Recent data suggests that the average full-time U.S. employee works over 2,000 hours per year. With so many hours spent working (with the same people), it’s important they’re not miserable. A job interview is arguably the most important step for a candidate or potential employer to determine whether the opportunity available is the best fit. The interview moves beyond the phone call and the obvious qualifications and imparts specific employment history and cultural suitability. Below we’ve listed common red flags (given both by the candidate and employer) that dissuade a job offer or acceptance.
Candidates.
No questions. Not having any questions for the interviewer when the time is allotted. We highly recommend coming prepared for the interview with 3 questions that you can ask your interviewer at the end of the interview. This will show you came prepared for the interview and are serious about the role. If your questions have already been answered during the interview, you can reiterate the information given which will let the interviewer know you were fully engaged in the interview.
No research. Not knowing enough about the company, you are applying to. Studies show that close to 50% of candidates have failed a job interview due to a lack of information about the company applied to. Whether you’re applying to work at a fast-food chain or a multi-million-dollar company you need to do your research. Find their website online to learn more about the company. Reviewing their webpage may also propose questions to ask in the interview (two birds, one stone).
Using unprofessional language. Think about an interview as being on stage. Now is not the time to throw cuss words into the mix. You’re not talking gossip with your sister. You’re trying to land a job. If you’re comfortable enough to cuss in an interview you will be comfortable enough to cuss on the job, and hopefully not toward a paying customer. Practice how you play.
Being too forward. Asking about salary at the beginning of the interview. Ultimately you should not be accepting a position solely based on the salary. Eventually, the paycheck will not outweigh the lack of interest in the job you are performing. You should absolutely ask about salary as everyone has a desired salary, but it should be later in the interview if not already discussed.
Employers.
Lack of interest. i.e., Reading off a list of closed-ended interview questions with no option for the candidate to elaborate on their response. Your job in the interview is to get to know the candidate both personally and professionally. Of course, you’re not going to leave knowing their sister’s name, but merely reading through a list of questions shows that you could not be more uninterested in performing this interview, so why should the candidate be interested in pursuing this role? Today more than ever, candidates are leaving their options open when it comes to new employment, so you need to show them why they belong in your investment in them is just as important as their investment in you.
Not disclosing salary. If you’ve come to the point in the hiring process that you’re interviewing a candidate, salary is need-to-know information. If you perform an interview and are asked about the salary you should feel comfortable disclosing a number, if not a range, so the candidate knows if the position is worthwhile.
Talking around start-date. More commonly, employers are seeking to fill roles that they may not feasibly be able to fill right away. Unless otherwise stated, the candidate assumes if you are at the point of the interview, you are ready to hire them promptly. It’s extremely misleading to not disclose that your intention is to hire next quarter. Most candidates are more than willing to hold out for the right role, but you need to let them know how long they should expect to hold out.
Speaking badly about a current or previous employee. This truly applies to both candidates and employers. Aside from a lack of professionalism, this is a major red flag. A candidate will assume a toxic workplace culture and an employer will be turned off and desist opportunities (both present and future).
For further assistance in your job search or your search for qualified candidates, please call (518) 275-4816.
LATEST READS FROM WALRATH RECRUITING:
