You wouldn’t believe the stories I hear day in and day out from Hiring Mangers and Creative Directors about their “almost hires” They go to the trouble to bring someone out for an interview, pay for travel, prepare the team to wine and dine, and during the interview the conversation turns…weird. Anyone who says they don’t need coaching before an interview is mistaken. Preparation, wisdom and common sense all play a huge part in a successful interview. I have had candidates with amazing talent – a great portfolio, excellent resume filled with blue chip clientele and the top ad agencies, and after a few tries I realize they never make it to round 2 of the interview process. This is 100% attributed to their conversation on the phone, or sometimes, in person. (Assuming that they dressed appropriately and had no hygiene issues)

For example – I had one client come very close to hiring a candidate. They made it through 2 phone interviews (somehow) and then upon meeting them things went sour. The HR director was kind enough to drive the prospective employee around town to sell their location and agency. When they got in her car, she noticed he did not put on his seat belt. She asked him to please buckle up, and he replied, “Oh, I’m a black belt in karate. I don’t use seat belts – if I go through the windshield, I am prepared to use my martial arts skills to protect myself.”

I’m not kidding.

As you can imagine, the interview went on a bit longer, but the possibility of hiring him ended abruptly. Even joking can be misconstrued and is therefore a risky effort during an interview. Unfortunately, this candidate was completely serious and had to be forced to fasten his seatbelt. How you could have prepared either party for such a weird conversation is beyond me. Please, candidates trust your recruiter. Allow them to prepare you fully, including helping you pick out your outfit and warning you against weird jokes, no-no topics and having the BEST answers to questions ready to go. And, if your potential employer asks you to put your seatbelt, please do so. Ninja or no ninja. To read more verbal interview slip-ups,  go here.

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