Platinum Author
A friend had an interview set up for her dream job; great salary, awesome benefits and a promotion from her current position. She was dressed in her best professional attire, had put together an impeccable resume and had done her research on the company's latest projects. The interview was playing out nicely, a good vibe was going on between the interviewer -- all indicators were pointing to the fact that my friend would make it through the first round of cuts. Until.... her cell phone started loudly screeching to be answered. Horrified, she rummaged through her purse for what seemed like an eternity and finally punched the off button. Finally, silence - but, silence in the form of a glare from the interviewer, too!
There is one word to describe this situation - awkward. Having your cell phone ring in an interview is just as inappropriate as hearing the intrusive noise in church, a movie theater or a college lecture. When a prospective employee's cell phone rings during an interview, it leaves an unfavorable opinion with the hiring manager. A ringing cell phone says a lot about attitude - a self-absorbed, disrespectful attitude that most companies are not looking for in their employees.
Even if you did not mean to leave your phone on, the interviewer is going to assume a number of negative things. First, it will seem that you are not focused on the task at hand, but more interested in tending to your personal needs. To employers, top priority is with the needs of the company and not the social phone calls of the employee. The interviewer may also see a person who leaves their phone on as careless, as a person without attention to detail - this does not bode well for new jobs. Turning off your cell phone is just a simple step in getting ready for an interview.
If, despite your best intentions, your cell phone does go off in an interview, quickly turn off the phone and apologize with out any long-winded explanation of why it was going off. Never, ever answer a ringing cell phone and take then take the phone call in front of an interviewer; this is a total sign of disrespect and sure way to not be invited back for a second interview.
About this Author
Todd Denning
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