Interview Stories

All HR pros have seen job candidates do dumb things. But these interview bloopers are just unbelievable.
Staffing firm OfficeTeam recently asked recruiters and hiring managers about the strangest things they’ve seen interviewees do.
Our personal favorite was the guy who performed well in the interview — but on his way out, he walked right through a glass door, shattering it.
Some of the other highlights:
One candidate took a personal approach and repeatedly addressed the interviewer by first name — too bad it was the wrong one.
Another realized halfway through the interview he was applying for the wrong position. He unsuccessfully tried to convince the company he was right for that job, too.
One particularly dedicated candidate was told he didn’t get the job — and then showed up to work the next day.
What strange behavior have you encountered? Let us know by leaving a comment below.
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37 Responses to “Candidate leaves interview — right through a glass door”
Cindy Says: July 24th, 2009 at 8:08 am
One I will NEVER forget is an applicant for a senior level IT job. He constantly was putting his little finger in one ear or the other, looking at it and then flicking or rubbing what was there onto the chair! It was such an unconsious gesture on his part but so distracting because it was all throughout the 30 minute interview. I was worried he was going to go fishing elsewhere before the interview was over. Luckily, his credentials were not as impressive as he had mad them sound through a background check. I wasn’t sure if he had OCD and if it would have been covered by ADA!
Kay Says: July 24th, 2009 at 8:40 am
1st place - I had a cnadidate show up for an interview drunk and was very upset when we told them we would not doing the interview due to thier impared state. Thier reply “Um ok I can come back tomorrow when I am “more soberer”. We respectfully declined.
2nd place - I asked an accounting/data entry clerk if they had 10-key by touch the response - with arm movement “oh no you didn’t”. I further explained that it was required due to the nature of the job, the response “I don’t know what type a place this is but I ain’t touching nobody”.
And folks think HR is boring….
Cindy Says: July 24th, 2009 at 8:58 am
Kay - love the accounting clerk one!!!!!!!! hilarious!
coriHR Says: July 24th, 2009 at 8:58 am
Cindy that has got to be the funniest yet grossest thing I’ve heard as far as interviews go. Too bad you didn’t have any QTips to offer him. I don’t think I could have made it through without getting sick. It does sound similar to a Turets type thing, at least with a manager I had who had Turets. He used to just yell at people and had weird actions while doing it over the smallest issues and used to always make one girl cry. Needless to say that guy stressed me out with all the yelling he did (he never yelled at me though) so I left..Oh did I mention the President of the company drooled when speaking?
RRS Says: July 24th, 2009 at 9:04 am
Funny Kay, can someone top this one….
I actually had a telephone interview for a high school student Intern position. The candidate stated that she just graduated from high school so I asked her how well did you do and what was your grade point average. She stated “I don’t know, I just took my diploma and put it on the wall”, I did not bother to open my report card. I then asked her “Have you ever had a clerical position before”? She stated “what, I repeated clerical…she said what, I spelled the word clerical and then she said “what’s that?”. I told her that I would let her figure that out and I ended the conversation quickly and as professional as possible. I have no idea if anyone ever hired her but for sure we did not.
Cindy Says: July 24th, 2009 at 9:19 am
Cori-I grew up with 5 brothers. Very little grosses me out to the point of extreme reaction. This interview was maybe 10 years ago and I still remember it the vividly!
Another incident I had was remember when nearly transparent clothing was all the rage to the point you could see a bra quite clearly? I had one very endowed applicant show up for an interview she was very articulate, was looking very nice, make up, demure skirt, heels, clothes fit well. She had one of those blouses on………..minus the bra.
Felecia Says: July 24th, 2009 at 9:23 am
I had a candidate that was having a bad hair day. When the interview was over and she left the room, one of her weave tracks had fallen on the floor. Her her was long on the sides but there was one area in the back of her head where there was barely any hair. It was a pretty akward situation.
Mike Says: July 24th, 2009 at 9:36 am
The sans bra one has happened to me a few times. Not to mention applicants dressing like they were about to head to a night club, or had just returned from one.
