Page 50 - 101 Dynamite Answers to Interview Questions

Mistakes, Trends, and Resources 43

7. Appears somewhat incoherent and unfocused. Tends to offer
incomplete thoughts, loses focus, and jumps around to unrelated
ideas. Hard to keep a focused conversation going. Incoherent
thought processes indicate a possible attention problem.

8. Inarticulate. Speaks poorly, from sound of voice and diction to
grammar, vocalized pauses, and jargon. Uses lots of “you know,”
“ah, ” “like, ” “okay, ” and “well” fillers. Expresses a low-class street
language - “cool, ” “damn, ” “?rzaii, ” “wow. ” Not a good candidate for
using the telephone or interacting with clients. Appears verbally
illiterate. Writing is probably similar in quality.

9. Gives short and incomplete answers to questions. Tends to
respond to most questions with “Yes, ” “No, “Maybe, ” or ‘Tin not
sure7, when the interviewer expects more in-depth answers. Appears
shallow and indicates a lack of substance, initiative, interest, and
enthusiasm.

10. Lacks a sense of direction. Appears to have no goals or apparent
objectives. When asked “Wzere do you seeyourseyjve or ten years
from now?, ’’ has difficulty coming up with an answer or patronizes
the interviewer by saying “With you!” Just loolung for a paycheck
rather than pursuing a passion.

11. Appears ill or has a possible undisclosed medical condition.
Looks pale, glassy-eyed, gaunt, or yellow. Coughs, sneezes, and
sounds terrible. Talks about her upcoming surgery - within six
weeks of starting the job!

12. Volunteers personal information that normally would be
illegal or inappropriate to ask. Candidate males interviewer feel
uncomfortable by tallcing about religion, political affiliation, age ,
family, divorce, sexual orientation, or physical and mental health.

13. Emits bad or irritating smells. Wow! The candidate reels of
excessive perfume, cologne, or shaving lotion - could lull mos-
quitos. Can smell smoke or alcohol on breath. Strong body order
indicates personal hygiene problems. Has bad breath throughout
the interview, which gets cut short for an unexplained reason!