CareerBuilder counsels hiring candidates with help, humor

Singular in their stress level and precarious protocol, job interviews rank among professionals’ most pivotal and vulnerable occasions. So, CareerBuilder recently collated a list of epic interview moments to put jobseekers’ minds at ease.
CareerBuilder compiled its examples based on a hiring trend survey it conducted in late 2016, executed by the Harris Poll.
Results indicated that half (51 percent) of employers know whether a person is suited for a position within the first five minutes of an interview.
“The best solution to minimize pre-interview anxiety is solid preparation,” CareerBuilder’s chief HR officer Rosemary Haefner said. “If you don’t read about the company and research your role thoroughly, you could magnify your fear of interviewing poorly and lose the opportunity.”
According to CareerBuilder’s survey results, candidates variously asked where the nearest bar was located; ate crumbs off the table; sang along with piped-in music, or brought toys into the room. One interviewee brought in and ate a pizza (without sharing); another asked the interviewer out for dinner, while a third bragged about committing a crime and being featured in the local newspaper.
To address potential pitfalls, CareerBuilder compiled an inventory of unfavorable body language and behavioral or background problems named by poll respondents.
The single most frequent gaffe (cited by 67 percent of participants) was failure to make eye contact, followed by failure to smile, various forms of fidgeting and poor posture, shaking hands improperly, and using too many hand gestures.
Finally, the survey revealed the top “deal breakers” to be lying, using a cell phone during the interview, dressing inappropriately or appearing to lack accountability.