I’ve never asked someone to explain to me their weaknesses on an interview.  Sorry, I just won’t do it.  I was trained to stay away from it, and I’ve been continuously reminded to avoid that useless question when conducting interviews.

Why?

Well, when most people are asked, they try to think of something negative that they can turn into a positive.  A common response is, “Well, I’m too detailed”, or “I care too much about my work”.  When answers like this come up, recruiters know it’s bullshit, but they write it down, and that question becomes completely irrelevant to the interview.  It’s a waste of space…that’s what it is.  It’s like that one chair in your high school auditorium that’s broken.  What’s it doing there?

How do you answer it?

I mean, you can simply go the cowardly path, and answer with one of the bum answers above.  It won’t hurt, but it really doesn’t help.  Or you could be creative and do the following.  Memorize the job description completely and pick something that may be a weakness of yours that’s not anywhere near the description or duties of the job.  Let’s say you know that this job won’t lead anytime soon to a manager, and you really don’t want to be a manager one day (many people have no interest in managing people).  Your answer could be, “Well, I’m not great at delegating.”.  Just keep it simple, short, and get the hell off of that broken auditorium chair.

Watch this video…it’s exactly how I feel…

Last night, the sixth #JobHuntChat proved to be wildly successful.  From 10PM to 11PM ET, the amazing chatters assaulted Twitter with over 1,400 tweets, coming from 200 contributers.  While each week has been fun, last night has definitely set the bar for future chats, and I wanted to share responses from the most popular question of the night.

@JobHuntChat – Q4: What are some interview horror stories from the recruiters or job seekers here in #JobHuntChat

Horror Stories From Recruiters/Interviewers

@LauraVezer - Q4 – I had a candidate take a call frm his wife, & 5 mins later she arrived w/burger & fries for him. “Mind if I eat this?” #jobhuntchat

@martymjm - Q4 too many I have tooo many!!! 1st one guy who fell asleep while filling out the application #JobHuntChat

@Dannuroo - Q4 I had the flatulence interview from hell #JobHuntChat

@Dannuroo - Q4 I have been offered ummm “other favours” for a job too #JobHuntChat

@sbrownehr - Q4: Horror story – asked a candidate to tell me about his most recent job – he stopped talking 24 minutes later !! Ouch ! #jobhuntchat

@caseylooney – Q4: I once had guy show up wearing shirt that said “I love insert female body part here” asking to fill out application. #JobHuntChat

@LauraVezer - Q4: Body odor so bad I had to excuse myself mid interview & put lip gloss in my nose to complete interview #jobhuntchat

@sbrownehr - Q4: Had a co-op student who had a naked picture of his girlfriend as cell phone background – he stared at it during the int. #jobhuntchat

@MsCareerGirl - Q4: Unfortunately, I had a bad experience getting hit on. I wanted to run away…It left me feeling devalued as a career woman #JobHuntChat

@radicalrecruit – Q4: I once had a candidate get so nervous he lost bowel control…that was not fun. #jobhuntchat

@lockard7 - Q4: This is gross, but the Interviewee was so nervous, he urinated in the chair. #jobhuntchat

@Blogging4Jobs - Q4: I had woman breastfeed in interview. #deadserious #jobhuntchat

@Dannuroo - Q4 had someone admit to just turning up so I would sign his social security form saying he was actively looking for work #JobHuntChat

@ChrisFleek1 – Q4: Had an interviewee start talking to herself OUTLOUD-she was giving herself a pep talk to answer the question I had asked! #jobhuntchat

@GCompass - Q4: candidate reeking of smoke / perfume when I have breathing problems, couldn’t sit through interview #jobhuntchat

@CornOnTheJob - Q4: One of my candidates told me he had a pain in his ass, and found out it was a cyst. Then said “ouch” #JobHuntChat

@martymjm - Q4 A few drunks, more than a few stinky ones, one who brought his kids INTO THE ACTUAL interview #JobHuntChat

@thenetconnector – Q4: Candidate asked me to hurry up with our interview bcause she left her child in the car WOW #jobhuntchat

@tlcolson - Q4: Candidate spoke no english and brought his mother to translate for him during interview. (Customer Service position) #jobhuntchat

