JOB INTERVIEW RED FLAGS – PART 1

Jeff Mignault • August 8, 2017

No one wants to make a hiring mistake, but it happens. Perhaps you misread a candidate, the candidate is not as advertised once they are in the job, or they simply are not the right culture fit for your company. There are many reasons why you could hire the wrong person in job interviews.

“From lies to lack of preparation, poor attitude, and insincerity, you can pick up on signs and collect evidence during an interview that the potential employee is not for you. If you know what you are looking for, employers can successfully spot these job interview red flags—before making a job offer to a prospective employee,” says Susan M. Heathfield on the balance.

Being able to identify common red flags during interviews is a key factor in hiring the best candidate possible. Here are some of the most common red flags to be on the lookout for when doing job interviews:

1.They are late

Being late for a job interview is unacceptable, and if a candidate really wants the job, they will do everything in their power to arrive on time, if not early. Barring unforeseen circumstances, this is an obvious red flag.

2. They know nothing about your company

Researching the company you are interviewing with is something all serious candidates know they need to do. First, they need to learn more about the job and role. Second, serious candidates will want to assess the company and determine if you have a company culture that matches their core values. If they send a generic resume that is not customized to the position, it’s a red flag and sign they may only be willing to do the minimum.

3. Negativity

Whether it is talking negatively in general or talking poorly about past employers, this is a red flag that this person could become a problem if hired. No one wants to work with someone who has a poor attitude.

4. Not asking questions

If a candidate is truly interested in working for your company, they will have questions about the organization. Not asking questions shows a lack of interest and lack of preparation.

5. Not dressing the part for job interviews

First impressions matter. Top candidates understand the importance of making a good first impression and dressing appropriately for the role. It shows they did their homework. Failure to dress for the role shows a lack of awareness.

However, these are only 5 red flags to watch out for when interviewing. Stay tuned for 5 more red flags in an upcoming post.