Interviewing? Please don't...

I just finished a round of interviews for a contract technical writer, and was surprised at the responses from several candidates. Perhaps I expect too much from a communication professional. I look for personality fit during an interview over skills. (You're in the interview because you have the skills.) Does your style of working fit the company? Are you adaptable enough to make the changes needed to fit?

If you want you want to be hired:

1. DON'T brag about being Microsoft Office certified. Tell me what you plan to conquer next. What is your next challenge? Do you plan to teach yourself how to write for mobile? I want to know what you plan to do to make yourself a better writer.

2. DON'T lecture me. I'm a professional and I know what's happening in my industry. If you are lecturing me, how are you going to treat the others on your team?

3. DON'T disregard what I say. If I tell you something about the position, don't ignore it or tell me you disagree. I'm giving you insight into the job and what you can expect.

4. DON'T waffle on a straight question. If you don't have an answer, tell me you haven't considered it. I asked an applicant what industry she liked to write for the most based on her contract jobs. Her answer: tech writing. Because we all know that writing for banking is just like writing for smartphones.

5. DON'T boast about the joys of your secondary job. Our experience can encompass closely related opportunities, but when you keep talking about the joys of teaching, maybe you are in the wrong interview.

Frankly, the responses to these questions ended the interview for me. The personality fit wasn't right for our company, and these candidates didn't seem adaptable. If you are interviewing, please don't respond as these candidates did. At least, not if you want the job.