What were they thinking?

As recruiters we often give advice to candidates on topics such as how to write resumes, how to act at career fairs, what to say in an interview, what not to wear to an interview, etc......

I often wonder if candidates are listening or if they think that we are the ones that should be taking advice from them. Ive heard some bizarre things in interviews over the years and seen some bizarre things on resumes.

I've had candidates do some very bizarre things in interviews. I've been propositioned, offered money, been flashed, been threatened.........well, you get the picture.

I ran across an old article today that had some of the very bizarre things that candidates have done in interviews and I thought maybe it was about time for a refresher (and a few laughs).

This is not all of them, just some of the best. So, enjoy a few laughs before the weekend and remember, these were written by hiring managers and recruiters so, chances are they were not impressed by these (just in case you were thinking of using any of them).

1. "... said he was so well-qualified that if he didn't get the job, it would prove that the company's management was incompetent."
2. "... stretched out on the floor to fill out the job application."
3. "... brought her large dog to the interview."
4. "... chewed bubble gum and constantly blew bubbles."

5. "She wore a Walkman and said she could listen to me and the music at the same time."
6. "Balding candidate abruptly excused himself. Returned to office a few minutes later, wearing a hairpiece."
7. "Applicant challenged interviewer to arm wrestle."
8. "... asked to see interviewer's resume to see if the personnel executive was qualified to judge the candidate."
9. "... announced she hadn't had lunch and proceeded to eat a hamburger and french fries in the interviewer's office."

10. "Stated that, if he were hired, he would demonstrate his loyalty by having the corporate logo tattooed on his forearm."
11. "Interrupted to phone his therapist for advice on answering specific interview questions."
12. "... wouldn't get out of the chair until I would hire him. I had to call the police."
13. "When I asked him about his hobbies, he stood up and started tap dancing around my office."
14. "... had a little pinball game and challenged me to play with him."
15. "... bounced up and down on my carpet and told me I must be highly thought of by the company because I was given such a thick carpet."
16. "At the end of the interview, while I stood there dumbstruck, went through my purse, took out a brush, brushed his hair, and left."
17. "... pulled out a Polaroid camera and snapped a flash picture of me. Said he collected photos of everyone who interviewed him."

18. "He took off his right shoe and sock, removed a medicated foot powder and dusted it on the foot and in the shoe. While he was putting back the shoe and sock, he mentioned that he had to use the powder four times a day, and this was the time."

19. "... she threw-up on my desk, and immediately started asking questions about the job, like nothing had happened."

20. "A telephone call came in for the job applicant. It was from his wife. His side of the conversation went like this: "Which company? When do I start? What's the salary?" I said, "I assume you're not interested in conducting the interview any further." He promptly responded, "I am as long as you'll pay me more." "I didn't hire him, but later found out there was no other job offer. It was a scam to get a higher offer."

So, there is lot's of competition out there for that next job. Be on the lookout for these candidates when you are going to your next interview and make sure you eat your hamburger and french fries before the interview, or at least bring some for me...................