We love a good (bad) interview story over at Coburg Banks. Not in a horrible way… I mean we’ve all been there haven’t we?
(I once choked on my cup of tea mid-interview and spat EVERYWHERE).
So this week, I’ve been collecting some new (and hilarious) interview stories just for you!
If you, like me, have any interview regrets, these should make you feel better – you’re not alone.
1. Frozen
This is my absolute favourite!
“I had a video interview for a very large company. The computer would ask a question and record your answer to send to management. You had 30 seconds, no more no less, to answer the question. For one question, I ran out of things to talk about so I decided to stand really still and not blink for 15 seconds to make it look like the video froze...”
Can you imagine?
Source: Buzzfeed
2. Underdressed
You’d be surprised how many people have accidentally done this! Just wear clothes people.
"I had a video interview with a tech company. So naturally, I only put a shirt and a tie on, comfortably sitting in my boxer briefs in my living room. Half way through the interview, they gave me some tasks to do, so I had to go and get a piece of paper and a pen. I got up, walked all the way to the other side of my room, came back, and sat down at the computer. Only after I finished talking to them I realised they'd seen everything."
Source: Hexjam
3. Overexcited
We all get a little bit overexcited (nervous) during interviews – but keep it together!
"The guy that was interviewing me sat down and said to me, 'I usually give this job to people who are the most enthusiastic about the position.' And to that I said, God knows why, 'Well, I could start jumping up and down right now if you want...'"
Source: Hexjam
4. What a Spud
Well, if it works, it works I guess.
“I once panicked after getting a call back while cooking and ran outside away from my barking dogs with only the phone, a knife, and a potato where I accidentally locked myself out and told the employer... "sorry, sorry, hold on I'm writing the number on a potato". In the next interview, I accidentally said the f word. Still got the job.”
Source: Buzzfeed
5. Camel Toe Woe
This must’ve really given the interviewer the hump.
“During an interview they said they were going to do word association. It’s where they say a word and you say the first thing that comes to your mind. For example… They said fruit, I said apple. They said transportation, I said car. Everything was going rather well until they said camel and instantly… Toe was my response. Yes… I said Camel Toe in the interview. Then tried to correct myself and say hump quickly. One of the men was trying not to laugh but the other didn’t find it entertaining. I, however, thought it was hysterical and started laughing. I excused myself and left the interview. Let’s just say, I never received a call back but took a great story away with me.”
Source: Social Talent
6. This is the end
I’m not going to lie, I’d probably (definitely) hire this person…
“The (nearly hour long torture) interview was awkward enough… But when I was walking out, I forgot how heavy the door leading into the room was. I go to open it, and I basically shut the door on half of my body. So, I’m halfway inside the room and halfway in the hallway. My gut reaction was to scream, “OH GOD! THIS IS THE END!””
Source: Social Talent
7. Toilet Humour
Probably best NOT to mention your toilet habits.
“I used the bathroom and came back and said, "Now you have to hire me; I just marked my territory."
Source: Buzzfeed
8. You had one job
Oh the shame...
“Years ago, I was in from out of town to interview with a nonprofit in a city to which my husband and I hoped to relocate... I was inside the office, talking with the executive director, when my husband popped up in the window, furiously waving his hands. Turns out he had locked our toddler son in the rental car we were using to tour town.”
Source: Monster
9. Liar, liar
Honesty is usually the best policy...
“I was interviewing with a relatively young tech startup, most of the execs around 30, that sort of thing. So we're laughing and joking and having a good time. Then the one guy in the office over 40 comes in, and they tell me he's probably who I'd be working directly under, so he's going to do a short interview now. The first question was something like, "Would your friends say you're a hard worker?" Still in the jocular mood, I reply, "Let's be honest... I would say yes to that even if it wasn't true." His jaw drops. "Are you saying you would lie to me?" I searched desperately for a sign he was just messing with me, but no, he was seriously offended. I didn't get the job.”
Source: Bustle
10. Bet they were “alarmed”…
Will teach them for using the disabled toilet though...
“Went to the loo in the disabled toilet. Pulled the string thinking it was the flush rather than the alarm. Every employee arrived to help me. Worst day of my life.”
Source: Daily Mail
11. Auto-correct – man’s worst friend
We've all done it. But possibly not quite as spectacularly as this poor interviewee.
“I had just finished interviewing with a company for a nonprofit job that I really wanted. I decided to be super-proactive and email the executive director a few hours after my interview. I was out and about, so I emailed her from my iPhone. While I thought I wrote “I can hardly contain my excitement about the possibility of working with your organisation,” auto-correct changed “excitement” to “excrement.” It was far and away the worst auto-correct disaster I have ever had. I immediately called the executive director back to apologise profusely. She was laughing so hard on the other end that I knew my auto-correct nightmare wouldn’t hijack all of my chances for getting the job.”
Source: The Muse
We’ve all been there
Most of us will have had experienced some kind of embarrassing moment in an interview.
Perhaps you’ve said something silly? Or had an awful wardrobe malfunction? Maybe you just froze.
It’s ok though because you are not alone.
If you’d like to read more, funny interview stories, check these articles out:
- The 50 Funniest Things People Have Said In Interviews
- 50 Weird Questions Candidates Have Asked Interviewers
- 50 (More) Odd Things Candidates Have Said to Interviewers
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