NO SECOND CHANCE FOR FIRST IMPRESSIONS: Survey Reveals Ill-Advised Job
Interview Tactics

MENLO PARK, Calif., Feb. 28 /PRNewswire/ -- While most job seekers
strive to make a positive impression when meeting with hiring
managers, a recent survey suggests others seem to go out of their way
to remove themselves from consideration. Executives were asked to
describe the most inappropriate comments candidates have made during
employment interviews. The responses ranged from the applicant who
declared she didn't want to work hard to the person who argued the job
requirements were wrong -- and then fell asleep.

The national survey includes responses from 150 senior executives --
including those from human resources, finance and marketing
departments -- with the nation's 1,000 largest companies. It was
conducted by an independent research firm and developed by
Accountemps, the world's first and largest specialized staffing
service for temporary accounting, finance and bookkeeping
professionals.

Executives were asked, "What is the most inappropriate thing a
candidate has said during a job interview?" Here are some of their
responses:

-- "One candidate cursed during the interview."

-- "An applicant stated that there was nothing I could tell him he didn't

already know; he said he knew everything about our business."

-- "A person argued that the requirements for hiring were wrong -- and

then fell asleep."

-- "One candidate was 25 minutes late for his interview and was upset with

me for being annoyed by his tardiness."

-- "The person invited me out for a drink after the interview."

"Job seekers should take a moment to compose their thoughts before
they speak and focus their comments on the specific knowledge and
experience they can bring to the position," said Max Messmer, chairman
of Accountemps and author of Managing Your Career For Dummies(R) (John
Wiley & Sons, Inc.). "Interviews provide an opportunity for employers
to become more acquainted with applicants. Hiring managers are looking
for candor, professionalism and a glimpse into the candidate's
personality." These applicants may have been too candid:

-- "The candidate told me that she didn't want to work hard."

-- "One prospect told me all of the reasons he shouldn't be hired."

-- "An individual applied for a customer service job, and when asked what

he might not like about the job, he said, 'dealing with people.'"

-- "The applicant told me he really was not interested in the position,

but he liked that we allowed for a lot of time off."

-- "The candidate said she would really prefer a job offer from our

competitor."

Accountemps has more than 330 offices throughout North America,
Europe, Australia and New Zealand, and offers online job search
services at www.accountemps.com. SOURCE Accountemps