6 years ago
August 2, 2018

5 Unhirable Candidate Habits to Watch Out for During Interviews

You’ve gone through mountains of resumes in hopes of finding a candidate or two you think is the one. They have a great resume, seem to have all the qualifications,…

Rhys Metler

You’ve gone through mountains of resumes in hopes of finding a candidate or two you think is the one. They have a great resume, seem to have all the qualifications, and you’re excited that you have found a great candidate.

Unfortunately, the person portrayed on a candidate’s resume and the person who shows up for the job interview can be very different. On paper, they may seem great, but during the interview, you quickly begin to realize it’s not going to work out. It happens.

There are some telltale signs that will pop up during the sales job interview process that should put up some red flags. Here are 5 unhirable candidate habits you need to watch out for during interviews:

1. Too Much Job Hopping

Today, you can expect some job hopping. Candidates change jobs more frequently than ever. However, watch out for candidates who have a number of short-term stints with previous employers. It may be a sign they are not a good employee or they will leave when given the opportunity.

2. Too Much Focus on Compensation

Money is important, and candidates should care about it, but it should not be the focal point. Candidates focused solely on compensation, commission numbers, and perks may not be well suited for your team.

3. They Don’t Have Any Questions

All candidates should have questions for a potential employer. A job interview is just as much their opportunity to learn more about the company as it is for the interviewer to learn about the candidates. Not having questions is a sign the candidate didn’t do their homework or they are not that interested in the role.

4. Poor Communication Skills

Communication skills are vital in any role. If a candidate is a poor communicator, lacks listening skills, and you find it difficult to have a conversation with them during the interview, it may be a sign of things to come if you hire them.

5. Being Generic

If a candidate comes in for an interview and offers generic answers to the interview, has rehearsed answers, or even seems too polished, they may have something to hide or they may be lying.

More Sales Recruiting and Job Interview Advice

Reading Resumes? 5 Top Questions You Should Be Asking Sales Candidate References

Recruiting Millennials: 4 Engaging Ways to Hire Generation Y

The Top 5 Challenges for Modern Sales Recruiters

 


SalesForce Search is a sales recruiting company which specializes in the recruitment and placement of sales professionals. We recruit salespeople in every sector of the economy including, software, manufacturing, financial services and medical devices. Find the right salesperson for your organization, start your search here.

Rhys Metler

Rhys is a tenacious, top performing Senior Sales Recruiter with 15+ years of focused experience in the Digital Media, Mobile, Software, Technology and B2B verticals. He has a successful track record of headhunting top performing sales candidates for some of the most exciting brands in North America. He is a Certified Recruitment Specialist (CRS) and has expert experience in prospecting new business, client retention/renewals and managing top performing sales and recruitment teams. Rhys enjoys spending quality time with his wife, son, and daughters, BBQing on a hot summer day and tropical vacations.

salesforce-popup