How to Annoy Hiring Managers

In today’s job market it is more important than ever to know the types of things that will annoy hiring managers so that you can avoid them at all costs. It’s hard enough to get your foot in the door at a company that you may be interested in let alone to give the kind of interview that sweeps the hiring manager off of their feet and the last thing you want to do is express a certain body language or mannerism that will annoy the heck out a hiring manager and have them counting the seconds down until you leave.

As far as what you need to say and how you need to say it, that is something you will have to perfect on your own, but if you want to annoy a hiring manager and almost ensure that you will not get the job here is what to do:

• Show up late: If you can’t be on time to an interview do you really think that the hiring manager is going to believe that you are going to show up on time for work? Always show up a few minutes early for an interview unless you want to get off on the immediate wrong foot with the hiring manager.
• Chew gum: If you really want to get on someone’s nerves march right into the interview and chew your gum like a cow chews on its cud. Gum can be a great idea on the way to the interview to keep your breath fresh, but get rid of it out before you even walk in the door to the place you are applying. No one wants to hear the sound of gum smacking while they are trying to conduct an interview.
• Check your watch frequently: If you have a habit of checking your watch frequently and you do so in an interview you will give the impression that you have some other place you would rather be. Even if you do have some place better to be, you certainly don’t want to convey that in the interview. If you are a watch checker then it is best to leave that watch at home.
• Rest your chin on your hands: This says to the hiring manager, ‘Hey this is really boring and I’d rather be anywhere else other than here listening to you.’ If this is what you want to convey then go for it but if you do the hiring manager is likely to grant your wish and send you packing very early.
• Slouch in your chair: A sure way to tick off a hiring manager is to slouch down on your chair and get all cozy. Remember, you are there trying to get a job not to take a nap. Sit up straight and be attentive.

The bottom line is to get a leg up on all the applicants that will be interviewed you have to come off as special. Avoid annoying the hiring manager and act your best and success is sure to follow. Of course if annoying a hiring manager is your ultimate goal you can always just light up a cigarette; that’ll have them seeing red.

Get more career advice on the JobGoRound.com job search blog.

How to Build a Great Reference List

Knowing how to build a great reference list can literally make or break you when trying to find the job of your dreams. With a carefully crafted reference list you will not only look good to the prospective employer, but you will be letting others sell you too.

A good reference list should have the person’s full name, business they are associated with, address, phone numbers, and e-mail. More than that though you need to know how to build your reference list so that it helps you to stand out from the rest of the crowd. Here are some ways to make sure that your reference list is a great one:

• Get permission: Whoever it is you are planning on using as a reference make sure and call them first and ask them if it is alright for you to use their name. Make sure they will be comfortable with speaking on your behalf. The last thing you want to do is to surprise someone with the fact that you used them as a reference as this could lead to a less than glowing recommendation.

• Choose in a relevant manner: Be sure that the references you are putting down have some sort of relevancy to the job in which you are applying for. For example, if you are trying to get a management position, you will want to put down someone you have managed in the past as well as your previous boss. This way a prospective employer can see that you not only followed orders well, but were also able to dole out authority too.

• Tell the truth: Don’t try to use your friend’s name and fabricate a false company or title just to make yourself look bigger than you are. This can only lead to disaster. The bottom line is, you are either qualified for a position or you are not qualified for a position.

• Small world, huh: You never know who knows who these days so be sure that your references are going to tell the truth about you and their experience with you. You don’t want a reference to say that you worked well with Bob Smith when you really didn’t and then have the prospective employer say, ‘Oh, I know Bob, small world.’ If that happens, Bob will probably get a phone call and you will probably be looking elsewhere for employment.

• Make it ultra easy: Make getting a hold of your references super easy for the prospective employer. Along with all the contact info, maybe include a time of day that it is best to call that specific reference. Nothing is more agitating to a prospective employer than having to chase down your references.

• Don’t use family: Of course your mom and uncle think you would be perfect for the job you are applying for, but unless you actually worked for them in the past don’t use them as a reference. Stick to business related references as this looks much more professional.

In today’s tough job environment you need all the help you can get. When you build a great reference list you not only increase your chances of setting yourself apart for the rest of the applicants, but you increase your chances of landing the job of your dreams by having others sell you too.

Read more career advice articles at JobGoRound.com.