One Sure Sign You're Not Getting the Job

I've had quite a few interviews since the fall for various job openings throughout the city. Some were better than others. And as I'm still looking for my "big break," I am no expert on the ritual. But if there's one thing I learned during this job hunting process, it's this: If the person interviewing you drops the "F bomb" during the interview, you're not going to get the position. Trust me, it's happened twice already.

These were two different interviews with two different professional organizations. And on both occasions, I felt the interview was going great. There was good conversation, a little laughter, eye contact, head nodding – all the ingredients of a good interview. During the first one, everyone was so relaxed and comfortable that the two staffers interviewing me were tossing around the f word like it was a preposition. It felt like happy hour in Adam's Morgan. (I refrained from joining in, naturally). And the whole time I was thinking, "Yeah, they really like me. We're meshing. I'm practically part of the team already with all this banter." Next week I received an e-mail that ends with thanks for your interest and we "wish you great success in your future endeavors." Ouch. Not a happy hour for me.

And then it happened again last month. This time the interviewer was talking about the former co-worker who had the position I was applying for. And there's the F-bomb again, this time to describe the previous person's work ethic. And again, I think, "Yeah, they love me. I'm already included in the workplace gossip circle." I was told I would hear back from them the following week. Still haven't heard a thing over a month later.

So while I can say that you probably won't get the job if you say "f*ck" during your interview (unless you are applying to be 50 Cent's bodyguard), I guarantee you that if your future employer says it, you didn't make the cut. And that's a f*cking shame.