Take a peek into the brain of a hiring manager. In this episode I reveal the 5 interview red flags that will eliminate a job candidate from the running. Get set: they’re not what you think they are. In fact, you’re likely going into an interview stressing about circumstances that don’t even matter! Don’t worry - you’ll learn about the 3 factors that actually AREN’T red flags…so you can confidently ace your interviews.
Take a peek into the brain of a hiring manager. In this episode I reveal the 5 interview red flags that will eliminate a job candidate from the running. Get set: they’re not what you think they are. In fact, you’re likely going into an interview stressing about circumstances that don’t even matter! Don’t worry - you’ll learn about the 3 factors that actually AREN’T red flags…so you can confidently ace your interviews.
Hello, everyone and welcome to the CareerSequel podcast. I’m your host, Dr. Lee Koles and welcome to the first episode of 2023!
I love that we get to hit the RESET button every 12 months - just shake it all out and start fresh. For some of you, starting fresh may mean looking at new job options and that will eventually involve interviews.
Today’s episode comes from an article that I was asked to write for Fairygodboss. If you’re not familiar with Fairygodboss, it’s the largest online career community for women. It’s free - you get access to career-related articles and you can write in with job-related Qs. I’m one of the people who answers those questions, which is fun.
The most recent article that I’m writing has to do with interview red flags. This is from the hiring manager’s perspective. In my work as an industrial/organizational psychologist, I’ve designed interviews, trained interviewers on how to select the best candidate for the job and I’ve also been the one interviewing people.
There are certain things that will cause you to lose the job in an interview - things that will make the interviewer say, “NEXT!” - and you’re going to learn about them. If you’re thinking of transitioning to a new position, you’re going to love this episode. If you know someone who is looking to change jobs, be sure to share this episode. Some of these red flags may surprise you.
I’m also going to share some things that you may think are red flags, but actually aren’t. Or maybe they used to be considered red flags, but aren’t anymore.
My guess is that you’re spending a lot of time stressing about the wrong thing - things that don’t matter!
My goal is to have you giving a huge sigh of relief by the end of this episode. You’re going to know the biggest interview red flags - and once you know those, you can avoid them. You’re also going to put to rest all those things that are plaguing you - worrying you - that don’t matter.
Are you ready? Let’s do this.
First of all, let me begin by saying that the interviewer - or the hiring manager - is not the bad guy. The person conducting your interview desperately wants to meet you and love you. For the interviewer, it’s like speed dating. She has consecutive appointments with several people. Each time someone enters the room, her hopes are high - she wants you to be the One!
With this in mind, the first red flag for the interviewer or hiring manager is:
1.) The job candidate shows up late.
Let’s go back to that speed dating comparison. The hiring manager is sitting there. Waiting. And waiting. She had the expectation that the candidate would show up at a specific time and now that expectation has been proven false.
When something unexpected like this happens, your brain immediately tries to put it in context. You start making up stories.
The stories may give the candidate the benefit of the doubt - she got caught in traffic, she went to the wrong office…
Your brain can also make up stories about what being late means about the tardy person.
You can see how this could play out if you’re going on a first date and you’re sitting at a restaurant waiting and waiting: What begins with “oh, the weather is bad - hope he found a parking spot” can morph into “he had second thoughts,” “he’s inconsiderate”, “he took a look at me and decided to bail”.
In the job interview context, tardiness can lead the hiring manager to think, “he doesn’t really care about this position.” “It means nothing to him that he’s wasting my time.”
Which can so easily become: This person is selfish. Flippant. The kind of person who drops the ball.
Then the interviewer starts to imagine this ball dropper in her office. If the candidate is late to this very important meeting, how will he function if he actually has the job?
The red flag is officially raised.
I understand that some of us are habitually late - I totally get it. But there are certain situations when the difference between being late and being on time is life-changing. This is one of those times.
This is your very first impression. If it’s a Zoom interview, show up early. If it’s an in-person interview, arrive early. Give yourself extra time to drive there, find parking, find the appropriate room.
Preparing for your interview demonstrates that you are a reliable person who will represent the organization in a positive way.
Red Flag #2: The candidate hasn’t done her research.
Let’s go back to our dating analogy. Imagine that your date shows up - sits down across the table from you at the coffee shop. Says “hello”, starts to talk, but it is clear that she knows nothing about you. Even if you’re using a dating app, you should know each other’s general interests, a bit of personality from their tagline, you’ve seen some pictures so you can see them in different contexts. If your date hasn’t bothered to learn anything about you beforehand, the experience feels uncomfortable, unbalanced and one-sided.
The hiring manager knows a lot about the job candidate prior to the interview - she’s read a cover letter, application, she’s seen a resume detailing years of experiences. She knows your educational background. It’s going to be an uncomfortable, unbalanced and one-sided conversation if the job candidate hasn’t taken the time to do some research.
A candidate who goes into an interview “cold” without learning about the organization, it’s mission and philosophy or the job position sends a clear message which is, “I don’t really care about this job.”
The hiring manager wants a candidate that not only cares about the job, but cares about the organization. She will ask questions that assess the degree to which a candidate has done his “homework”; If you can’t speak to the organization’s history, mission and values (and these are all things that should be detailed on the company’s website and promotional materials), you will be tossed from the running.
