Everyone has been on one side of a less-than-ideal interview. But now you can rest easy knowing that you’re not one of these 60 people who did something so ridiculous or outlandish that no was is surprised they didn’t get the job (except, perhaps, for them).
Employers and recruiters have been sharing their best stories on platforms like Reddit for years in an attempt to tell people what NOT to do. Alas, it seems like there are lots of folks out there who have yet to learn their lesson.
From assuming they were a shoo-in to bringing their moms (YES, THEIR MOMS!) to interviews, these folks were memorable in all the wrong ways.
1. Premature vacation
It’s pretty ballsy (in a bad way) to ask when you can get off work before you’re even hired, especially if the company has busy times of the year.
2. Fair warning
We hope this job didn’t involve operating heavy machinery.
3. Clueless candidate
Hopefully, most people realize there are plenty of people who show up to interviews who DO know what the company does.
This dude sounds really motivated too.
4. Show me the money
Asking about the compensation package for a high-level position at the first interview is pretty tricky in general. That’s why a lot of job ads include a salary range and websites like GlassDoor exist.
Maybe wait until you get a callback to spring this on them – and even then, be a bit classier about it.
5. Let’s do this
Maybe you can start when you get a clue.
In other words, it’s gonna be a while.
6. Priorities
We understand not wanting to cancel a vacation (but only if it’s something important and/or pre-paid) but waiting to start so you can finish collecting unemployment?
Umm, that’s not how the system is meant to work.
7. Will I get caught stealing?
But if you’re going to ask a sketchy question, it’s always best to let someone know WHY you’re asking.
8. Beer bros
Right after an interview is probably not a great time to start drinking in the office.
But you have to admit, some people are a special kind of clueless!
According to Business Insider, this candidate’s antics shocked Edward Coram James, the CEO of Go Up.
9. Middling management
Apparently this guy thought he was ready for the big time.
Sit back down, son.
10. Solid slacker
It’s generally better to assume you’ll be going to work every day if you apply for a full-time job.
11. Practice run
Also, you know you can CHOOSE what you put on your resume, right?
12. Multitasking
What was this woman thinking?
And bringing in outside food too? Nice touch.
13. Think fast
We imagine this wasn’t meant to be a joke – and yet, who says this seriously about themselves?!
14. Social media stalker
Otherwise, lose their number.
15. Drunk dial
Now, if you plan to be entertaining, fine.
But you clearly have to be careful who you drunk dial!
16. So close
But at least she didn’t let them spend the money on the background check.
This story from Vice really raised our eyebrows.
17. Smooth criminal
This person is just lucky the original creator of the work had a decent sense of humor about it.
We also hope he got a reputation for this kind of dishonesty.
18. Perv alert
If you’re going to perv out during the interview, we’d like to thank you for the heads up in advance and wish you luck in therapy.
19. When the answer is “never”
It’s also safe to say that asking a manager about protesting something before you’re even on the payroll makes you sound like a bit of a pain in the arse.
20. Bring mom to work day
It’s incredible how willing some people are to be infantilized – and how willing parents are to do it!
We just wonder how he answers questions on his dates!
21. I have to take this
Can you imagine being so clueless that you’d waste an interviewer’s time like this?
Apparently it comes as second nature to some people.
22. Wrong time and place
Then again, maybe this guy knew he wasn’t going to get the job and realized this was his only time to tell his interviewer about the Lord.
23. Accentuate the positive, eliminate the negative
Also, women, please stop telling people you’re “bad at math.” Let’s just stop perpetuating this stereotype now.
FYI: A job interview is not the best place to tell people you’re bad at something!
24. TMI
Sometimes questions stump us, but the answer is never to reveal our less-than-classy social exploits.
25. So manly
We’d rather work with a man who can barely move 30 pounds than this piece of work any day.
26. Sit-in
It’s folks like this that make us wonder how some people manage to clothe and feed themselves much less get as far as a job interview.