@Dannuroo - Q4:  a colleague of mine asked the strengths Q and got a “I’m great in bed”

@caseylooney - Q4: I have also had a drunk applicant tell me that I could come to his house and ride his horses…. #JobHuntChat

@Le_Brenda - Q4: Candidate showed up wearing tight leggings, oversized t-shirt w/ lunch dripped down front & a Boa. #bankjob #JobHuntChat

@SeeKrisRun – Q4: Interviewed a perosn who told me that she had 29 cats & 15 dogs. Told me her cats have “Cat AIDS.” #jobhuntchat

@karla_porter -  Q4:  Me: So, tell me about yourself.. Candidate: I killed someone #JobHuntChat

@drivethruhr - Q4: Had an interview show up a few minutes late due to a DUI (alleged) on the way to the interview. #jobhuntchat

@robinschooling - Q4. The candidate w/ open fly and no undies #JobHuntChat!

@karla_porter - Q4 Me: why isn’t ur application complete? Candidate: Jumped off the bridge and lost my cell phone. #jobhuntchat

@robinschooling - Q4 the applicant filling out app (old days) who paused, put pen down and changed baby’s diaper desk #JobHuntChat!

@sbrownehr - Q4: Had a mom show up for her son to make sure it was a “nice place to work” before her son was allowed in the building. #jobhuntchat

@martymjm - Q4: Had a candidate fill out an Application as Batman, I wish I still had that app #jobhuntchat

@BillBoorman - Q4: The worst thing is interviewing somone who doesnt know why they are there or what they want #jobhuntchat

Horror Stories From Candidate/Interviewee

@MaryfKrueger - Q4: A person interviewing me told me in detail about her divorce #JobHuntChat

@WriterChanelle - Q4. One time I listened to my mother who insisted that my natural hair needed to be straight in order to get a job. #JobHuntChat

@BLKMGK01 – Q4: I got asked if it was very different coming to work for white fellas when I applied for a job. That was a bit deep… #jobhuntchat

@steve_campbell - Q4: Knowing you’re a great candidate but not being able to express it in a short interview is the worst. #jobhuntchat

@hgondo – Q4: My worst job interview was in front of a panel of people in a foreign language. I was sweating profusely by the end. #jobhuntchat

@coreycondello – Q4: I’ve gotten: “Woah, I was expecting a large Italian man with a high phone voice!” when I walked into an interview. (My name) #jobhuntchat

@hgondo - Q4: During one interview I was asked why I didn’t share his religious beliefs! It was surreal. #jobhuntchat

@SJOgborn - Q4: I once had an interviewer say “Wow, you’re tall!” Yes….yes I am…not a great talking point. #jobhuntchat

@JennSchooley - Q4: Also got splashed head to toe by speeding cars while on the way to an interview once. #jobhuntchat

@WriterChanelle - Q4: I yielded. A very humid day resulted in straight/curly hair that ended up looking very unkempt for the interview #JobHuntChat

@leannapelham - Q4: 1 resume, 10 references, 12 interviews & IQ Test to get a job counting wallpaper and dusting sauder #jobhuntchat

Some of these are absolutely hilarious, and almost sad because they have actually happened.  I want to thank everyone who participated last night, and I hope you’ll continue to join my co-moderators (@Blogging4Jobs & @MsCareerGirl) and I for future chats.

Which of the Interviewer stories were your favorite?  What about from the candidates?

Do you have suggestions for future chat questions?  Submit them here!

Last week, I went out for some drinks with a few of my cousins and we started talking about  the job search.   Somehow, the topic of dressing for success, while working from home was brought up in the conversation.  My older cousin, Steven, thinks that people should always dress like they are in the office when working from home, and argues that they will perform better because of it.   I disagreed.  While working from home, I’ve been productive and successful while wearing gym clothes.  A comfortable Corn On The Job, is a happy and successful Corn On The Job.

Naturally, the conversation got me thinking about how people dress for phone screens.

I’m sure there are plenty of studies that go against my opinion, but I wear whatever I want, or I should say, whatever I’m wearing that day for phone screens.  If a suit and tie makes me more professional, but takes away from my personality and how I really am, do I want that?  No.  I want a company to feel my personality through the phone, and let my experience and ability to talk about that experience be the resulting factor.  Will wearing long socks and uncomfortable dress shoes get me the job?  I don’t think so.

