Hard lessons from the hiring side of the table. Over the course of my career in law enforcement, I have served on countless interview panels, both within my own organization and while assisting other agencies. I reviewed resumes for promotions, lateral transfers, and executive appointments. I watched how hiring panels evaluated candidates under time pressure and how quickly first impressions were formed. Since retiring in June 2024, I’ve continued to see the process from a different angle as a recruiter with Sumter Local Government Consulting, a Georgia-based firm specializing in executive recruitment and interim placements. In that role, I’ve led…

I recently watched an episode of Family Feud with Steve Harvey, where contestants were asked to name things you should never do in the middle of a job interview. The top six responses were: Fart Use Phone/Text Pick Nose Cuss/Yell Go to Bathroom Light Up a Cigarette At first, I couldn’t help but chuckle at the crude and over-the-top answers. Let’s face it—these scenarios are outrageous, but they highlight an important point: certain actions are instant interview killers. While Family Feud may have made these humorous, it got me thinking more seriously about what behaviors can sabotage an interview. Job…