Hiring great people is crucial to building a successful business, so it is important to know the warning signs to look for when you are interviewing a candidate.
Inc. shares the following red flags to watch for during the interview process.
- Badmouthing a previous employer. When you ask job candidates why they want to leave their current position, see whether they criticize their current or previous employer. This is unprofessional and can signal toxic behavior.
- Dishonesty and inaccuracy. Candidates should not be considered for a position if they fabricate experience, exaggerate qualifications or generally lie. You do not want an employee who is dishonest.
- Lack of research. A candidate does not care about the position if he or she has not put any time into researching your company’s mission, values, or products and services.
- Weak ethics. If you ask a question regarding an ethical dilemma, you do not want a vague answer that makes you question a candidate’s morals and judgment. You want an employee who will make an ethical decision when placed in stressful situations.
- Unclear career goals. When you ask why a candidate wants to work at your company, his or her answer should be tailored to the company and position rather than a canned or broad response.
- Avoiding accountability. Job candidates should accept responsibility for mistakes they have made in the past. If candidates blame others, they will not hold themselves accountable when they work for you.
- Inability to quantify achievements. You want job candidates who can provide specific examples and measurements that show their positive effect on a company. For example: “I made 20% more sales with a targeted marketing campaign.”
Be aware of these red flags when you are looking to hire a new employee so you can carefully choose someone who will be a true asset to your company.
