7 Things Job Seekers Do That Seem Weird to Employers

7 Things Job Seekers Do That Seem Weird to Employers 7 Things Job Seekers Do That Seem Weird to Employers While it’s certain that every job seeker has his own unique job search style, there are some things you should never, ever do when you’re on the hunt for a new gig. In fact, doing some things that might seem perfectly normal to you just might prevent you from landing a job, much less an interview. Here are seven things job seekers do that seem weird to employers: 1. You show up unannounced. You found a job listing that you know in your heart of hearts was made just for you. This was confirmed during the job interview in which you knew for sure that this job was  yours. Thing is, after your job interview, the  employer didn’t respond. So you take it upon yourself to show up at the company’s headquarters anyway to land an impromptu second job interview. After all, don’t prospective bosses like people who show tenacity and a passion for the position? Um, no. If you decide to forge ahead and go to the company’s offices, not only is it unlikely that the hiring manager will be free at that moment to meet with you, but it will look like you don’t know proper protocol, which is to wait until you’re sent a request for another interview. Plus, you might scare off the hiring manager (hello, restraining order!). 2. You set your terms and conditions too soon. Sure, every job seeker wants to know how much a position pays before going through the lengthy process of interviewing, just to find out that the salary is subpar. That’s why some job seekers might include a line or two in their cover letter that states something like: “I am not interested in a position that pays under X amount of money or doesn’t offer a full range of benefits, including flexible work.” While it’s good to know what you want (and be vocal about it), there’s a time and a place to negotiate salary, benefits, and perks, which is typically after you’ve been offered a job. Stating your terms before a hiring manager has even interviewed you can come across as rude and arrogant, and definitely won’t be looked upon favorably. 3. You send gifts. Let’s face it: you’re tired of job searching. So when you finally land an interview for a job you really want, you figure you can sweeten the deal- and expedite the interviewing process- by sending in a small token of your esteem to your potential employer. You figure it will show how much you want the position and thank him for his time, too. But sending in gifts can look like you’re kissing up to your boss-to-be, which is never a good thing. In lieu of flowers, candy, or a swanky cigar, a  simple thank-you email  post-interview will suffice. 4. You’re willing to work for free. Of all the oops that you can commit during your  job search, this one might be the most innocent- and most common. After all, many potential employers will often give qualified candidates a test or some type of work to perform to gauge how good of a worker they might be and how they manage deadlines (and if it is a work-from-home position, how they self-manage). So offering to work for free so a potential employer can see the caliber of your work and that you truly want the position seems to make sense. But taking a test given to you by a hiring manager and flat-out offering to work for free are two different things entirely. It’s actually illegal for people who are not employees of an organization to do free work, so your employer can’t even accept your offer even if he wants to. Save your excellent work ethic for when you are in the middle of a job interview and are asked to perform a work-related task instead. 5. You send in a picture of yourself. While it might be the Age of the Selfie, sending in a snapshot of yourself to accompany your resume is never a good idea. Although it is common for employers outside of the U.S. to require a picture with a job application, it’s frowned upon stateside. Why? Well, for starters, what you look like has no bearing on how well you can perform the duties of the position. And on top of that, it opens up a can of worms (and potential lawsuits) for employers if a job candidate sends in their application with a picture and then claim that they weren’t hired due to discrimination based on how they look. Let your resume and cover letter speak for you and your potential as an employee, and leave your looks out of it. 6. You get too personal. Even if you hit it off with your interviewer, and you feel a casual, friendly vibe between the two of you, keep it professional. Your interviewer might ask about what you do for fun, but dont take it too far. For example, showing photos of kids, pet, or partner can come off wrong. Mentioning your political opinions or even your feelings about a local establishment should be avoided. These things are too personal and unrelated to your job interview. 7. You display inappropriate or out-of-place behavior. Putting your feet up. Eating. Hugging the interviewer. Checking or answering your phone. Dont do these things. Even if they make  you feel more comfortable, your interviewer is sure to be unimpressed. These sorts of behavior are out of place in an interview environment. Keep your wits about you, and dont let an effort to seem relaxed make you seem unsuited for the job. In an effort to land a job, some job seekers might goof and make some of these mistakes. But if you follow the protocols as dictated by the job description (and common sense!), you’ll land a job that’s right for you. Know someone looking for a job? Refer a friend to with this link- you’ll get a month free service and they’ll get 30% off! Rachel Jay contributed to this post.