What are people saying on Twitter?

I wanted to gain the opinion of some friends on Twitter, so I popped this question:

Do you dress up for phone interviews? Does it affect your performance if you don’t? Let me hear it.

Snazzy Phone Screen Dressers

• @WhatsWithDiane – I work better from home when I’m dressed and made up. PJ’s are cool but don’t feel right after 7 a.m.
• @JennyGuerrero - I find that the closer to a face to face interview it is (including attire & surroundings) the better I perform.
• @GraceKBoyle – I always like to shower, get ready and dress nicely for phone interviews. Mentally, it makes me prepared and equipped.
• @RobinSchooling – If I didn’t I would ‘feel’ less prepared. Part of the process for me is being in the right mind-set/serious. PJs don’t cut it
• @jamesledbetter - It’s always better to dress for success even if u r the only one who sees u

Comfortable Phone Screen Dressers

• @ImSoSarah – I work best in yoga pants and a tank top. On extra fancy days – Jeans.
• @Jon_Hyland – Sweats and a t-shirt is my preferred work-from-home attire. Clothes don’t really affect my personality
• @marenhogan – No and no.
• @TrinaWardell – I’m w/ @marenhogan – no and no – provided I am prepared (research, etc) my perf is gr8 even in PJ’s! 

What do you think?.

This is a guest post from Bill Boorman. Bill is an internationally recognized leader based in the UK with more than 27 years of industry experience. He is the Co-Founder of the #TRU Conferences, blogger at The Recruiting Unblog. and host of Ready For Liftoff, an international blog talk radio show. You can find Bill on Twitter @BillBoorman or on LinkedIn at http://uk.linkedin.com/in/billboorman

When someone guest blogs for me, I expect Corn On The Job to receive something unique, or at least a post that I wouldn’t have thought of.  In his guest video blog,  Bill has created a genius post that is exactly what I hope for from a guest.  The video points out various ways a candidate can get the most from their recruiter and also explains what recruiters expect from candidates.  In most unique fashion, Bill has made this video without once being in front of the camera himself.  Check out the below genius from Bill, and stop by for some comments after.

First off, I’d like to thank Bill for calling me Mr. Corns.  Every time I’m referenced as Corn, Corns, or Mr. Corns in the video I get a nice laugh out of it.  Brilliant.

So, besides learning that my cousin has blue hair and is the worst candidate ever, what else have we learned?  Here are a few of my comments:

• Always. Be. On. Time.
• Send resume before meeting your recruiter, and also bring a clean copy or two with you (Bill – how did you know I <3 peanut butter?)
• Recruiters can’t help if you don’t know what you would like to do.
• Clean up your Facebook profile
• Identify a salary that will work for you.  This is important.
• You probably won’t be working as an assistant for Steve Jobs.  Don’t ask for ridiculous shit.

Those are a few of my comments – what did you get out of this post?

Who said that funny, can’t also be informational?  Check out the hilarious interview video clip below and stop back after for my comments.

What have we learned?

• DON’T get caught up in a magazine while waiting for them to start your interview
• DO dress well.  The guy totally dresses the part in this interview
• DON’T hit on anyone or ask for their phone number.  Even when you think you can guess the first 3 digits
• DON’T tip anyone.  You know this, right?
• DO smile when greeting your interviewer.  The man is certainly confident.
• DON’T bring up awkward/weird animal facts.  What are you, a zoologist?
• DON’T use company names from movies for your resume.  Although awesome, I don’t suggest it.
• DO move the conversation to an area of expertise you are more comfortable with.  He totally moved it on to his “special skills”.
• DON’T list your “Dong” size under special skills.  Thanks.

Photo Credit - Eric Yeager

Have a bit of interview anxiety?  Here’s a quick tip – your recruiter is pulling for you.

While most places aren’t hiring in bulk like they used to, recruiting/staffing has been cut back, which doubles, or even triples the work load a recruiter has on their plate.  When someone calls about your resume, it’s because you look the part on paper and they are hoping you are the part. This should instill some confidence in you.

