Survey Says: 73% Have Answered Phone Or Text During Job Interview

BY: 

Dave Forde
March 21, 2012

CareerBuilder.ca released some data from their latest survey where they interviewed more than 600 workers and more than 280 hiring and human resource managers across Canada, and asked a series of question to help understand what some of the biggest mistakes candidates make during interviews and share their most unusual interview memories.

Most Harmful Common Mistakes

Hiring managers say the following are the mistakes most detrimental to your interview performance:

  • Appearing arrogant: 74 per cent
  • Answering cell phone or texting: 73 per cent
  • Talking negatively about current or previous employers: 73 per cent
  • Appearing disinterested: 71 per cent
  • Chewing gum: 64 per cent
  • Dressing inappropriately: 59 per cent

Most Unusual Interviews

Hundreds of hiring managers shared their most memorable or unusual interview experiences. Here are some of the highlights:

  • Candidate yawned and started to nod off.
  • Candidate admitted to being very difficult to work with and stubborn about accepting instruction.
  • Candidate arrived late and appeared to come straight from a nightclub.
  • Candidate provided a reference but asked that we not contact the person because they wouldn’t say anything good about their work.
  • Candidate opened and ate a bag of chips during the interview.
  • Candidate talked about his outstanding arrest warrants.
  • Candidate said he only applied for the job because his parents made him do it.
  • Candidate brought his mother to the interview.
  • Candidate discussed not wanting to work very hard.
  • Candidate arrived for the interview wearing sweatpants.
  • Candidate got up and left during the interview without an explanation.

Are you guilty of any of these mistakes?

Join your peers!

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Dave Forde


Dave “The Connector” Forde has been involved in the marketing, public relations and technology industry across Canada for over 20 years in various sales and marketing roles, he launched The Connected One network of business sites which connects buyers to the right sellers. Profectio and PR In Canada covers news about the marketing and public relations industry each day helping professionals advance their career and businesses. He also serves as an advisor to a number of businesses across the country. Find Dave on LinkedIn and Twitter.


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