One of the funniest I encountered was a gentleman who came into the lobby and told the receptionist that his father was the local fire chief and it had been arranged for him to start work. HR had never heard of this guy. We decided to interview him. He sat sideways in his chair and never looked at us across the table. He said the 10% of 400 was about 90 or so, then he said “I’m not great with that kind of math, but I can read a tape (tape measure). We pulled one out of our little box we use for mechanic interviews, he couldn’t tell us where the inch and 7/8″ mark was. At the end of the interview, he reminded us that his father was a fire chief and had 2 degrees, so obviously since he was his son he was no dummy. He re-applied 3 months later.
PS Says: July 24th, 2009 at 9:36 am
We are a very professional office (financial services) and I’ve had more than one employee show up with children in tow. One such employee got mad at us because we suggested rescheduling her interview for another time when she could arrange a sitter. Her response, “I don’t have anyone to watch her during the day”. Seriously???? Then how was she planning on working? We passed.
Angie Says: July 24th, 2009 at 9:57 am
A number of years ago I was toward the end of 2 weeks of recruiting for a new manufacturing facility my employer was opening. I had been administering 2 different pre-employment tests, alternating every half hour, for most of that time. As anyone who does multiple presentations in a short time knows, it becomes difficult to remember whether you said something to this group of if that was the prior group. I either stumbled over words or repeated myself in giving directions for a test. One applicant looked up and asked, “Did you have a brain tumor for breakfast?” I brushed it off, got the test started, and promptly found the person who had interviewed her to make sure she wasn’t hired. Not surprisingly, the interviewer had already decided not to hire her, but this sealed her fate.
Kellie Says: July 24th, 2009 at 10:21 am
Funny stuff! Here’s my craziest interviews: One candidate, when asked why she wanted to leave her current position replied, “Just between you and me, my boss is a member of the Brazilian mafia.” If that’s true, I don’t think I’d be repeating it, and if it’s not, why say something so like that? One candidate for an administrative assistant position fell asleep in the reception area and was snoring loudly. Another candidate for an accounts payable position cursed at me 3 times during the interivew. The resume of the year goes to the candidate applying for a proofreader position, and in her cover letter she said, “I am interested in applying for the Proffreader opening.” If you can’t spell proofreader, then it’s probably not the right job for you!
HRDirector Says: July 24th, 2009 at 10:57 am
1 - I had one interviewee show up to interview for a clerical position in our outside sales department in bedroom slippers and what was clearly a pajama top. Her hair was uncombed and she looked as though she’d just rolled out of bed. She didn’t apologize for how she looked, so she may have been perfectly comfortable with it!
2 - The best one was an applicant for a fairly high level manager position. This candidate came in, could not sit still, and beside digging in his ear like Cindy mentioned, he constantly blew his nose into a hanky, and then checked it out. He also constantly adjusted various areas on his body throughout - very disconcerting! Seemed like a harrassment charge looking for a place to happen…
Nomi Says: July 24th, 2009 at 11:14 am
I’ve had several adult women show up for interviews with the kids. Screaming, unhappy kids who disrupt the office so badly I have to ask them to leave. I’ve also had several show up with their grandmothers, mothers, etc. We’re talking 35 to 40 year old women bring their family to an interview. You would think they would be experienced enough to know better.
The grandmothers are the worst. They want to be involved in the interview and they have had a tendency to chew me out when I don’t hire their granddaughters. I have a feeling they are desperately trying to get these women and children out of their houses by making them get a job.
This is an employee with drama that I don’t need.
Ann Says: July 24th, 2009 at 11:27 am
My favorite interviewee was about 15 years ago, the candidate was a man in his mid-50s. After a few minutes of small talk I asked him to tell me why type of office environment and management style he preferred and why. I can’t fully tell you his full response based on the numerous repeated racial/ethic slurs, but here is hte edited version: “I like an office where people are comfortable, I hate this PC cr**. I miss the days when you could make fun of b(slur for women), n(slur for African Americans), c(slur for Asian), s(slur for Latino), c(slur for middle Eastern), and f(slur for gay).” I thanked him for his time and explained to him that we were a diverse organization and that we do not tolerate language like that. He became indignant and told me I was missing out on a great opportunity to hire someone like him. A great opportunity for what?? A lawsuit?? The kicker- I got a call from the Dept of Labor a few weeks later, he tried to claim that I was practicing age discrimination. I repeated verbatim (no edits) what he had said during the interview. Needless to say, his age discrimination claim didn’t go any further.