After passing the phone screen and scheduling a face-to-face interview, you best believe the hiring team is excited and wants you to be the one.  Sure, this doesn’t mean you are a lock for the job, but up until this point they are loving your stuff, so try to smile, relax, and then charm the shit out of your interviewer(s).

Stay positive through out the process, a negative attitude will only cause setbacks.  I read a post from Nicole Crimaldi yesterday on using the Law of Attraction to attain your goals.  It is a great post on the power of positive thought, and I’m a 100% believer in how a positive attitude and positive thought becomes who you are.  BELIEVE that you are the best fit for the position and KNOW that you will perform wonderfully on the interview.  You might find yourself surprised to see how much better you interview once setting your attitude straight.

One last thing.  Just because your recruiter may <3 you, this doesn’t give you the right to act like their best friend.  Stay professional, and keep your personal distance them until you gain co-worker status.  Sarah White urges you to quit being so nice, and stop e-mailing her pictures of cute kitties.  Just because we are your recruiter, it doesn’t mean you can Facebook us, or send “What’s up?” e-mails our way.  Doing that will be creepy, and we won’t be pulling for you anymore.

Got it?

Photo Credit - Eric Yeager

Recruiters: Do you agree with me?  Have a funny/creepy story to share about candidates being too nice/weird?  Think I’m a jackass?  Whatever you’re thinking, I’d like to know.

Job Seekers: What helps with your interview stress/anxiety?  Ever do something nice for your recruiter before or after being hired?

Since starting Corn On The Job I’ve read stories from job seekers trashing employers, recruiters, and hiring managers.  I’ve sat back and watched, and I have wrote about and agreed with comments regarding how long an interview process can take, the rudeness of a recruiter or manager, and also how completely idiotic certain interview questions are for selection.  You’ve all made great points, and many organizations and recruiters are surely at fault, but it’s about time the recruiters and organizations fire back.  This surely won’t be my most popular post, but I’ll be damned if I’m not the one to finally say …

Job Seekers:  It’s time to grow a pair, and stop making excuses

As recruiters, we’ve learned that scheduling an interview doesn’t necessarily mean our candidate is going to show up.  In our early years, we may have experienced a bit of shock and some anger at your lack of consideration, but over the years we just come to realize that it’s all part of the job.  We’ve heard every excuse in the book, two or three times over.  Here are some of the most common:

• Car broke down
• Cat/Dog is sick
• Son/Daughter is sick
• I’m sick
• Alarm never went off 
• Couldn’t find the office

There are others that fall a bit on the ridiculous side, and I’m sure my recruiting buddies can share some hilarious excuses they’ve heard.    No matter what the excuse is, its hard for a recruiter to buy it.  As a recruiter, we naturally begin to question how bad you want the job, if at all.  We may give you another shot at rescheduling, but we’ll hold our doubts.  

In a situation where you have changed your mind or decide the job isn’t for you, just call us!  Even a simple e-mail will do.  Give us plenty of time before the scheduled interview so we can inform anyone actively involved with the interview process.  Canceling the day of is incredibly frustrating for everyone involved, and at times can embarrass the recruiter.  You can also damage a recruiters reputation, especially those on the staffing agency side.  Just do us a favor and call us plenty of time before the scheduled interview if your feet start dropping in temperature.

Are you a victim of “Boy Cried Wolf” syndrome

We do understand that sometimes your cat, Buttons, really is sick, or maybe you really have had stomach problems the morning of the interview (stay off Taco Bell and Chipotle the night before).  Even though you really might have an emergency on interview day, we aren’t going to believe you.  Luckily, in most situations you’ll be granted a chance to reschedule.  This is your opportunity for redemption, and to be successful you must follow these critical steps:

When you must cancel, but really do want the job:

1. Notify your recruiter immediately when unable to make an interview
2. Apologize with sincerity, and beg/plead for a chance to reschedule
3. Schedule a time that you can make, at all costs
4. Thank the recruiter and apologize again at the end
5. Show up extra early (30 minutes) or so to prove that you are excited and do want the job
6. Thank your recruiter, interviewer, and interviewing team for rescheduling and apologize again for missing the first scheduled interview

When you burn us once, you need to come at us three times as strong the second time.  Failure to show up on the second attempt results in crossing your name off of our list.  Do as I say, and those suffering from “Boy Cried Wolf” syndrome will redeemed.