The moral: Spend time researching the job opportunity and - if you know the name of the people conducting the interview - learn about them as well. Search online, check out the company website and look them up on LinkedIn to become acquainted with their background and experience.
The 3rd red flag for a hiring manager that will get you tossed out of the running is:
#3: The candidate complains about her previous position.
Did you have a poor experience in your past position? Keep it to yourself. There’s no need to badmouth or vent grievances.
Think about your hypothetical date. You’re sitting down for the first time with this person you’re excited to meet - and she starts talking about her ex: “Oh my god, he was toxic, we fought all the time, I tried to make it work, my friends kept telling me to break up with him - I finally did.” Please, no.
Regardless of who was in the right/wrong, the interviewer will wonder, “What’s the other side of this story?”
It’s also a small world. People are connected more than ever now. Never gossip or badmouth others - you never know about pre-existing relationships or connections.
If you need to explain a departure from a job, take a positive spin. Talk about what you enjoyed about the job (for example - “I had collaborative coworkers”, “I was able to hone my research skills”) and also what you are hoping to find in a future position (you can say, “I wanted to transition to a more flexible work schedule”). Go ahead and connect the dots to why you’re interested in the current job opening (for example, “I’m impressed by your company’s commitment to a diverse, inclusive environment.”).
Don’t allow your own negativity to be used against you. Frame your past experiences in a positive light and you’ll be seen as someone who brings harmony to the workplace.
The fourth red flag that will get someone tossed from the running: The candidate is low energy.
Low energy translates into disinterest and boredom. A date who sits across the table from you - doesn’t make eye contact, is monotone, asks you nothing about yourself - is NOT getting a second date.
A candidate who is flippant while discussing a job position is essentially saying, “I’m ambivalent about this role.”
If you want the position, enter the room prepared for a lively conversation. Show a genuine interest in the role by maintaining eye contact and answering questions thoughtfully and readily.
And remember: interviewing is a two-way street. Come prepared with questions of your own. You can ask:
#5: The candidate doesn’t follow up after the interview.
The interview isn’t over when it’s over. What you do after your meeting can determine whether or not you receive an offer.
Always follow up your conversation with a personal email to the interviewer. Thank him for his time, mention something specific that you learned or enjoyed (eg., “I appreciate the company’s commitment to fostering a supportive culture.”) and reiterate how you’d like to become a part of the organization.
Were you interviewed by multiple people? If so, send each person an email tailored to your specific conversation. It doesn’t need to be long; a short and thoughtful message can have just as strong of an impact.
If you really want to stand out, mail your interviewer a hand-written note. This is so easy - such a good way to get a leg up and be remembered - and people just don’t take the time to do it. If YOU do, you will set yourself apart as someone who’s thoughtful, purposeful and really wants to become part of the organization.
Think about it: If you go on a date with someone and want to see him again, you follow up. You don’t just say goodbye and never reach out again. That wouldn’t make any sense. And it doesn’t make sense if you do that after a job interview.
Now maybe you interviewed for a job and you forgot to send a thank you email or note. You were exhausted, stressed - you just didn’t get around to it. Of course it’s best to send a response in a timely manner, but late is better than never. Just send a thank you. Don’t grovel explaining why you’re late. You can begin your note by saying, “I keep thinking about how much I enjoyed our conversation. Thank you so much for taking the time to talk to me about X position…” - and add a sentence or two detailing what you admire about the company and why you’d be a great fit.
Did any of these red flags surprise you?
There are some things that people focus on and worry about SO MUCH that aren’t even red flags! Listen up and tell me if you’ve ever stressed about these things:
One is: Being nervous.
Don’t worry - this is not a red flag. It’s okay to be nervous. The hiring manager expects that a candidate may be nervous - at least at first. So don’t be nervous about being nervous. It’s natural and it’s usually because you care. Your brain senses that this is important to you and it releases adrenaline. A shot of adrenaline can serve you in an interview - it will perk you up and keep you on your toes, ready to think quickly and readily engage with questions. Nerves are natural.
Another thing you may mistake for a red flag: Your career break.
A career break is not a red flag. There are countless reasons why people step out of the paid workforce - child care, elder care, continuing education, relocation, illness are just some examples. LinkedIn even has a special place to describe career breaks in your profile. I have a lot of great episodes about career breaks that you can binge - (Episodes 2, 3, 11, 12 to name a few). You are going to feel fantastic about your break once you hear those.
Something else you’re worried about: You don’t have experience in the industry.
Nope. Not a red flag. The truth is that the skills you use in one job or industry can be used across industries. If you’re a teacher, you have skills that you can transfer into a corporate job. All you have to do is connect the dots for the hiring manager. I have a whole podcast episode on this: Episode 23: “How to Get a Job with No Experience”.
To recap, the 5 red flags that will cause a candidate to lose out on a job are:
Now that you’re aware of interview red flags you can avoid them. You will be so far ahead of most people if you avoid waving these 5 red flags. If you have a friend who's searching for a job or who is getting ready to interview, please share this episode with them. It will give them a leg-up - and if they’re fretting about those non-red flags, they will be able to relax.
Now get out there and go into your interview with confidence. You’ve totally got this. Until we meet again next week, take good care and know that I’m cheering you on!