This presentation describes 10 things candidates should not do when interviewed. Effective communication during the interview process is also included in the presentation.

1. The 10
Commandments
Of What
NOT TO DO
On a Job Interview

2. 1. Thou Shall Not Be Late.

3. Arriving early (but not too early*):
 Allows time to fill out required forms.
 Gives you time to mentally prepare, relax,
and get settled.
Gives you a chance to take a deep breath
and poise yourself.
Visit the nearest restroom and take a last
minute look in the mirror.
* Do not arrive more than 15 minutes early

4. Don't Be late...
 If you are, the employer may believe
you have poor time management skills.
 Running late is disrespectful to the
hiring manager and the company.
 If you know you will be late, call and let
the hiring manager know just in case
s/he wants to make other arrangements.

5. 2. Thou Shall Not Have Your
Cell Phone Turned On

6.  Do not use your cell phone in the lobby
 Do not put your phone on silent
 Do not put your cell phone on vibrate
 Turn Your Cell Phone OFF.
If you have your phone on vibrate mode,
the person interviewing you can still
hear the buzzing sound and that could
be disruptive.

7. The only reason a cell phone
should be on during an interview
is if you need to be connected
to receive an emergency call. If
so, inform the hiring manager
before the interview starts.
If you are expecting an important
phone call, let the caller know in
advance what time you will not be
available and not to call you during
those hours.

8. 3. Thou Shall Not Dress Inappropriately

9. During the interview, you are being judged
on your skills and abilities, as well as the
way you look.
You want the attention focused
on you and don’t want your
clothes to be a distraction.

10. Do Not Wear
sneakers, jeans,
hats, shorts,
t-shirts, baseball caps, flip-flops,
sandals, capris, rolled-up pant legs,
open-toe shoes, or cargo pants.

11. Men Should Not Wear
 brightly-colored suits
 flashy prints,
 loud, bright colors
 heavily patterned
shirts or ties

12. Women Should Not Wear
 Stilettos
 Sun dresses
 Revealing or low cut outfits
 Heavy makeup
 Mini-skirt or mini-dresses

13. 4. Thou Shall Not Be Unprepared

14. Don’t Be Unprepared!
Do some research on the company
before your interview. You want to know
as much about the company as possible.
If possible, know something about the
person interviewing you.
 In this age of social media and
Information Technology (IT), it is easy to
find out about the company and most likely,
about the interviewer.

15. Be Prepared to Answer these
Interview Questions:
 Tell me something about yourself.
 What do you know about this company?
 Why did you apply for this job?
 Why should we hire you?
 How would your current (previous)
manager describe you.
 Do you have any questions for me?

16. Be PreparedBring a note pad and pen so that you
can take notes.
Bring a list of questions and ask at least
four questions. (Some questions on your list
may be answered or discussed during the
interview.)
When the interviewer asks if you have
any questions, do not answer "no."
Answering “no” makes you appear
unprepared for the interview or not being
interested in the company or the job.

17. 5. Thou Shall Not Forget to Bring
Your Resume and References

18.  Bring several copies of your resume to
give the interviewer and others you might
meet on the day of your interview.
 Your resume should be in black ink and
on white, off-white, or beige paper.
 Before your interview, buy a blue or black
two-pocket folder. Put your resume on
one side and your references on the
other side.
Do Not Forget to Bring
a CURRENT Resume.

19.  Only provide your references if the
interviewer asks for them.
 You should have three professional
references. Include your references’
names, company names, titles, and
contact information.
Do Not Forget to Bring
CURRENT References

20.  Make sure your references are up-to-date
and relevant.
 For example, tell your references
that you are interviewing and are
using them for reference. You don’t
want them to receive a ‘surprise’call
and get caught off-guard.
Do Not Forget to Contact
Your References

21. 6. Thou Shall Not Lie or
Give Phony Answers

22. Do not lie about:
your Education,
Qualifications or Experience.
It can come back to haunt you!

23. • Qualifications: Be honest about your
qualifications. You are better off not getting
the job than to get terminated later.
• Experience: If you do not have the required
experience, don’t make up roles and details. A
quick reference check call can throw you right
under the bus.
• Education: Be open and honest about your
education. If you are planning to pursue
additional education, let the interviewer know.

24. What is Your Job Title?
 Even though you may
have a little wiggle-room
here, still be honest.
 You can further explain
your duties because job
titles do not always reflect
what you do.

25. Fired or Resigned?
If you were fired from your last job,
be honest about the reason if asked.
Then try to change the conversation and
focus on your future by saying you are
“looking for a new challenge.”

26. 7. Thou Shall Not Bring Parents
to the Interview

27. Get advice from your parents.
But DO NOT bring them
to your job interview.

28. Bringing parents may
show a lack of confidence
and independence and you
won’t be taken seriously.
 Hiring Managers might back off from
interviewing candidates because they don't
want parents at the interview.
 Employers want to hire YOU for the job
… not your parents.

29. 8. Thou shall not discuss money,
benefits, or time off.

30. Do Not Ask:
“How much does the job pay?“
 That is the #1 question NOT to ask. You
don’t want money to seem like a big
issue for you or for it to look like money
is more important than the job.
 Asking about money could make the
hiring manager think that you only care
about money and not the job.

31.  You may not get an offer if you ask
about salary during the interview.
Discuss salary after you get the offer.
 Only discuss salary if you are asked.
Usually the salary question will not be
discussed during the interview.

32.  Asking about benefits is the same as asking
about salary: it may sound as though you
care more about benefits and less about the
job.
 Occasionally, the hiring manager will tell you
about company benefits and perks. If
benefits aren’t brought up, wait to ask about
them AFTER you’re offered the job.

33. When will I get a raise?
How many paid vacation days would I get?
When would I be eligible to take vacation?
How many personal &/or sick days will I get?
Do you have a Tuition Assistance Plan for
additional education or an advanced degree?
What medical benefits do you offer?

34. about former employers,
coworkers, or colleagues
9. Thou shall not say anything negative

35. NEVER say anything negative about a
former employer, former co-workers,
anything from the previous job, or former
job-related projects.
 If you don't have anything nice to say,
don't say anything at all.

37. 10. Thou shall not use ffensive
or Foul language

38.  It is totally unacceptable to swear during a
job interview or any time in the work place.
 During an interview, you should never use
foul or offensive language, even if the
interviewer does.
 You should never, ever curse in a job
interview, no matter how comfortable you
are with the interviewer or how long you
have known the person.

39.  Cursing makes you come across as
unprofessional and uneducated.
 Using foul language can stop your
chances quickly of getting a job offer.
 No one will offer you a job if you use
offensive language during the interview
because the manager will be skeptical
about working with you.

40. Thank You
Harris
Training
and
Development
harristad@verizon.net
Judy Harris