Want to win an absolutely FREE Professional Resume Edit complete by Vertical Media Solutions (www.vmsolu.com)?  Read contest details at the bottom! All participants win!

Top talent moves fast, so why do companies insist on interview/hiring processes that take forever?  Most of us have been part of an incredibly awful interview process before, or at least know someone that has.  It’s never fun, and I can ensure you it’s not a walk in the park for the organization either.  Recently, I was researching company interview strategies and came across an example of a terribly long process that I’m sure results in frustrated candidates and lost talent for the organization.  Here are the painful 7 steps in their process:

1. Resume submittal/Quick initial phone Screen if resume meets basic qualifications
2. Candidate takes at least 1 skill assessment test
3. Second phone screen lasting one hour with their recruiter (an hour, really?)
4. Face-to-face interview with hiring manager lasting 2 hours (finally)
5. Candidate takes personality assessment test (find something sharp, and stab me, please)
6. Second face-to-face interview with hiring manager and team members (why not meet the team the first time around?)
7. Offer presented.   Contingent on successful background and reference check (if the candidate is still around)

Why do long interview processes like this fail?

Processes like the one above drive candidates absolutely bonkers.   People (especially top talent) aren’t willing to wait forever and will jump on the first opportunity that comes their way.  A process like the one above would take at least 3-4 weeks to schedule.  Not only does the candidate need to make room for each terrible step, but the recruiter, hiring manager, and team members of the organization need to plan time.  The elongated process greatly increases the risk of losing talent to competitors and other companies.

What would I change?

There is much I would change about the above process to make it run smoother for the organization and candidate.  Here is the process that I would implement:

1. Resume Submittal/Phone Screen with recruiter (just one phone screen needed)
2. Skill and Personality Assessments Complete by Candidate (if these tests are critical, get them out of the way first)
3. Face-to-face interview with hiring manager and team members (panel interview possibly)
4. Offer presented.  Contingent on successful background and reference check (done!)

The process I outlined works, I’ve implemented a process like that and received excellent feed back from candidates.  People do not like having to go back to an interview site or plan for 3, 4, or 5 separate screening sessions .  Many people that are already working want to spend their vacation time on the beach, not in your office.  Those that are unemployed hope the process moves quick and makes good use of their time.  It’s simple, just treat candidates like customers and everyones happy.

Contest Details – Win a FREE Professional Resume Edit

Vertical Media Solutions, the official resume writing company of CornOnTheJob is giving away a FREE resume edit to one of my readers.  Along with this great prize, EVERY participant will receive an incredible discount to any of the services they offer.  To participate, just comment on this post and your name will be entered into a random drawing out of a hat!  Here are more details:

• What should your comment say? – Ask a question about a step in the interview process, tell me about a terrible interview process you’ve been involved in, tell me about the longest you needed to wait to hear back from a company, or anything you’d like me to hear/know!  Simply, just respond with a comment and you’ll be entered into a random drawing!
• How do you win? – When you comment, your name enters a random drawing out of a hat.  I will email you once I receive your comment
• When does contest start/end? – Starts 12:00AM Monday, November 2nd and Ends 11:59PM Friday, November 6th

More about the prizes!

• Winner – Receives a FREE Resume Edit ($150 value) complete by Vertical Media Solutions. Winner also receives a FREE 30 minute Interview Preparation session.  This session can be used within 180 days from the end of the contest.  This is a $200 value total completely FREE!
• Participant Prize – Each participant receives a 20% discount on any services that Vertical Media Solutions offers.  Please take note that the purchase must come within 7 days of the contests completion.  With purchase of any service, the participant will also receive a FREE 30 minute Interview Preparation session, which can be used within 180 days from their purchase.

*Please note that a resume edit is an edit to your current resume.  Vertical Media Solutions will look for ways to improve your existing resume, which is the first thing the hiring manager/recruiter sees from you.

Photo credit – http://www.metronews.ca/edmonton/Work/article/84384

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1. Why do you want this job?

