Good candidates get hiring managers excited. Finding someone who has the right experience for an opening or the proper education for a role is a highlight of an HR recruiter’s day. Still, no matter how qualified a candidate might be, the interview is a crucial factor in assessing if someone is really a good fit. Meeting face to face gives candidates and hiring managers the opportunity to get to know someone on a deeper level and gain more insight into what a resume doesn’t reveal. Here are some things to look out for that might indicate an applicant shouldn’t continue to move forward after an interview.
- Lateness: Running late shouldn’t automatically disqualify someone from a job offer, but how they handle setbacks is essential. Were they communicative ahead of time? Do they make excuses? How they handle running or arriving late to an interview can tell you a lot about how they’ll handle job stress and communicate under pressure.
- Badmouthing: If a candidate has nothing but negative things to say about their past employer, this could be a bad sign. A previous bad boss or experience with a disorganized company can certainly be discussed during an interview – often in the context of how they handled a less-than-ideal workplace scenario – but it shouldn’t be infused with bitterness, name-calling, or a generally unprofessional attitude.
- Inconsistency: If there are significant discrepancies between what an applicant says in an interview and what was on their resume, it’s probably a sign that they’re not entirely truthful about their experience, which could be bad news for your business.
- Lack of knowledge: If the candidate seems exceedingly unfamiliar with the details of the job they’re interviewing for or the company itself, these are indicators that they might not be all that interested and aren’t looking to stay on board long-term. Candidates don’t need to be experts, but they should have a working knowledge and show enthusiasm for your company.
If you’re looking to find top technical talent for your organization, our team can help. We have years of industry knowledge, and our expert recruiters know exactly what to look for when screening candidates to ensure that you’re matched with the best potential employees. Give us a call today.
