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These are some of the fastest ways people have failed a job interview - don't let it be you

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Illustration. Photo by Getty Images
Illustration. Photo by Getty Images
  • Going for a job interview can be nerve-wracking - so one must be mindful that the first impression made at an interview is good.
  • In some instances, the first impression ruins your chances of being considered for the job. 
  • On Quora, those who have experienced it first-hand shared their experiences of the fastest way they have seen someone fail at a job interview.


Quora users were asked: What's the fastest you've ever seen someone fail a job interview?

This is what they had to say:

Dan Walter says it was 0 seconds. Dan writes: 

Interviewee walks up to the building, early for their interview.

Interviewee stands on the sidewalk while quickly chewing a new piece of gum.

Spits gum out against the side of the building and walks into the lobby.

Is immediately led into the interviewer's office, who is still watching the spit-covered chunk of gum slide down the window of her office.

Interview over.

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Jemmy Bloocher says a young and educated male went for a graduate job and it did not end well.

Jemmy writes:

[He] walks in and doesn't even bother to shake my proffered hand; [he] says, "so, who will I be speaking to first? Tell me who do I need to impress".

Then, the candidate winked. No kidding. He winked. He clearly assumed I wouldn't be his boss. He'd be mine as I must be an assistant.

Me (young and educated female) withdraws hand, folds arms, says, "that would be me". He lost the job opportunity in approximately 10 seconds.

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Travis Grizzard says he was working as a security guard when a woman parked in the reserved parking spot. The person it was reserved for was behind her.

"[I] told the woman who parked there that it was her [the woman behind] spot. The first woman said that she was there for a job, and didn't have the time to traipse across the parking lot, that she was going to be the personal assistant to Alex [name], because she was going to blow him away at the interview."

The other woman handed the first woman her card, and said: "No, you won't, you didn't get the job, I'm Alexandria [name], so you might as well get back in your car and get out of my parking spot."

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Kaelan Kim says:

"I heard of a piece of spinach being stuck in someone's mouth being a game over as well. As well as someone who posted a photo of themselves holding a bag of weed as their profile photo on FB after being hired at a very prestigious company. They retracted their offer the day after and he was absolutely devastated. This is why people, seriously, bring a small pocket mirror and some toiletries to fix yourself up, in case an accident happens, and never ever eat or drink anything that smells strong beforehand or post anything that you wouldn't want your teachers or colleagues to see."

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Robert Williams says it ended very quickly for a young woman, who was dressed little too casually for an interview for administrative assistant position.

Robert writes:

"She gets seated and, before I can ask a question, her cellphone rings in her handbag. She opens the bag, picks up the cellphone and takes the call. She's chatting away for a few minutes on what is clearly a social call.

"She looks at me and sees that I'm not happy. She ends the call and puts the phone away."

Me: Do you have any other questions?

She: Uh, no.

Me: Well, then, thank you for coming in and visiting with us."

Sources: Quora 

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