GBERGR Says: July 24th, 2009 at 11:31 am
We once had a lobby full of applicants for a customer service representative position. Their appearance ran the gammut from hobo to hooker. One female applicant wore cut-offs and a t-shirt. The t-shirt had a hole in conspicuous area, and the lady wasn’t wearing a bra!! Another female applicant wore a red chiffon cocktail dress complete with rhinestone-studded spaghetti straps. Wow!
Cynthia Says: July 24th, 2009 at 11:32 am
My all time favorite is when an applicant was walking on the entrance to our building. He passed my window that had mirror reflective coating on the floor to ceiling windows - he could not see in and see me but I could see out and see him. As he passed my office he started looking at himself to see if he looked ok for the interview. He even checked out and adjusted his personal equipment (if you get my drift).
I did not know the person I saw was my candidate until I met him in the lobby and I had to keep a straight face during the entire interview.
Pat Says: July 24th, 2009 at 12:01 pm
OMG!! Thank you all for sharing your experiences! I was in tears (laughter) reading them all. Can’t say I have any story that will top any of them. However, I have had several candidates show up, inappropriately dressed for an interview either in very casual (t-shirt style and/or very revealing blouses/dresses). Once had two candidates (they were friends & applying for the same position) show up in sweat pants & shirt …. the position was for a Sales Assistant!! Thanks again, All!
Kathy Boyle Says: July 24th, 2009 at 12:11 pm
A few years ago I was interviewing for a position in our purchasing department. The male interviewee had written on his resume that he was a mime. During the interview his facial expressions ranging from toothy grins to exagerated frowns had me coughing and crying trying not to laugh, I could barely look him in the face trying not to laugh. It was the longest interview I have ever suffered through. At one point I thought it was a joke management was playing on me.
lwn Says: July 24th, 2009 at 1:06 pm
I had an in-person interview scheduled with a male candidate whom I had interviewed over the phone. The HR rep informed me that my candidate Amanda had arrived for her interview. I told her that I didn’t have an interview with an Amanda that it was with Matthew. The HR rep looked at me and nodded her head indicating she knew that and said this is your candidate. I went out and met a person who was quite apparently a guy who was dressed in drag. She never said anything about interviewing over the phone as Matthew and it was really hard to conduct the interview because the appearance was so distracting. I don’t know if this was a case of schizophrenia, just a gender issue or if she was in the process of changing her gender. Definitely a strange experience I will never forget!
Jill Says: July 24th, 2009 at 3:33 pm
I have an application from a guy who was applying for a Teller/Maintenance position. We didn’t have any openings for a Teller/Maintenance position at the time but we let him fill out an application anyway and this is what he wrote:
Employment HistoryFor the prior 3 months, he had been working at a local bowling alley as a “Pin Setter Mechanic”. His “Reason for Leaving” says “Wrongful Firing”. On the “May we contact this employer?” question, the guy checked “No”.
Now during that same 3 months, he also worked at a local Parts store, where he was a Delivery Driver. Reason for Leaving? He put “Fired, Question Motives”. He also checked “No”, we could not contact that employer either.
EducationHe received a 2 yr degree in Automotive Maintenance Repair at a Vo-Tech.He also received his 2 year degree in Nursing at a local college. He obviously was a man of many talents.
ReferencesThe first one listed both a first and last name.The second one had the initials “BJ”The third one said “Jeff M”He didn’t know any of their addresses but they all had the same phone number.And the frosting on the cake can be found on the back page. The question is “Have you ever been convicted of a felony or any offense including acts of dishonesty or breach of trust such as shoplifting?”Answer: “Possible, but not confirmed it so please let me know”
Please let him know what? Please let him know if he has been convicted of a felony or please let him know if we want to hire him? I was stumped
Joyce Says: July 25th, 2009 at 10:58 am
I will never forget the applicant I interviewed for a heavy truck driving position. It didn’t bother me that he showed up dressed in a wife beater t-shirt, it was the pot leaf earing in his ear that said DO NOT HIRE ME for a safety sensitive position.
