Ever felt you made a major faux pas during an interview? Retold by real job candidates and employers around the globe, here are some stories you'll have a hard time beating:
- I was very prepared; researched the company, understood the job and the organisation and had rehearsed my presentation. I felt really quite confident. After exchanging introductions the receptionist handed me a note reading 'Your trousers are undone". David, UK
- My interviewer walked me out of the building, where I promptly got BOTH HEELS OF MY SHOES stuck in a pavement grating. So I'm standing there immobile, mumbling pleasantries while trying not to make it obvious that I can't move. After a few minutes that seemed interminable to me, standing there like an idiot, she finally said goodbye and I had to take off my shoes and jerk them out of the grating in my business suit. Catherine, Spain
- I parked my old, beaten up Mazda in the MD's parking spot and argued forcefully when he tooted his horn behind me asking to park somewhere else. He was the interviewer and I never even got an interview let alone a job. Edward, Malta
- Having had to stay overnight at a hotel to get to an early morning interview, I had my overnight things in my briefcase. At the end of the meeting when I got up to leave my briefcase opened and spilled everything - yesterday's boxers and socks, spare shirt, toiletries and half-eaten lunch - all over the floor. I was somewhat red-faced as I hastily crouched and shoved everything back in the case. I got the job, though. Dave, Canada
- As the interview drew to a close, I turned round to leave and found myself facing two identical doors, side by side. I lunged for the nearest and was halfway through before realising it was a cupboard... Joe, UK
- Before interviewing a chap for an accountancy post, we gave him a 45 minute computer spreadsheet test. When we went back after 45 minutes he was surfing the internet. He said he looked at the test for five minutes, didn't like all the figures and so decided to take advantage of some free surf time. Adrian, UK
