You’re probably thinking a romantic encounter and a job interview couldn’t have less in common, but dates and interviews have a lot more in common than you may realize.
In both situations, you’re meeting someone new and getting to know them to see if what they have to offer is a good fit for you. And just like dates, if the person sitting across from you in the interview room has a cringe factor of 1,000, it can make you want to get you out of there as quickly as possible.
We’ve all had a bad date in our life, but have you ever been on a bad interview? Or worse, have you been the bad interview?
Here are some of the more common “bad daters” and their “bad interview” counterparts:
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1. The Ghost
- Completes the application, reconfirms interview, and then you never hear from him/her again.
- The applicant goes through the entire interview process only to become unreachable.
2. The Catfish
- Says all the right things to you during their phone screen only to find out they are nothing like the person they presented themself as.
- Overexaggerates or misleads you about their skills and experience.
- Has a resume that perfectly reflects the skills and experience you are seeking.
- In reality, has little to no relevant skills or experience.
3. The Avid Applicant (aka The Clinger)
- After moving on to other candidates, they will continue to reach out to you.
- Calls and emails prior to deadlines about the status of their application.
[blockquotes color=”highlight” quote=”no”] In both interviews and dates, you’re meeting someone new and getting to know them to see if what they have to offer is a good fit for you. [/blockquotes]
4. The Overly Critical
- Speaks poorly about their previous employers and colleagues.
- Denies, criticizes, and dismisses you as well as any feedback you provide them.
5. Oversharer
- Has an elaborate story for every question you ask.
- Is more interested in making friends than obtaining a job offer.
- Finds ways to insert unsolicited details about their personal life into the conversation.
6. The Person of Few Words
- Unable to clarify previous job duties and responsibilities.
- Responds with “yes” or “no” responses.
- You find yourself repeatedly asking the candidate, “Can you elaborate?” or “What was that like?”
7. The Overly-Confident
- Speaks to you during the interview as if you have already extended them an offer.
- The process of interviewing is a burden or inconvenience to them. Afterall, the job is theirs already!
- You are wasting their time.
[blockquotes color=”accent” logo=”yes”] Did you know?
82% OF Bridge candidates interviewed receive job offers
FIND THE RIGHT TALENT FIND THE RIGHT OPPORTUNITY[/blockquotes]
82% OF Bridge candidates interviewed receive job offers
FIND THE RIGHT TALENT FIND THE RIGHT OPPORTUNITY[/blockquotes]
8. The Victim
- Has an answer for everything, and they always begin with “They….”
- Is not accountable for any the reason that a previous position or company did not work out.
- Highly critical of past jobs and coworkers, but is unable to hear constructive criticism themself.
9. The Commitment-phobe
- When you ask them what they are looking for in their next position, they are “not really sure”, are “keeping their options open” or are “just kind of looking” right now.
- When you extend an offer, they will dance around accepting or declining, and drag out the process.
- Is reluctant to give you their opinion during the interview.
10. The Smooth Talker
- Manipulates your words or the job description to elevate themself during the interview.
- Quick to dismiss what you have to say.
- They are doing you a favor by taking a position at your company.
11. The Thrill Seeker
- Is only interviewing for your position to gain access to your company or a position –and tells you this.
- Will try to one-up your offer with more money and better benefits.
- Has lofty professional goals, but has no interest in gaining the experience needed to be a viable candidate for those roles.
12. The Socially Awkward
- They are great on paper, and performed well in skills tests, but they cannot provide details on their work or thought processes.
- Struggles to think on their feet, and prefers a process with a highly-structured plan.
- Has great skills, but their personality won’t work in your environment.
13. Perfect, But Taken
- Meets all your job’s requirements and checks all your boxes, but they are happily employed elsewhere.
- Tells you they would accept your offer, but has unrealistc expectations of compensation.
- Could be using your offer as a bargaining chip with their current employer for a promotion or higher compensation.