Whenever candidates are interviewing for career-advancing pharmacy degree jobs or other positions, many are at least a bit nervous. As a result, the occasional stumble or misstep isn’t uncommon. While some of those moments are nothing more than a tad bit embarrassing, on occasion, they are full-blown interview blunders.

With a full-scale blunder, the damage may be minimal or significant, depending on what went wrong. Here are a few examples of interview blunders that are best avoided.

Bad-Mouthing

It isn’t uncommon for candidates to be searching for new opportunities because there is an issue with their current job. Most recruiters and hiring managers understand that happy professionals don’t usually leave great positions.

However, that doesn’t mean job seekers should consider questions about their past employment an invitation to bad mouth their employer or colleagues. Talking negatively about a manager, company, or coworker is always a red flag, especially if the candidate goes the extra mile.

When asked about why they were thinking about leaving a past job, a previously pleasant candidate’s mood shifted significantly. Along with openly questioning their manager’s competence, they also began openly insulting their manager as a person, using a range of colorful terminology and negative descriptors.

Arrogant

There is often a fine line between confidence and arrogance. While candidates should show that they believe in their capabilities, taking it too far isn’t going to resonate with recruiters or hiring managers.

During one interview, a candidate didn’t just cross the line; they leaped over it with glee. They frequently said that the company would be “stupid” for not choosing them because they were “in a word, awesome.”

As they responded to other questions, their tone tipped toward contempt. They began acting as if the questions were unnecessary and that doubting them was ridiculous.

At the end of the interview, they didn’t just thank the interviewer for their time. Instead, they began pressing for a start date and salary information as if they had been offered the job when that hadn’t actually occurred.

TMI

Many candidates struggle when it comes to determining how much personal information is too much. While a little tidbit about a favorite hobby may be a smart addition to your interview answer, some details are better left unshared.

One prime example came from a candidate who struggled with narcotics use. While discussing their time in treatment, they also shared details about their drug-related experiences. Additionally, they were incredibly open about their challenges with staying clean, admitting they weren’t sure they would be able to stay off of the drugs long-term.

Another candidate went into great detail about a medical condition. While being clear about any reasonable accommodations that may be necessary isn’t a bad idea, vividly describing the various side effects from medications, bodily functions, and other information was a bridge too far.

Ultimately, all of the situations above are serious interview blunders that, at a minimum, significantly hurt the candidate’s chances of getting the job. If you’re ever tempted to tread down those paths, fight the urge. In the end, those moves won’t work in your favor more often than not.

Land Your Next Big Career

If you’d like to learn more about how to interview successfully, be sure to visit our other blogs for advice.  When you are seeking out pharmacy degree jobs or other opportunities, the team at Alpha Consulting wants to hear from you. Contact us today.