Human resource professionals and hiring managers have a lot of interesting stories pertaining to their interviews, particularly with the crop of millennial professionals. Everything from eating lunch throughout an interview to having their parents negotiate their salaries, a lot of millennials are making horrific and embarrassing mistakes during the interview process.
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Indeed, there are thousands of articles online highlighting the dos and don’ts of job interviews. For some reason, though, millennials are making egregious mistakes, and many of them are just weird and flummoxing. Why would anyone bring their parent to the interview? Why would anyone text their friends as the hiring manager asks questions.
If you think it’s an exaggeration then here is an interesting statistic: one-third of millennials say it’s OK to text during a job interview and to arrive late to a job interview. Most even talk bad about their previous employer as they sit in the chair sporting very casual attire.
Why are millennials failing job interviews and exhibiting such traits? For one, it’s the fault of the school because these government education centers have been tasked with preparing children for the workforce, and thus prep for job interviews. Second, parents aren’t helping improve upon common sense, manners and positive behaviors. It’s time for a change.
Unsure if you’re presenting yourself in a bad light? Here are five weird things millennials are guilty of doing during job interviews:
Bringing Your Parents to the Business
Although it’s perfectly acceptable to have your mother or father to drive you to the office and then wait in the parking lot for your return, it’s another thing entirely to actually have your parents sit in the lobby, or worse, have them take part in the job interview. It makes the hiring professional uncomfortable and portrays you as someone who needs to be coddled, isn’t independent and will not be ready for the work world for quite sometime.
Using Your Phone During Interview
Despite career experts and pundits regularly complaining about this annoying habit, many job applicants (of all ages) tend to peruse their phone during the job interview. Instead of turning it off and placing it in your bag or pocket, many candidates will actually play with their phone while they engage with the interviewer. It’s pretty odd to do this since it’s rude and suggests you’re indifferent to the person or the job. In any case: turn off your phone!
Being Too Laid Back & Casual
It’s good to be yourself, honest and kind during a job interview. However, it’s another thing to be too laid back and casual. This could consist of sharing intimate details about your personal life and your thoughts on your previous employer. You could be “hanging out” in the chair and just pontificating your opinions on an array of matters, areas that may not even relate to the industry at hand.
Thinking You’re Going to the Beach
This is another 21st century problem that hasn’t been solved. Many prospects, whether they’re men or women, tend to believe they’re heading to the beach when they take part in a job interview. Even if you’re going straight to the beach after the interview, don’t wear swim shorts or bikinis to the interview. It doesn’t have to be swimwear either. Women shouldn’t be wearing stilettos and miniskirts to job interviews, while men shouldn’t be sporting track pants and t-shirts.
Eating Throughout an Interview
Believe it or not but there are plenty of job candidates that have actually eaten during job interviews. Whether it’s throughout video conferencing or live in person, many millennials will take out their McDonald’s or leftover meatloaf and start munching during the interview. How could anyone think this is a wise idea?
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Final Thoughts
One of the many things that is interesting about the company policy and hiring process is that they’ll be changed down the line. Since millennials are now dominating the workforce, they’ll be in charge of these businesses. If they think it’s OK now to text during a job interview then they’ll allow this behavior in the next 20 to 30 years.
Let’s face it: we all need to improve our job interviewing skills from time to time, especially if you haven’t had one in a very long time. It’s best to employ common sense, honesty and respect whenever you’re unsure. How you present yourself will determine your career success.
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