Essie Says: July 25th, 2009 at 2:45 pm
A woman sloppily dressed in old jeans and a baggy T walked in the front door, talking on her cell. She stopped only long enough to look at me and say “Job Application”. I waited until she looked at me again, still talking, and pointed the building across from us, saying “Next door.” Before she could get there, I called over and said “Don’t hire the one walking in the door right now.”
Darla Says: July 27th, 2009 at 9:09 am
I once interviewed an obviously very angry man. Not only had he practically shaved his nose off that morning before coming in, leaving a big sore on it, but his fly was down and as he continually, casually rocked back and forth in the chair during the interview, his fly was opening and closing with the rocking motion as though his voice was coming out of his pants…needless to say, the angry attitude alone eliminating him from the choices.
KathyC Says: July 27th, 2009 at 11:14 am
Love these stories!
Howard L Says: July 28th, 2009 at 5:21 pm
I was taking applications for a “reciever” at our recycling scales. We do background checks. On one of the consent forms it asks “are there any other names you have gone by?” I’m guessing so we can search maiden names as well…
Anyway, one guy put “Crimeboy” the other name he went by!! We got a roaring laugh reviewing that application…
Angel M Says: July 28th, 2009 at 6:10 pm
I showed up to work one morning and my fisrt candidate to interview was passed out in front of the main door. He was out celebrating that he had gotten an interview.When i questioned the security guard why he left him there, he told me that he was here to see me so he let him sleep it off.So the guy was not interviewed and our security guard was terminated for not performing his job to our satisfaction.
Another HR Manager Says: July 28th, 2009 at 6:37 pm
I was holding interviews for a tutoring center position working with children. One resume I received had a gap in employment. When I asked the candidate about it, she said she, “took time off to have a boob job.” She also shared that this was a job-related activity, as it related to her hobby as an amateur porn star.
Really, you think I am going to let you work with my students? What would you say to them?
Debi Says: July 28th, 2009 at 7:11 pm
We recently had a guy come to our office to fill out an application - and he was already wearing one of our logo-shirts! Talk about coming in with confidence. Evidently his brother had worked for us about 10 years earlier - still had our shirt.
HRP Says: July 29th, 2009 at 6:44 am
Of all my years in HR, probably the funniest experience was when we were accepting handwritten applications. We had an entry level job and we received an application from a Neopolitan Elff. In the box labeled “Sex” he had written, once or twice a week! True story.
Jim Rittgers, SPHR Says: July 29th, 2009 at 7:33 am
HRP –
“In the box labeled Sex” ????? Was that 40 years ago when some applications asked that question?
HRP Says: July 29th, 2009 at 7:49 am
Dear Jim Rittgers, SPHR……You are close…..39 years ago, I was a co-op in HR. Believe it or not, I was turned down for a job because my skirt was too short! I have stories that would probably curl your hair…….
stacy Says: July 29th, 2009 at 8:12 am
I am new to the HR world as I just graduated from college a little over a year ago. I never dreamed that half of the examples my professors used in school would really happened! I woke up from that dream a little over a year ago when I received my HR recruiting position with my current company. I can not believe the way people represent themselves in resumes, cover letters, and in interviews. It’s UNBELIEVEABLE!!
My most recent resume came from a person who was recommended from an internal employee. I don’t know if this applicant just assumed they would receive the job because they knew someone within the company? It really bothers me when people want to get a job so bad that they don’t put any time and effort into our company. With the economy the way it is, people should be particularly careful as there are NUMEROUS applicants applying.
In this applicants cover letter they mention several highlighted skills. One of the skills was “attention to detail”. The person even went on to describe how this skill is a good representation of them and how it is extremely beneficial. In the VERY next sentence, the person says, “I look forward to the possibility of joining your close knit team at - - - - (insert a company name here that is NOT our company!)” I could not believe it. How can you list attention to detail as a top skill and then have that as your next sentence?
