Interview Criticism

[suitcase]

lol- thanks for the paper bag comment.

Kreee, to succum to such a base instinct in today's varied, multicultural and accepting society and shut your self off from people because they are different is idiocy. That's a bit like me saying I don't want a black person fixing my car because my immediate instinct is to think he is going to steal it. If I let myself act like that I really would be a fool.

It is wrong to judge people on immediate impressions- the interview process gives the opportunity to examine the candidate further- in theory negating that impression. To let yourself immediately veto a candidate because their appearance does not comply with your (not necessarily correct) outlook, does not mean you should not choose them. Of course the world is not at all perfect and so (as i have unfortunately experienced) first impression does count!

 

[Knubje]

It certainly does in business.

If you don't fit the mould; walk the walk and talk the talk. You won't get hired.

Next time, just shave you lazy bum!

P.S - Or see my original "paper bag" idea.

 

[Mr^B]

It's neither right nor wrong to judge by first impressions - it just happens and you deal with it as best you can - from BOTH sides.

So as an interviewer you have to try and push them aside sometimes, and as a candidate you have to take extra care not to do anything in the first 10 seconds which could be classed as making a "bad impression".

For me, as someone who regularly interviews people, here's my "Top 3" list of first impressions that I sometimes really struggle to deal with.

1. Voice - if it's a particularly strong accent and I have to ask them to repeat themselves for anything. If they are too quiet and I can't hear them properly - or too loud and I can feel my (remaining) hair streaking backwards at the force of their voice.

2. Appearance - unkempt in general doesn't score well, this includes (but is not limited to); shabby suit, top button undone, poor tie knot, unshaven, badly cut/scruffy hair (extravagant gel hair styles should be kept for the nightclub or for when you HAVE the job), scruffy/scuffed shoes, black trainers (eugh).

3. Physical - weak handshake/"bone-crushing alpha ovary-roundhousing" handshakes are off-putting. Sitting fiddling with things, sitting on hands, fiddling with pens/paper. Picking of nose (yup, had someone pick out a superb booger and deposit it on the underside of the table).

 

[Abraham]

just because you dont think it's right, doesn't mean it's not how it works, one of the women I used to work with, who did all the interviewing at the company for everything below managerial was a real stickler for appearance, in a joking way with me, about my shirt being ironed or about not being clean shaven, but she was much more serious when it came to interviewees, first thing she checked as they came in was their shoes, if they'd not got a clean/polished pair of shoes then they'd have a lot more difficulty, she said that she has turned people down on the basis of their shoes before as if they're not willing to make an effort for that short period of time then when will they.

It isn't about what looks good at all, especially to you, I much prefer myself with blue hair, but would never have got my current job with it, I also sport a beard permanently, but will always make it tidy at the very least if not lose it completely for an interview, if that's the difference between getting a fair shot at the job and getting overlooked because i didnt fancy a shave that morning then i'll do it I'm the one out to get a job, they've got plenty of people to choose from, you cant expect them to put a real effort into encouraging your strengths out of you, you have to take it all to them, you have to shine above the rest

 

[badbob]

if they'd not got a clean/polished pair of shoes then they'd have a lot more difficulty, she said that she has turned people down on the basis of their shoes before as if they're not willing to make an effort for that short period of time then when will they.

This is why women should stay at home. I'd bet she turns away people that are brilliant at the job, as if majority of men are vain, and those that are probably rubbish in the job.

 

[Heliospherez]

One of my mates who is the best artist I have ever seen was turned down at an Interview (for Marvel / now paninin) because he had long hair (which they stated should have either been tied up or cut)

Thing is, he really, really wanted the job and went absolutely mad when they used that as the main reason for him not getting the position (and after spending about 5 hours showing him round the Marvel building and introducing him to all the other illustrators who had long unkempt hair)

Needless to say - he cut it about 3 weeks later and got a job as a designer somewhere else where he lasted 4 months.

 

[Abraham]

This is why women should stay at home. I'd bet she turns away people that are brilliant at the job, as if majority of men are vain, and those that are probably rubbish in the job.

interesting take on it, she recruits estate agents, and while it only bolsters the stereotype, on the whole the better ones are the ones who put real effort into making a good impression

 

[Nitefly]

i guess they thought if he cant be bothered to shave for a interview whats his work ethos going to be like.

