1. Being late for the interview
Turning up after the scheduled time is an absolute no-no. Tardiness demonstrates that you are too complacent about the opening, cannot manage time and/or have little to no respect for others' time. Not being punctual says so much about your character.
If you are late for something as critical as a job interview, it’s one of the danger signs that indicate that you are a weak planner, failing to prioritize crucial meetings. This could be a pattern that might repeat with clients as well, which can negatively impact the company’s reputation. It could mean that you lack utter enthusiasm and interest in the job as well.
So, when you are late for a job interview without a good reason, we see you as someone who is not punctual and is casual about it, you are more than likely to get a no from us.
2. First impressions are important
When looking for green or red flags, we keep an eye out for how you behave from the moment they walk in through our company’s doors. If you are abrupt or excessively curt with passers-by or the receptionist, this could be a telling sign that you will potentially treat the support staff or direct reports in a less than pleasing manner.
With diversity being a key business driver and equality at the workplace having become a non-negotiable aspect in today’s times, hiring anyone with this behavior is amongst the most important hiring mistakes.
ALSO READ: Top 10 red flags Hardhat Professionals look out for from potential employers
3. The job hopper
Hiring and onboarding new employees comes at a time, resources and money cost, it is therefore critical for us to make as few hiring mistakes as possible. When you have an unsteady work history this might suggest that you have a tendency to hop about between jobs. You are also likely to leave your new job too soon.
While we strive to be unbiased during the recruitment process, we understand that you might have really good reasons to have job-hopped to this extent. In our hiring decision we consider the risk that you post to the business if you were to leave in a few months of joining.
4. The perfect or too-good-to-be-true candidate
Every now and then, perfect candidates present themselves. They are all we wanted. They have the perfect CVs, come with the right amount of experience, check all the boxes for the skills the company needs and have a ton of enthusiasm. They seem so perfect that we find it difficult to find even a singular instance of weakness.
Being too perfect or good to be true is a really big warning sign, so we are cautious. While it is possible that the candidate may actually be right, there is just as much a chance that the candidate may just be trying too hard to look perfect and get into the system. You know the saying: “if it seems too good to be true, it probably is.”
This does not mean we say an outright ‘no’. We try to distinguish between the must-have and good-to-have skills and competencies. And then, make a thought-through decision.
5. The ‘I, me, myself’ candidate
While as a candidate you can explain your skills and work history well in an interview, it is equally important for them to express from a POV how you can contribute to the company and business.
When you feel the need to talk about yourself a lot more than other things you are raising are red flags. When questioned about past projects, and your focus is on your singular contributions and not on the team’s efforts, this is a warning sign.
6. Unprepared, uninterested and/or vague
If you show up at an interview unprepared, it is a big red flag. You must come prepared with extra copies of their portfolios, CV and all other additional documents that might provide an insight on your skills. If they come unprepared, you may not be serious about the vacancy. This job might just be your plan B.
Similarly, if you show up not looking presentable, this might be a reason to reevaluate your candidacy. As a candidate you must show up looking the part.
Yet another potent warning sign might be your lack of interest in what we are saying and/or showing. If you avoid eye contact, lack enthusiasm and display an uninterested body language, you are probably a misfit for the organization and job.
Also, if you seem generic at the interview, we read that as one of the danger signs. If you give typical and vague answers to our specific questions, it might mean that you are not right for the role. You probably applied to our job along with many other jobs, all different.
7. Having no questions or too many demands
As a candidate you must have questions about the company and role. It shows your interest and the need to understand if you want to be part of the firm’s culture. Having no questions is a red flag.
Alternatively, if all you want to know is related to monetary compensation and benefits, this may mean that you are not really interested in the job per se. We may not want an employee who is not vested in the company’s growth. Compensation is key and there is no denying that. But, that cannot be your only thought.
Also, there is a lot of difference in negotiating rational employment conditions/provisions and making non-negotiable and upfront demands. Although it is okay to think you have the upper hand in the negotiation, making outright demands is a warning sign that shows that this behaviour may continue as an employee too.
8. Overfamiliarity
Confidence thrills, but cockiness kills!
When we post jobs and end up meeting a cocky person during the interview, we consider this a danger sign. Here’s an example to explain what we mean by ‘cocky’.
You as a candidate must not call the interviewer by his/her first name unless specifically requested. Using an endearment term or a nickname is unforgivably rude. You must also refrain from making inappropriate jokes, using strong or explicit language, oversharing, etc.
9. Speaking ill about past work relationships
At an interview, you are expected to be the best version of yourself. The millennials are, however, a more relaxed generation and may not seem too uptight. That said, nothing, absolutely nothing, opens up the floor for bad mouthing or negative portrayal of past work relationships.
It is unacceptable for you to badmouth former partners, employers and/or team members. Talking negatively about past work relationships is a definite red flag. This is one of those instances where we might be justified to even stop and reject you right away.
10. Questionable online presence
While this may not be an absolute deal breaker, in today’s information age and digital footprint, a lack of or questionable online presence can put you in the red flags’ box.
Today you can find out all you want to know about your prospective employer by simply looking them up online. Simultaneously, companies also can find all they want to about their potential employees.
When we look you up on Google, we skim through your social media profiles, read your blogs or posts, etc. and find questionable comments and/or photos, we might just not want to go ahead with this candidate.
We look for previous employer bashing, negative comments on posts that don’t match his/her ideology, sexist or racist comments or shares, etc. are massive red flags. If we find any or all such activities regularly, that is a STOP sign screaming out to us.
CAREERTIPS are compiled with the input from both industry employers and Professionals
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