This applicant also gave us a good laugh by mentioning an award received in college for perfect attendance. Okay, maybe that would tell us that they will be dependable at work, but our attention was quickly taken away from the intended purpose when the applicant mentioned the class in which it was awarded, “Human Sexuality”. I’m sorry, but we were no longer thinking about their dedication to their school work, but rather the interest in the particular topic of discussion!
Thanks for all the great laughs this morning! =)
HR Mgr Says: July 29th, 2009 at 8:21 am
Several years ago I worked for a company as a recruiter hiring oilfield workers. Our application included the question “Have you ever been convicted of a felony?” One classic applicant wrote, “No, but I did have one Mister Meaner”. I have kept a copy of that application in my humor file ever since…
Cheryl Says: July 29th, 2009 at 10:35 am
About twice a year I get a resume from a gentleman who encloses lengthy explanations for why he left each prior employer. It reads like a soap opera. He left his first employer because they were discriminating against him. He got an attorney to represent him and it’s still an open case. He was fired from his second job because he spent too much time on the phone with his attorney discussing the lawsuit from his first job. He currently has a restraining order against him from our state senator because he called his office so many times to complain about his second job that a restraining order was placed on him by the senator’s office. (His second employer was apparently also harassing him because his new supervisor was friends with the supervisor from his first job so they were obviously out to get him.) I mean there are 3 pages of explanations that involve lawsuits, complaints to the EEOC, DOL and the state capital! Does this guy actually think someone is going to bring him in based on this resume?? His last cover letter also stated in big letters that he DOES NOT NEED INSURANCE unless he gets hurt at work then he would expect the employer to pay for it.
Unbelievable.
Mary D. Says: July 29th, 2009 at 11:49 am
While escorting an applicant to my office for an interview, the applicant answered his ringing cell phone while exiting the elevator. He held up one finger to indicate “wait a minute” and ducked around a corner and proceeded a short distance down a hallway in the opposite direction from the way we were headed. I continued on to my office and shut the door. I don’t know what happened to the applicant. But, since he didn’t attend the interview and never called again, I think he got the message.
A little off the subject is my most memorable…an individual’s attempt to get a job interview. Our receptionist tells most individuals to send their resume that I don’t take walk-in appointments. So, one day our receptionist calls telling me that I have a surprise waiting for me in the lobby. After questioning if it was flowers, a gift or something similar she said no it was someone from my past who wanted to surprise me. Again after much questioning she told me he was very good looking, wanted to surprise me and to please come to the lobby. Upon entering the lobby, I saw two seated gentlemen. I approached the receptionist and asked her where is my surprise as I looked around the lobby. She giggled and pointed to one of the seated gentlemen. As I approached the gentleman I introduced myself and asked if I could help him. I heard our receptionist in the background gasp and say oh no. Then the gentleman introduced himself stating that he was looking for a job. My response was, “So, you claim to be someone from my past.” He immediately responded, “No, but I would like to be someone in your future.” As I walked away, I told him it was obvious that we don’t have a past, but it was even more obvious that we don’t have a future. Then I called our receptionist and told her to call her relief because I wanted to see her in my office immediately. No, she wasn’t in trouble, we just had a really good laugh over some people have all the nerve.
Janet Whitaker Says: July 29th, 2009 at 11:50 am
About 16 years ago, a young man came in for an interview carrying a very large convenience store soft drink. When he sat down, he said, “Sorry about the drink, but the Prozac makes me very thirsty.” Yeah, that’s just what I wanted to hear…
HRD Says: July 29th, 2009 at 3:42 pm
About 5 years ago I was interviewing candidates for an internal training position. The incumbent would present training sessions to all employees from VP-level to blue-collar, union workers. I was looking for someone with confidence and poise along with our other pre-reqs to fill the position. I couldn’t afford someone whose feathers were easily ruffled. A woman came in for the interview. Her resume looked perfect for the role.
She got stuck in the turnstile going through security. She tripped over her own feet walking to my office. She heard a noise, turned quickly and her glasses fell off. Then, during the interview, she laughed so hard at one point that mucus came flying out of her nose and onto my conference table. She wiped it up with her hand and then on her pants.
I couldn’t get out of that interview fast enough.

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