Gather ‘round the virtual water cooler, because at Worth Recruiting, we've seen it all. And while we love a good success story, sometimes it's the spectacular flameouts that really stick in the memory (and give us a laugh).

So, in the spirit of public service (and a bit of a chuckle), we present our A to Z guide on "What Absolutely, Positively, Under No Circumstances to Do at an Interview."

Consider this your roadmap to interview infamy.

The "Fashionably Late & Disastrously Dressed" Entrance:

First impressions count, but some candidates seem to interpret this as "make an impression, any impression." We're talking arriving 30 minutes late, possibly still in last night's PJs, or perhaps taking a bold sartorial leap with a full Darth Vader costume (yes, it's happened).

Pro tip: "Business casual" does not mean your favourite slippers, nor does a video interview grant immunity to the bottom half – we've heard tales of boxer shorts making an unexpected debut. Stick to smart, clean, and, you know, actual clothes. Top and bottom!

The "Too Much Information (TMI)" Tsunami:

We want to get to know you, but there are limits! Confessing your undying love for the interviewer's pot plant, detailing your dramatic breakup via interpretive dance, or explaining that your main motivation for wanting the job is that your mum will stop nagging you, might be slightly oversharing. Similarly, asking if the interviewer is really qualified to be asking the questions, or if you can "taste their coffee" to check its quality, probably won't win you any points!

The "Honesty is the Best Policy... Or Is It?" Conundrum:

While we advocate for truthfulness, some truths are best left unsaid. For example, when asked about your weaknesses, "women" or "an inability to get out of bed before 10 am" might not be the answers your potential employer is seeking.

Similarly, explaining you left your last job because your boss was a "d*ckhead" or because you "just couldn't be arsed anymore," while potentially cathartic, isn't terribly professional.

And perhaps avoid pulling out a bag of what looks suspiciously like contraband with your keys. Just a thought.

The "Make Yourself at Home (Too Much)" Approach:

It's great to be relaxed, but there's a fine line between comfortable and "currently helping myself to all the biscuits in the boardroom while putting my feet up on the CEO's desk." Candidates have been known to eat an entire bowl of sweets during an interview, give a running commentary on the quality of said sweets, or even start applying foot lotion mid-question. And while we appreciate enthusiasm, breaking into song unprompted or attempting to read the interviewer's palm might be a step too far.

The "Oblivious to the Obvious" Antics:

Doing a phone interview while, shall we say, indisposed in the bathroom (complete with sound effects) is a classic no-no. (And NEVER consider doing this on a video interview).

Asking how much notice you get for a "random" drug test is also a bold, if ill-advised, move.

And if the company logo, office decor, and interviewer's attire are all bright orange, perhaps avoid mentioning your intense, burning hatred for the colour orange.

From the Worth Recruiting Archive….

Some great stories that we can relate from our own interviews:

When asked, “Why do you think we should hire you?”, we recommend that you don’t start laughing, and don’t be the candidate who, mid-interview, asked to go and check whether they had locked their car and didn’t come back!

Please don’t take your mother with you to your interview, and please don’t demand that the interviewer goes through all 8 pages of your CV with you in order to demonstrate the responsibilities you have held in each role.

We recommend that you don’t unwrap and start eating your sandwiches, and from a sartorial perspective, orange chino’s with flipflops and a cropped pink fluffy jacket with white 6 inch heals are two combinations that will not get you invited back for a second interview in the property industry.

Finally, please don’t doze off during your interview!

So, what's the takeaway from these cautionary tales?

Beyond the obvious (be on time, dress appropriately, don't insult anyone), the key is to be prepared, professional, and self-aware. We want to see the best version of you – the one who doesn't wear a cat tail to an interview (unless you're applying to be a cat, of course).

Got any interview horror stories of your own (either as interviewer or interviewee)? We'd love to hear them! Please send your story to Guy Hodgeguy@worthrecruiting.me

Good luck with your actual interviews, and may your attire be appropriate and your answers insightful!

The Property Recruitment Team at Worth Recruiting