 

[Haggisman]

As has already been said several times, it's not strictly about your appearance, but more the fact that it shows "you can't be bothered" or you lack attention to detail. Sure it may not directly affect your ability to do the job, but if "you can't be bothered" to comment your code, or contact that customer, put through that order, or miss important details, then that does affect your job.

 

[badbob]

interesting take on it, she recruits estate agents, and while it only bolsters the stereotype, on the whole the better ones are the ones who put real effort into making a good impression

I was talking more about jobs like programmers and IT support. Usually look like just gotten out of bed. Depends on the job I guess, for retail/marketing/sales/PR then image is important.

 

[badbob]

but more the fact that it shows "you can't be bothered" or you lack attention to detail.

Absolute rubbish. Whether I turn up in a bin bag or a armani suit I'll do the same job.

 

[Abraham]

Absolute rubbish. Whether I turn up in a bin bag or a armani suit I'll do the same job.

But it's about making quick decisions based on as little as half an hour/an hour with someone. sure if they're a knock out candidate you might let it slide, but if it's not a great level across the board and you need someone, you'll choose the one who gives the best impression (presuming you have two people of equivalent merit for the job)

 

[Haggisman]

I'm not arguing that fact, but that's not the impression you give, in fact you're displaying your "can't be bothered" and lack of attention to detail here by not reading the post properly.

It's common knowledge that you're supposed to make an effort for an interview, (if you actually want the job). If you choose, knowing this, not to make an effort anyway, you're showing disdain for the interviewer and the job, it appears that you aren't taking it seriously, and to be honest, that you couldn't really care less about whether you got the job or not.

 

[wordy]

First impressions count.

If you like having a few days stuble then by all means have the stubble, but for an interview and 1st month or so in a new job go clean shaven, after all it;s no big deal. you can grow it back in a couple of days.

 

[Mr^B]

Absolute rubbish. Whether I turn up in a bin bag or a armani suit I'll do the same job.

So you would actually turn up for an interview in a bin-bag?

 

[loopstah]

Beard or no beard, there is no stubble.

Nothing wrong with facial hair as long as it looks like you're actually cultivating it and not like you just couldn't be ***** having a shave.

I got a job a couple of weeks ago even with my stupid beard, but it's pretty clear that it's a beard and not random stubble.

 

[Manlove is my forte]

Two people come to work on your car. The first turns up in a Mercedes van with a full set of Snap On Tools kitted out in the back of his van and he wears a bright white set of overalls, has a full set of wing mats and a laptop with all the diagnostics for your car and is £100 per hour. The second bloke turns up in an old Mk2 Escort van with a bald tyre and smoke coming out the back. He is wearing a ripped pair of tatty and oily overauls and his tools are thrown into a box in the back of his van. He has a Haynes manual for an older version of your car and says "they are all much the same, it'll be reet". He is also £100 per hour.

Which one would you prefer to work on your car?

NOTHING to do with their ability simply first impressions....

This reminds me of an old riddle/proverb/thingy

A guy moves into a new town and needs to decide get a new dentist. There are 2 dentists working in town.

The first one he goes to has an immaculate smile filled with shiny white teeth.

The second Dentist he visits has an appalling smile, his teeth are all pointing in different directions and look in terrible condition.

Which dentist does he choose?

 

[Haggisman]

Thats easy....

I would post the answer but i can't remember the colour code for the forum =/

Edit: Nvm, i found it

Spoiler:
The one with crap teeth is the good dentist... since it would be very hard to work on your own teeth, he has to go to the other dentist, who obviously sucks, giving him the bad teeth. He is the other guy's dentist, and is obviously good, as the other guy has perfect teeth

 

[ChrisJSY]

First impressions are a genetically built in human feature. To deny it's powerful influence is idiotic.

Genetic retardation to me.
We are starting to accept more and more, as the times change.
Not living in the dark ages, etc.

As always, there are limits.

 

[Glaucus]

It made you look scruffy, get over it.

Neat beards are neat, no hair is neat... in between doesn't look smart.

exactly and more importantly makes it look like you have put no effort into the interview.
So you haven't been declined because you had stubble. You where declined because it looked like you couldn't be bothered to even shave. So what else would you do if you actually had the job.