This question fails so hard.  A recruiter/hiring manager needs to gauge your level of interest in their position and organization, obviously .  Initially, candidates can prove that by submitting a resume/application for the opening.  Also, not that employers have time to read them, but cover letters should be very specific as to why you’d like to work for their company and particular position.  Study your cover letter and use it to answer this question.  Even without preparation, most people can BS a great answer on the spot.

2. What are your greatest strengths?

Quickly becoming extinct, most organizations have removed the question from their interview strategy.  To answer, check the job description for essential skills listed.  Use this list to create  your own personal greatest strengths.  No, I don’t condone lying but the company should be punished for its use of such a terrible question.

3. What are your greatest weaknesses?

Barf.  Also becoming extinct, this question is far worse than asking candidates about their strengths.  Most candidates assume a strong answer would be something like, “I work too hard, or care too much about the projects I’m assigned”, hoping to make a positive aspect of themselves sound negative.  At this point, recruiters/hiring managers have heard enough of those sugar coated answers and their interest is in your true weakness.  If you must answer this question, go about it smartly.  Again, review the job description for important skill sets, traits, and essential job functions.  Once you know what skill sets are important to the job, you’ll also know skill sets NOT important.  Create a few weaknesses that aren’t important for the position, and utilize those for your answer.

4. How would your co-workers describe you?

What a waste of time.  Isn’t the reference check enough?  When asked this question, be very specific.  Example, “When I worked with Tom at Google, he always said I worked best with our customers.”  State a name, the company, and something that reflects your value.  An example of something not to say is, “Bob told me I smiled a lot.”  Easy enough, right?

5. Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

Terrible.  Absolutely terrible question.  Loyalty is gone.  Employers don’t expect you to stay for 5 years, and I’m sure you feel the same.  People take whatever they can from an employer (money, skill) and move on.  There will always be people who end up staying with a company for 20 years, but its growing increasingly rare to see.  To answer, be broad.  Be honest, but be broad.  State a few of your career goals, but don’t mention the exact position or company you hope to work for.  If your interviewing with a “stepping stone” company don’t let them know it.

(Towards the bottom of this post you’ll find details for a contest, prizes included)

Winners Announced at the bottom!

Basic hygiene means taking showers daily, coating our underarms with deodorant, and spraying nice smelling cologne or perfume on our body (even if you are still using Cool Water).  Keeping oneself well groomed, with freshly brushed teeth and neat finger nails are other obvious learned duty’s.  Our entire lives we make it a habit to take care of basic hygiene, and I’d like to thank (most of) humanity for doing a pretty damn good job, however, through my career adventures I’ve been forced into conversations with those who needed a quick hygiene reminder.  Awkward?  Just call me Larry David.

“I’m going to have to ask you to take a shower”

I know I’m not alone, plenty of others in the recruiting industry have started off a conversation with similar words.  For me, these talks came mostly when I was working in a staffing agency, supplying out IT contractors to my clients.  Client managers would send messages like:

“Jim works hard, has strong technical knowledge, and works well with customers, but people here have complained about the way he smells.”

I’d also receive similar comments after certain candidates completed an interview.  ”You have the job, but you need to shower more often.”  There’s no way to beat around the bush when completing a “hygiene prep-talk”.  You need to nip it straight in the bud, and hope the other person accepts the truth.  Luckily, the last couple years I have been free of communicating any sort of hygiene reminder.

The point of this is just to serve as a reminder to everyone to watch your hygiene.  It’s just as important as the way you dress for an interview and can cost you the job.

Contest Time

Welcome to the first contest on CornOnTheJob!  Rules for participation:

• Send in a comment below regarding a work related hygiene issue.
• Don’t mention the name of your target.  No need to be specific.  Your target might even be YOU, if that’s the case just make up a name.
• The contest will run until Tuesday, October 26th at 12 PM.  At that time I will put all of the names in a hat and pick our winner!

Prizes:

• First Place – A brand new stick of Axe deodorant, and 2 CornOnTheJob magnets!!  Bling Bling!
• Runner-up – 2 CornOnTheJob magnets!

* Please note that I will pay for shipping.  This is serious people.  Very, very serious.

Winners

• Runner Up – Sabera
• 1st Place and Champion – Andrew

Thanks to everyone that participated.  Your comments were hilarious, disgusting, and brilliant.  Please keep an eye out for future contests, and your chance to win more incredible prizes!