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Random TJNTIY Stories

Interviewer TJNTIYs are funny, informative anecdotes from recruiters and executives (hiring managers)about the things candidates say or do that ruin their chances of being hired, from the outrageous to the subtle and nuanced.

Candidate Accepts Offer, Then Drops Off The Face of the Earth

Okay. Here's a weird one. I had a candidate once who worked for a very well-known website. I recruit said executive to another very-well known website. I present the offer. She accepts. We discuss relo. She talks about what kind of place she is going to buy. My client sends the offer letter. And then . . . nothing. She doesn't call. She doesn't write. She doesn't respond to my voice mail messages that grow increasingly concerned for her well-being. The last message I leave, I tell her that if she's changed her mind, that's understandable. It happens . . . but she needs to let me know so that we can explain her change of heart to my client. I wait, and wait, and still, no response! About a month later, I check her profile on LinkedIn and see that she's joined yet a third big Internet company. I still do not understand her disappearing act. I honestly just don't get it. But needless to say, my client will never, ever, ever, ever, ever consider hiring her in her lifetime. She is so very TJNTIY. So much so I'll say it twice. TJNTIY.

Monopoly Money For Compensation

I have had candidates where when told the salary range think they are worth more and ask for figures so out in left field that they are higher then what I am (2 levels their superior) and higher then any of my bosses. It is great to have ambition but if you looking to double your current salary, it takes a lot more then just an interview. TJNTIY.

There's the Truth and Then There's The Resume

My pet peev and the thing I now always check first when I am interviewing potential employees is that what their resume says and what they've actually done are similar. Unfortunately the practice is rampant. So don't lie on your resume kids. I also prefer much more than a 2 page summary for candidates. On the other side of the equation I find wearing a suit to an interview is usually a bad idea. Its rare that interviewers are wearing suits themselves and seems only to alienate you at the outset, at least for the roles and workplaces I tend to gravitate toward. TJNTIY.

Candidates That Aren't Google-icious

Some people air their former and current employers' dirty laundry on their blogs, and then wonder why they can't get interviews. Nobody wants to be next on these folks' wall-of-shame, and all it takes is a recruiter who knows how to type the candidate's name into Google. TJNTIY.

On Smokin' Cigs, Collecting Unemployment, & Jetting to Vegas, Baby!

"When are and how many cigarette breaks do I get in a day. " "I don't want this job anyway, I just had to come to the interview to keep getting unemployment" I thought this was the best one I ever heard: "If I get hired can I take my friends to Vegas on the company jet" FYI - there was no company jet. TJNTIY.

Sales Candidate Couldn't Sell Himself

The interviewee was a recent college graduate. He was interviewing for an entry level sales position. The candidate wasn’t sure of himself at all and was very tentative in his answers. I finally stopped the interview and told the young man flat out that I expected a candidate for a sales position to sell me on his candidacy. He said he understood and proceeded to answer the next question with, “Well, I guess I could definitely do that.” I ended the interview and suggested he look for a different type of position. Believe it or not, he thanked me for my candor and said no one had every told him the truth before. TJNTITY.

Politically Incorrect Not A Job Requirement

At that same small consulting firm, we interviewed a candidate for a programming position who was doing pretty well... until out of the blue, he launched into an impassioned political tirade about a controversial topic. Um, thanks, don't call us, we'll call you. TJNTIY.

Candidate Arrives With Entourage

I once had a candidate for an interview. My recruiting assistant brought the candidate to meet me in a conference room. I greeted the candidate, had him sit down, and began the interview process. Into the interview for about five minutes the candidate suddenly changed subjects and asked whether his mother could come into the conference room to join him! I told the candidate I only had two or three questions that I needed to ask him and I asked those questions quickly! TJNTIY.

Apparently Candidate Could Not Do The Math

"I expect to make six figures and retire before I'm 40." None of the interview panel made six figures. The two members over 40 were not amused. The candidate was history. TGNTIY.

Hypothetically Speaking . . . If I Could Give You A Straight Answer, I Would

Responding to questions with hypothetical answers. It's something that I'd never given much thought to but at the pointy end it was crucial and I had a good candidate miss this particular opportunity because of it - and you don't get a second run at it as a candidate. TJNTIY.