Ok, well we thought we have seen and heard it all in job interviews but  kids, here are  some of the absolute “do not do’s” on an interview. You might say after reading these, “no one would ever be that stupid”……well afraid so. Schools probably need to start teaching interview skills…Ya Think!

1. Candidate said the more he was paid, the harder he worked
2. Candidate said he had been fired from past positions, but still included those managers as references
3. Candidate said getting an interview was important because he wanted an opportunity to show off his new tie
4. Candidate listed her dog as a reference
5. Candidate listed-yes, the moonwalk-as a special skill
6. A husband and wife team looking to job share submitted a poem they had co-written
7. Candidate listed ‘versatile toes’ as a selling point
8. Candidate wrote that he would be “a good asset to the company” but somehow omitted the last two letters in “asset.”
9. Candidate’s email address contained the phrase “shakinmybootie”
10. Candidate mentioned that he had survived a bite from a deadly aquatic animal
11. Candidate used first name only
12. Candidate asked, “Would you pass up the opportunity to hire someone like this? I think not.”
13. Candidate insisted that he be paid for the time he spent interviewing with the company
14. Candidate shipped a lemon with resume, stating, “I am not a lemon.”
15. Candidate included on his resume the fact that he had been arrested for assaulting his previous boss.

What you don’t do can make as much or sometimes more impact than what you actually do — and can also say a lot about your leadership style and abilities as a manager.

Here a list of 5 “Do Not Do’s”….Is this your Boss?

1. Deliver annual performance reviews.Annual or semi-annual appraisals waste everyone’s time. Years ago my review was late, so I mentioned it to my boss. He said, “I’ll get to it… but you realize you won’t learn a thing. You’ve already heard everything I will say, good or bad. If anything on your review comes as a surprise to you I haven’t done my job.” He was right. The best feedback isn’t scheduled; the best feedback happens on the spot when it makes the most impact, either as praise and encouragement or as training and suggestions for improvement. Waiting for a scheduled review is the lazy way out. Your job is to coach and mentor and develop — every day.
2. Say, “Look… I’ve been meaning to apologize…” Apologies should be made on the spot, every time. You should never need to apologize for not having apologized sooner. When you mess up, ‘fess up.  Right away. Don’t you want employees to immediately tell you when they make a mistake? Model the same behavior.
3. Hold meetings to solicit ideas. Many companies hold brainstorming sessions to solicit ideas for improvement, especially when times get tough. Sounds great — after all, you’re “engaging employees” and “valuing their contributions,” right? But you don’t need a meeting to get input. When employees know you listen they often bring ideas to you. Plus, the better way to ask for ideas is to talk to people individually and to be more specific. Say, “I wish we could find a way to get orders through our system faster. What would you change if you were me?” Trust me: Employees picture themselves doing your job — and doing your job better — all the time. They have ideas. Be open, act on good ideas, explain why less than good ideas aren’t feasible… and you’ll get all the input you can handle.
4. Create development plans. Development plans are, like annual performance reviews, largely a corporate construct. (HR staffers love to monitor compliance and alert managers when supervisors are late turning in their employees’ development plans. Or maybe that’s just my experience.) You should know what each of your employees hopes to achieve: Skills and experience they want to gain, career paths they hope to take, etc. So talk about it — informally. Assign projects that fit. Provide training that fits. Create opportunities that fit. Then give feedback on the spot. “Develop” is a verb that requires action; “development” is a noun that sits in a file cabinet.
5. Call in favors. I know lots of bosses who play the guilt game, like saying, “John, I’ve been very flexible with your schedule the last few months while your wife was sick… now I really need you to come through for me and work this weekend…” Generosity should always be a one-way street. Be flexible when it’s the right thing to do. Be accommodating when it’s the right thing to do. Never lend money to friends unless you don’t care if you are repaid, and never do “favors” for employees in anticipation of return. As a leader, only give — never take.