Recently, we asked the hiring managers and recruiters of the BuzzFeed Community to share their ✨secrets and stories✨ from their job with us.
Unsurprisingly, their submissions ranged from super insightful to preeeeeetty shocking, to say the least.
Here's what they revealed:
1. "We want to know you're gonna be a good fit on our team. The last time I conducted interviews, our interview panel was willing to overlook one candidate's underwhelming credentials and experience because she was just so damn calm and grounded during the interview. It was refreshing."
—Anonymous
2. "I work at a leading global executive search firm (i.e., I’m a headhunter). When you apply to senior-level jobs such as CEO, Vice President, Director, etc., we meticulously screen your social media channels. A major red flag is someone who posts too much and is particularly vocal. Careful what you put out into the world — it could cost you a job."
—Anonymous
3. "We judge you hard if you’re a job-hopper. Try to stay in the same job/company for a few years when you’re young, and eventually, 5–10 or more when you’re further into your career. Otherwise, it does not look pretty."
—Anonymous
4. "Someone applied to a position at 4 a.m., added me on LinkedIn at 6 a.m., texted me an introduction at 7 a.m., and then called me as I was on my way to work. I get having dedication, but that was just too much."
5. "I interviewed someone who told us that his hours needed to work around his bodybuilding schedule. He proceeded to take out photos of himself in a speedo, lathered with oil. I had to leave to the bathroom before I started laughing."
6. "If a cover letter isn't required, don't include one. It will rarely help you get a job, and is just more room to make grammar and editing mistakes. If I don't want to interview someone based on their résumé, a cover letter has never convinced me otherwise. But I've seen several candidates that are qualified on their résumés not get an interview because their cover letter was a mess."
—Anonymous
7. "I received a police background check for a candidate and realized that they'd committed multiple thefts. They were applying for a job as the security guard of a MUSEUM."
8. "I've usually decided who will get the job based on where they went to university."
—Anonymous
9. "I've been a hiring manager in healthcare for over 15 years. When reviewing a résumé, the first spelling or grammatical mistake I see, I rip up the résumé no matter how qualified the person is for the job. If you can't take the time to proofread and spot-check your résumé for a career opportunity, you aren't taking it seriously enough."
—Anonymous
10. "One time, I was interviewing people for a position with multiple openings. The first interview ran six minutes overtime. Six minutes. The second person who was waiting those six minutes got up and left, cussing out the receptionist. They then reapplied for the job that same afternoon. Obviously, they were not invited to come for another interview. Sometimes, interviews can run a little long, but six minutes over should not have had that kind of reaction — never mind having the audacity to reapply like it was nothing."
11. "When you apply for jobs, check your email and answer your phone. More than half of the people I call to schedule an interview with either don't have their voicemail set up or the mailbox is full. When on the phone with me, be polite. You're about the 15th person I've talked to today. I'm just doing my job, and I'm calling because YOU applied for this job. Don't hang up on me. If you don't want the job, simply say, 'I don't think this will be a good fit for me, thank you for your time.' I promise my feelings won't be hurt, and I'll have more respect for you than if you just hang up on me."
—Anonymous
12. "I scheduled an interview with an applicant for a mid-level tech position, but when I called for the formal phone interview, the candidate refused to continue because they were busy eating."
13. "If you're looking to make a career switch, you need to include some information about why in your job application. It doesn't have to be a whole cover letter, but just a short blurb in the objective about why you're applying for something you don't (on the surface) have the experience or education for. Also, shine some light on your personal experience when applying! I worked for a youth shelter once, and I had a guy who applied who, on paper, had no experience working with at-risk youth. But we found out that he had been through the foster care system with him and his brother. He was a fantastic employee! You have to make these things known and prove that your personal experience can apply to a job."
14. "Have professional emails when applying for positions. There is nothing worse than seeing sxxybabe69@whateverservice.com as your contact information."
—Anonymous
15. "I sat down with a candidate who was clearly high during the interview. When I asked why he left his last job, he said, 'Because my boss was a b*tch!' I ended the interview after that."
16. "We only care about your top three latest relevant employments to the position we're hiring. No need to put your first job. Just make sure each employment lasts at least two years and your experience matches the one we're looking for, then you'll be shortlisted."
—Anonymous
17. "One time, I interviewed a guy who showed up with his pet tarantula. The interviewer and I were terrified of spiders but somehow managed to get through the interview."
18. "I was hiring for a retail position, and 10 minutes into the interview, the applicant's phone started dinging. She asked if she could look at it and then said we needed to pause the interview because there was a Pokémon in the office she needed to catch."
19. "In an interview, an applicant asked about our vacation policy just to mention that she and her wealthy boyfriend take their private plane to hidden celebrity towns and islands every few months."
20. "Even if you are a college graduate with no job experience, please do not include 'hobbies and interests' on your CV. Potential employers will instead look at your grades and extracurriculars, so highlight those."
—Anonymous
And finally:
21. "You can be the best candidate and do everything right, and still lose out on a job. Sometimes, they already had someone in mind for the position, but interviewed other people just to say they did. Sometimes, a friend or family member needed/wanted a job, and they were chosen over you. The position may get reworked and hybridized with another pre-existing employee taking on additional responsibilities. Sometimes, the budget didn’t allow for a hire even if they desperately needed it, and HR/hiring managers and the finance department couldn’t agree, so they held off on that position, even after interviewing people. These are all terrible things that waste applicants' time, but they're out of your control. Don’t get discouraged, just keep applying elsewhere."
Submissions have been edited for length and/or clarity.