WATCH OUT!

When you get to interview, you're invited to play the WATCH OUT! game.  

Just like a game, there are rules.  Some times you'll just get a penalty, other times it's an automatic Game Over.  

To sum things up, there's some less than obvious things to watch out for.  These are real events that happened, so don't repeat them...

*Bragging on and on about yourself.  "I go to Las Vegas all the time.  My family is so wealthy, we don't know what do with all that money."

*Monopolizing the conversation.  Someone mentions a great pianist.  Immediately you say, "Psh, that's not really anything.  I play at piano bars all the time.  It's pretty relaxing.  I mean, it's just one of the few talents I have..."

*Shooting yourself comments: "My uncle is a CPA who makes lots of money illegally, so that's what got me into getting a CPA." 

*Drinking alcohol.  Saying silly things, mumbling stuff, and/or getting wasted.  Eyes shifting.  Face glowing red.  Down.

*Class clown.  It was funny in high school, it's not funny during interviews. 

*Being NOT funny.  At a dinner table, Suzy comes back from the bathroom.  Immediately you point to a Beth and tell  Suzy, "Beth was trash talking you the whole time you were at the bathroom."  The recruiter didn't really think that was funny, nor did Beth or Suzy.  Of course Beth is a quiet shy girl who didn't even talk much to being with.

*Putting other people's ideas down is an instant fail.  Peter suggests his brilliant idea.  You immediately say, "Yeah, we're sticking to my original idea."

*Asking bad questions.  Is there such a thing?  Yes!  Don't ask degrading questions "Did you ever regret not working for the other Big 4 company?" "Will I get free games if I audit a gaming company?"

*Saying useless things.  "My old team sucked!  I'm glad I switched to the winning team!" 

*Sarcasm.  Not everyone's favorite humor.  

*Perfume/Cologne.  Some people...like your interviewers...are allergic. 

*Acting immature behind the scene.  Just don't do it.  Just don't risk it. 

*Text messaging during dinner with recruiters present.  

*Chewing gum. 

*Saying ANYTHING remotely negative.  Use your words carefully.  It's like your savings account.  Use discretion. 

*Not sending Thank You e-mails.  This should be a given.