Hey there, job hunters! So, you’re prepped with a killer resume and ready to crush your interview, but hold up! There are some wild interview mistakes that recruiters see way too often, especially with Gen Z applicants. We caught up with Emily Levine, a recruiting pro with over 10 years of experience, and let’s just say, some of the things she’s seen are next-level cringe.
Interviewing from Your Bed? Big No-No
Levine shared a story about her colleague interviewing someone for a personal assistant role. Imagine this: the candidate is explaining how hard it is to find a job, all while sprawled out in bed! Not only is this unprofessional, but it also paints a picture of someone who might be, well, a little lazy. #NotTheLook
Levine’s Top Tip: When interviewing virtually, find a clean, professional background. A desk or kitchen table works! Bonus points for a smile and good eye contact – gotta show that interview fire!
The Case of the Mysterious Missing Pants
Levine also dropped some major truth bombs about interview attire. Some candidates haven’t gotten the memo on dressing professionally. One applicant showed up to a Zoom call in a bathrobe – yikes! This screams bad judgment, and recruiters might wonder if you’d bring the same energy to the actual job.
Levine’s Top Tip: Dress for the job you want, not the job you have. Research the company culture and dress accordingly. J.Crew, Zara, and Ann Taylor are all safe bets for a professional look. But seriously, pants are a must!
The Accidental Mooning Incident
We’ve saved the best (or worst?) for last. Levine interviewed a candidate for an HR role who was rocking a super professional top… but forgot to check what was happening below the frame. Turns out, the candidate was unintentionally mooning everyone on the call thanks to a full-length mirror in the background. Major awkward alert!
Levine’s Top Tip: Double, and triple-check your entire background before a virtual interview. Avoid anything embarrassing and keep it professional.
The bottom line is, that first impressions matter. Show the recruiter you take the interview seriously and put in the effort to look and act the part. By following these tips, you’ll avoid interview mistakes and land that dream job!
