A Peak Behind the Scenes During the Interview Selection Process

A recent article shared with The Office of Career Services, highlighted some of the reasons employers decided not to push applicants further along the interview process.  Items that led to applicants resumes ending up in the trash included pictures on resumes, misspellings and grammar issues, inappropriate email addresses and being too casual during the interview process.   Many of the items that made the top 30 are those that an applicant can control.  To be best prepared for your interview, check out the many resources Career Services offers both on their website as well as in person to put yourself in a position to be successful.   Click on the link for more information http://www.ut.edu/career/jobsearchtoolbox/ .   In addition, a few of the issues that made the top 30 list can be found below.   Best of luck and happy interviewing.

Thought Catalog by Derek Marshall

16. the_no_name_man

One of my friends had to conduct telephone rounds for a position. It was technical and the person’s answering style was like he reads it from a text book. That person couldn’t get answers to any of situation based questions too. So finally my friend asked him to explain subnetting after opening Wikipedia. His answer was the first 2 lines from Wikipedia. Then my friend asked him to explain a little bit in detail. Then comes the next 2 lines from Wikipedia.

19. r7ndom

Inconsequential: The filename of the resume.
When you upload your resume to most systems, they do not rename the document – if it was called “Mama Peppers first draft.docx” that is exactly what the hiring manager will see first – because they must click on it to open it. Another common one is “resume.doc”,which means when I download 30 resumes all at once, guess what I’ve got? A directory full of “resume 1.doc” “resume 2.doc” etc. – every one of those applicants lose a bit in my book when I am forced to rename their resume so I can easily find them later.
Also, always upload in .doc/.docx or PDF. Preferably PDF since it is the only one (almost) guaranteed to come out properly on the other side – doc/docx can lose formatting, especially if you used odd fonts or other such things.

26. TinCupChallace

Said his drivers license was suspended …I watched him drive away after the interview.

27. TheDaggle

Pro tip: be courteous and professional with EVERYONE in or around the building.

My girlfriend used to be an “office specialist” who greeted and seated every applicant before their interview. Part of her duties were to evaluate applicants’ appearance and behavior and report to the manager/interviewer.

The interviews were almost a formality. Your fate was pretty much decided by the notes she jotted on your paperwork while you waited to be called in.