look for the next available one. A better one will surely come. If you are not fit for a job, being overly persistent will not make the recruiter change their mind.
In my few years of working as a Recruiter, I have discovered that most candidates are always unable to defend what they have on their CV/resume. In most cases, people with the best CVs/Resumes will often perform poorly when they are being called for either virtual or physical interviews. There is nothing wrong with having someone put together a winning CV/Resume for a job applicant, but ensure that you can defend what you have in there.
Oluwamayowa’s Advice:
Before you attend that interview, ensure you do your background search on the organization as well as the job role you applied for. During the interview, stay calm, answer the questions with confidence and steer clear of grammatical blunders. Don't ever assume that because it's a virtual interview, you shouldn't dress well - always remember that the way you dress is the way you will be addressed and first impression matters the most.
Judah
Being “considered” an attractive man, I usually get hit on by females even in my workplace. Sometimes during interviews, I put on a mask of being the rude and unfriendly HR so I can get my business done. This particular lady didn’t buy into it and kept throwing innocent rizz here and there during her interview. She stopped after I cautioned her but after the interview, she sent me an email clearly stating her intentions. This was my company email and I almost lost my job explaining myself. Since that incident, I have never interviewed any female. If there is no other person to do it, then a third party must be there.
I once interviewed a nervous candidate for an entry-level position, which initially threw me off. She was sweaty and jittery and struggled to speak without pausing mid-sentence. It is quite common for candidates to feel nervous during interviews. So, I made an effort to create a supportive environment that would encourage the candidate to relax. I started by conversing with her about the interests listed on her CV and then moved on to discussing her qualifications and potential contributions to the team. Although we did not proceed with her candidacy, the interview was successful.
Jerome’s Advice:
To make a good impression on recruiters during an interview, candidates can take the following steps:
Arrive early for the interview.
Research the company beforehand.
Highlight their relevant skills and explain how they make them suitable for the role.
Share specific achievements that are relevant to the role.
Demonstrate enthusiasm for the job.
Ask thoughtful questions about the role.
Before I go…
These are just some of the craziest interview stories that HRs have shared with me. They show that interviews can be unpredictable, hilarious, or even scary at times. But they also show that interviews are not just about testing your knowledge or skills, but also about your personality. How you handle yourself in unexpected situations can make a big difference in your chances of getting hired. So, the next time you go for an interview, be prepared, be confident, but also be yourself. You never know what might happen, or who might be impressed by you.
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