Job interviews usually aren’t the stuff that laughs are made of, but …… there are occasions that leave interviewers shaking their heads and chuckling under their breath.

Job interviews are considered a formal occasion. You expect a certain type of behavior, dress and attitude when someone comes in hoping to convince you to hire him or her. Even in these more-relaxed “Generation Y” times, there are still standards for conduct.

Unfortunately, that message appears to be lost on some of today’s job-seekers.  Based on what they’re saying and doing, it’s easy to understand why they’re still not pulling down a regular paycheck.

The next time you participate in a job interview for a position in Procurement/Purchasing, see if the applicant can top any of these:

• “When asked about his loyalty, showed a tattoo of his girlfriend’s name.”
• “Said that if I hired him, I’d soon learn to regret it.”
• “Left his dry-cleaner tag on his jacket and said he wanted to show he was a clean individual.”
• “Applicant walked in and inquired why he was here.”
• “Arrived with a snake around her neck. She said she took her pet everywhere.”
• “Took three cellular phone calls. Said she has a similar business on the side.”
• “Said that if he was hired, he’d teach me ballroom dancing at no charge, and started demonstrating.”
• “Applicant indicated that if he wasn’t hired, the future of the company would be jeopardized for confidential reasons.”

Next time your hear of some oddball or outrageous excuse, think of these. It’ll probably show you that yes, it could be worse.

(These comments were collected by the Robert Half recruiting organization.)

Tags: hiring, interview, procurement, purchasing