20+ interview mistakes that still haunt former job candidates years later: 'I mentioned that I had noticed a spelling error in their job ad'

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Ben Weiss • Writer and Editor
Jun 16, 2024 2:00 PM EDT

There is an art to knocking a job interview out of the park, and many folks do not know how to master that art… especially at first.

When you're just starting out and applying for your very first job, it's difficult not to feel like you're walking in with no idea what to expect. Sure, everyone says that it's best to be relaxed, confident, and in touch with yourself, but what if the best parts of you are still wildly unprofessional? That's what these folks figured out during the job interviews that still haunt them to this day. These interview mistakes range from salary negotiation errors to calling hiring managers out on their own mistakes to oversharing about one's personal life. Before you judge these folks, take a moment to remember your first job interview and the mistakes you probably did make and have tried very hard to forget.

Keep scrolling below for the full collection. When you're done, feel free to take a look at this list of pizza delivery stories gone wrong. 

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  • 01
    "I should have asked for more [money]"
    via Van Tay Media
  • 02
    Va 9.18 hr. ago The manager had a picture of a naked moke rat on his desktop and I said "Gross" he then told me it was his pet.
    via u/OctupleWhopper
  • 03
    Coconutqueen2402. 20 hr. ago Interviewed at a bank. Was going perfectly despite how nervous I was, and I was probably in with a great chance. Then as a final question, the panel asked me "why should we hire you?" And I word-vomit replied "Because I probably won't steal your money!" I was not hired.
    via u/OctupleWhopper
  • 04
    Lovely_Gaze 20 hr. ago Interviewing for a part time job at Kmart as a summer gig in college. HR Director: "So everything looks good. If you ever need a job reference or a letter of recommendation, come see me at the end of your employment here and we'all see what we can do!" Me: "Oh that won't be necessary, I have references from real jobs already." I still got the job but holy
    via u/OctupleWhopper
  • 05
    Ok-Discussion5263. 19 hr. ago I answered a question about my biggest weakness by saying I work too hard, classic cliché, and it sounded insincere. They knew. I knew. Awkward silence followed. Didn't get the job.
    via u/OctupleWhopper
  • 06
    green_dinos 19 hr. ago Did not prepare for the "what are three things you can improve on skill wise?" question. Job was to work w di̟ led kids; I said I could improve my patience. Not my timeliness, not my communication, not my team building skills... patience. Stupid stupid stupid lol
    via u/OctupleWhopper
  • 07
    Magnifying_Charmx 19 hr. ago Not exactly a mistake, but I went to the counter of the store and asked if they were hiring. They said they were and gave me an on the spot interview right there in the middle of the store with my mom standing right with me (I was 16 and she had given me a ride to the store). My mom proceeded to answer every question for me and kept talking me up. I ended up getting the job and worked there for over 2 years, so thanks mom lol
    via u/OctupleWhopper
  • 08
    Independent-Bike8810 19 hr. ago Their initial offer was $25k more than I was asking and I just accepted it without any counter-offer.
    via u/OctupleWhopper
  • 09
    Longjumping_Event_59. 20 hr. ago Accepting the job when they offered it right on the spot. I didn't know at the time, but that's usually not a good sign. They're usually either desperate, or the job just
    via u/OctupleWhopper
  • 10
    islandsimian 20 hr. ago Went negative and bad- mouthed my current-at- the-time company. Apparently that's a huge no no. You should always make it sound like you want to go to the new company and not escape a bad one
    via u/OctupleWhopper
  • 11
    Rani Phoenix 18 hr. ago . At the end of the interview, I jokingly said, "So, when do I start?" That was a terrible, terrible decision.
    via u/OctupleWhopper
  • 12
    smokeyvic 18 hr. ago . edited 18 hr. ago To illustrate my excellent attention to detail I mentioned that I had noticed a spelling error in their job ad. Never heard back, I don't wonder why
    via u/OctupleWhopper
  • 13
    GrimeyScorpioDuffman 20 hr. ago I didn't do my research and didn't realize one of the main people I'd be interviewing with was a girl I had hooked up with a few years prior
    via u/OctupleWhopper
  • 14
    Sean081799 - 19 hr. ago Not an interview, but in high school (2016 I think) I got auto rejected from a clothes retailer. I want to say it was because I put "strongly disagree" to "I am a people person." Didn't make that mistake again when I started applying to actually important jobs.
    via u/OctupleWhopper
  • 15
    Trichopsych 19 hr. ago "Where do you see your self in 5 years?" "Owning my own business, and not chained down to a dead end job" Still hired tho
    via u/OctupleWhopper
  • 16
    Dave220_1 18 hr. ago Went for an interview at a local movie rental store. Completely blanked when I was asked what movies I've watched recently. Ended up throwing out "Cheech and Chong" after a way too long and akward delay, then nervously laughed like a st■
    via u/OctupleWhopper
  • 17
    Snowmist92 18 hr. ago When I was younger and thinking the "tell me about yourself" question meant they genuinely cared about your personal life.
    via u/OctupleWhopper
  • 18
    CuteFlowers. 20 hr. ago The boss agreed to the first salary I suggested for myself, so I took that to mean I should have asked for more.
    via u/OctupleWhopper
  • 19
    OctupleWhopper OP. 20 hr. ago edited 19 hr. ago My worst (I think): Noticing the job description they handed me on paper was $1/hr less than the one advertised online. I asked about that, and shouldn't have said anything. Another bad one (in 2005): Forgot to turn off my phone ringer and got some automatic texts and just ignored them, embarrassed.
    via u/OctupleWhopper
  • 20
    CockroachTheory 19 hr. ago. Not asking them, from my POV the questions they asked me. Example: Them: Where do you see yourself in 5 years? Me: What opportunities for advancement, training, growth, and pay increases are offered to new hires in their first 5 years. I do typically ask how the position became vacant. It's usually telling when your interviewer bad mouths previous employees. If they don't say something avoiding and vague or tell you someone had a baby or some other reason for leaving
    via u/OctupleWhopper
  • 21
    ImplementOk3861. 18 hr. ago After the interviewer was finished asking questions, I said I had a few questions. She seemed surprised. So, I asked if promotions are performance based or are they based on likeability? As soon as I finished, she said I do not believe we are a fit. I still would not change my wording. I now have a job somewhere enjoyable. So, everything worked out.
    via u/OctupleWhopper
  • 22
    MegabyteProject . 20 hr. ago I showed up 15 minutes early one time and the hiring manager was really upset by this
    via u/OctupleWhopper

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workplace-stories work stories toxic-workplace job work reddit thread Reddit company job interview interview toxic-work-environment
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