Recruiters said many students do not understand the importance of preparation for an interview.
"The biggest mistake is not researching the company before going to the interview," Orndorff said. "It implies they are not committed to the interview, but just want a job."
Recruiters said that being clueless will get an interviewee nowhere.
"Don't ask, 'So what does your company do?' " said Jeff Monahan, Wegmans' employer representative.
Robert Jeter, a recruiter for Rohm and Haas, a chemical company, said there is no excuse for not knowing about the company because information is available on the company's Web site.
Orndorff said research-based questions are extremely impressive, only if they are organized.
Lindsay Konell (senior-math) said her mock interview with Career Services helped her realize she needs to focus on what the company is looking for.
Monahan said personal tangents are not necessary.
"We don't want to hear how you just broke up with your boyfriend," he said.
If an interview is over dinner, it may be out of the interviewee's control. Orndorff recommended remembering manners, ordering easily managed food and offering to pay.
He warns job hunters against becoming too comfortable during an interview over a meal.
"Don't think they are not evaluating you," Orndorff said.
However, some companies pay less attention to an interviewee's dinner manners.
"We aren't going to not hire someone because of how they eat," said Brad Swanson, Target's campus recruiter.
Orndorff said being too open can work against the interviewee, especially when he or she puts a negative light on past work experiences. Recruiters agree.
"Never talk negatively about a previous employer," Monahan said. "You can spin anything to make it sound good."
Orndorff said when discussing weaknesses at an interview, students should remember they are trying to present themselves in a positive light.
"There is no need to give a greatest weakness that is really going to kill you," he said.
He realizes that many students don't want a job if the recruiter does not accept them for who they are, including their flaws.
Students should realize an interview is the time to impress, and once the job is landed, they can gradually become more relaxed, he said.
He also said the job hunter needs to remember they should not dominate conversation during an interview.
Mark Long (junior-chemical engineering), who has been on several interviews, said the balance should be two-thirds to the interviewer and one-third to the interviewee.
Orndorff advised students to speak slightly less than half the time, but the more important factor is answering the interviewer's questions.
How the interviewee dresses often holds high importance.
Long said that too much cologne, spiky hair and flashy clothing all detract from the professional look.
Monahan said he is fed up with goofy ties.
"Avoid novelty ties with Bart Simpson on them," he said.
The main goal is to keep the focus off of the clothing.
"The bottom line with the dress apparel is that you don't want anything that will distract them from your eyes," Orndorff said.
