You need to hire an individual to fill a vacant position. That sounds simple, but what you’re looking for is the right individual, and that takes some extra work. Picking the best person for the job happens mostly during the interview. During that meeting, you can identify signs and gather evidence indicating the candidate is not right for your organization.
Experienced hiring managers spot these red flags quickly because they know what they are looking for—bad attitude, poor preparation or an artificial demeanor, to name a few. You can learn to pick up on these signals by knowing what to expect.
Here are some of the red flags you should not miss, since they could give you a reason to regret your hiring decision if you do.
Bad-Mouthing a Former Employer
There are bad companies and bad supervisors, but talking about them negatively during an interview is poor form and sends you the wrong message. If this candidate is trashing their former employer, how long will it be until you’re the target of the bad-mouthing—maybe even as a discontented employee?
Your brand and reputation are critical to attracting top talent and new customers. It’s probably a good idea to pass on a candidate who could drag them down in the future.
Showing No Indication They Researched Your Company
Did you ever have a candidate kick off the small-talk part an interview by asking: “So, what do you guys do here?” That isn’t the best way to get short listed! Any candidate who displays a complete lack of knowledge about your products, services or customers didn’t take the time to do the most basic research to prepare for the interview.
Your prime candidates will arrive already knowing what products and services you offer, the challenges you face, and can communicate how they will be able to help you.
Being Rude to Lower-Ranking Employees
Another big red flag is reserved for candidates who are rude or arrogant to the “underlings” they come into contact with outside the interview room. For that reason, some companies allow workers to take part in their interviews to observe the candidate’s attitude toward them. Do they treat the hiring manager with deference, but talk over the heads or fail to give eye contact to workers? Does the male candidate seem especially annoyed by the questions from a female interviewer? This type of behavior could be a warning sign of trouble ahead.
Showing Up Late for the Interview
If a candidate can’t show up on time for this important meeting, what’s it going to be like if you bring them on board? Of course, there could be a justifiable reason for being late, but it could also stem from a lack of respect for you and your time. This candidate could be the future employee who keeps customers waiting, shows up late for meetings, and is tardy three out of five mornings.
Heed these red flags and move on the next candidate.
To learn more interview tips, contact our staffing professionals today.
