Interviews are some of the most stressful moments of a jobseeker’s journey in gaining a new position. They can be awkward and uncomfortable, as you try to make the best first-impression possible in front of your potential boss(es).
Movies and TV shows have a knack of displaying these pressured encounters as funny moments and turning the character’s unfortunate situations into memorable moments of humour.
We have compiled some of our favourite fictional interview moments, that are just awkward enough to feel relatable. Perhaps it’s because of a silly slip-up due to the butterflies in our stomach or maybe it’s because of something strange asked by an interviewer.
Enjoy some of these throwbacks to Hollywood classics, and we hope you gain some value from the takeaways of each video.
Warning – some of these videos contain profanities.
The Wolf of Wall Street
In this scene Donnie Azoff (Jonah Hill) meets Jordan Belfort (Leonardo DiCaprio) for the first time. He asks how much he makes, and Belfort tell him $70,000 last month – or there abouts.
Azoff says, “I tell you what. You show me a pay stub for $72,000 on it, I quit my job right now and I work for you”
Moments later, the scene cuts to Azoff calling his boss and quitting and begins working for Jordan Belfort.
Takeaways – Be brave and try your luck. You don’t ask, you don’t get.
Trainspotting
Trainspotting, the Scottish cult classic.
Here, Spud perfectly demonstrates everything not to do in an interview. He brings the enthusiasm to the table but let his nerves, and other substances, get the better of him.
Takeaways – Prepare for questions you’re likely going to be asked and never lie in your application.
Bonus advice – Be sober and don’t kiss your interviewer.
Step Brothers
Everyone’s favourite noughties comedy, given you’re a Will Ferrel/John C. Reilly fan.
The parents of the two 40-year-olds set up interviews for the boys at various locations, in the hopes of getting them to move out the house and start afresh. However, things don’t go down as well as they’d hoped.
If you’re looking for inspiration of the absolute do-nots for interview advice, see below.
Takeaways – Dress appropriately (perhaps don’t wear tuxedos); don’t interview ‘as a team’, don’t ask your interviewer personal questions, and don’t eat gassy food before your interview.
The Devil Wears Prada
Andi (Anne Hathaway) approaches Miranda Priestly (Meryl Streep) for a job as her Personal Assistant.
Takeaway – Similarly to The Wolf of Wall Street example, you’ve got to put yourself out there.
Good Will Hunting
During this scene, Will (Matt Damon) is being interviewed by an NSA recruiter and goes off on a tangent about why he shouldn’t work for NSA and should hold out for something better.
Takeaways – Know what you want and ask insightful questions. You’re interviewing the company as much as they’re interview you – make sure the company’s values and goals are aligned with your own.
The Internship
If you’ve not seen The Internship (what were you doing in 2013?), it’s about two salesmen in their 40s who find themselves unemployed (hitting home in the COVID-era) and land internships at Google.
They decided to conduct their Skye interview in a children’s library, have a watch below to see how well it goes down.
Takeaway – Consider your environment when you’re having an online interview.
Bonus tip – Be yourself and make it memorable. Although, you might want to tone it down a wee bit from the blender metaphor.
Find more interview tips at s1jobs and discover opportunities to exercise your new interview tips by applying for new jobs – we’ve got thousands of incredible vacancies over on the site.