5 Interview Red Flags to Watch Out For

Interviewing candidates for a job at your company is a huge responsibility. Choosing the wrong person will have a negative impact on your entire team, so you have to cover all the bases. This means both asking the right questions and reading between the lines on nonverbal cues. If the candidate exhibits any of the behaviors below, it’s probably best to move on to the next.

5 Interview Red Flags to Watch Out For

Lack of Specific Work Examples

Past experience is the best indicator of future performance. Therefore, it’s very helpful to learn about a candidate’s previous work experience, as it relates to the job at your company. If the person has trouble coming up with any relevant examples that showcase their fit, this is a problem. Take this as a sign they might not be the best person for the job.

Speaking Poorly of a Former Employer

It’s no secret that people often leave jobs because of a bad boss or a poor cultural fit. However, balanced candidates have a way of putting a positive twist on negative aspects of current or previous jobs, so they don’t appear disgruntled. If the person doesn’t do this, and instead bashes their current boss or a previous employer, you don’t want them on your team. Think of it this way, if hired, it’s only a matter of time until they’re complaining about you in a job interview with another employer.

Disheveled Appearance

In most cases, it’s not good to judge a book by its cover, but there are exceptions — i.e., a job interview. Failing to put on clean clothes and adhere to proper grooming standards is a must. If a candidate shows up looking largely unkempt, this is likely a sign of a deeper issue. Perhaps the person isn’t really interested in the job or is just too lazy to put any effort into their appearance. Either way, this isn’t someone you want on your team.

Minimal Knowledge of Your Company

You can’t expect candidates to be experts on your company, but you should expect them to know the basics. If the person clearly hasn’t reviewed your website, blog, and social media pages, they probably aren’t that excited about the opportunity. Your company is a great place to work, and you deserve a new hire that shares this sentiment.

Questions Not Pertaining to the Work Itself

It’s not wrong for candidates to want answers to questions involving salary, benefits, and vacation, but there’s a time and place. If the person touches on these topics during the first interview, this is a probably a sign they’re not interviewing for the right reasons. You want someone who is passionate about the work itself — not just the paycheck and perks.

Choosing the right new hire is hard work, so improve your focus by simplifying your workload. ECS has provided employer-of-record services to recruiters and employers since 2000. Contact us today to simplify the process of hiring and managing a contingent workforce!

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