27. Dude, where am I?
What does this person think software development entails, exactly?
28. One and done
We’re sure that the job search went really well. Do you think anyone hired him before he figured out what he was doing wrong?
29. She needs an assist
We’re just going to go ahead and say that’s NOT an acceptable qualification to work with children.
30. Death does not become you
Technically, your hobbies are your own business, but it’s always nice to know if people are going to make things awkward at the watercooler.
And, yeah, it sounds like he will.
31. No thumbs up
Can you imagine sitting there with a straight face?
32. Foot the bill
We just hope they framed that bill and hung it on the wall of the interview room to show future applicants.
33. Mommy issues
This question is truly bonkers.
A good rule of thumb is to just never bring your mom up in an interview at all.
34. Keep it relevant
Certainly, you can think of something more relevant.
Or maybe not. But have fun affording those shoes if you can’t get through a job interview.
35. Game over
How did this person think they were going to get away with this?
What sorts of questions did they assume the interviewers would ask?
36. Party on, Garth
We think you need to elaborate on the “and sh*t” part before you’re considered a good candidate.
37. How much can I slack?
If it’s a job other people are applying for, it’s safe to say this question will knock you pretty far down the list of ideal candidates.
38. Crap answer
We’re honestly not sure which one is worse.
And neither is going to get you the job.
39. But I’m just a manager!
This is one serious lack of knowledge and one seriously bruised ego.
40. Verbal abuse isn’t funny
“Turns out he was serious” is one of those things you never want people saying about you.
So don’t be a jerk.
41. Run for your life
But there are far more graceful ways to take yourself out of the running (no pun intended) for a job.
42. (Re)morse code
We think these interviewers were far too kind.
43. First impressions
Sometimes it’s good to get a heads-up on just what kind of person an interviewee is before you have to invest time in them.
Guess you have to be careful who you spit near.
44. Who is this “us” you speak of?
Apparently, when they say “dress for the job you want” that can really be taken the wrong way.
45. This isn’t a hostage negotiation
Someone who is still unemployed, we’d venture to guess.
46. What a character!
Otherwise, keep the songs inside your head!
47. No moms allowed
Especially if you’re THIS mom.
If you think your kid’s talents are worth extra money, you can always pay them yourself!
48. Are you even trying?
This person seemed perfectly fine with admitting they had neither.
Are you just hoping to go on unemployment at this point?
49. Executive scooter
Even if she left the scooter outside, you really can’t bring your cat to an interview.
50. Might as well just let people know you’re a jerk
Can you imagine working with him?
And can you imagine thinking this is acceptable behavior?!
51. No more moms
Moms – you should know better!
We hope you have that basement bedroom ready for a loooong time.
52. Tears for fears
It doesn’t even matter what grade you’re teaching. You need to be the most emotionally intact person in the room at all times.
53. Textbook bad
First of all, textbooks don’t have all the answers.
But are you really going to argue with your interviewer?
54. Cover your basics
And some people wonder why they have a hard time finding a job.
55. Watch your tongue
That means keeping your tongue in check – literally and figuratively – during interviews.
56. Know the lingo – and the language
The more you let people slide without requiring them to have the pertinent skills, the worse things become for everyone.
57. That attitude will get you nowhere
Maybe you put so little effort in and are such an entitled jerk that no one will even trust you with basic tasks.
We hope the position went to someone with some social skills.
58. What happened to customer service?
What kind of person wants to see people fail, much less their own clients?
59. Snoozefest
Narcolepsy is a real problem, but that’s probably something you want to bring up at some point during the process.
60. Dry your tears
No one is going to pay you out of pity.
The real pity is that this hiring manager learned to hate their job so early on – but after the stories we’ve read, we really can’t blame anyone for not cherishing this task!
We’ve all had our share of non-ideal moments during an interview or things we would do differently, but these folks have gone to the next level when it comes to being ill-equipped to be employed.
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