Even in today’s hot employment market, it’s important to remember the basics about putting your best foot forward during a job interview.
Here are some of the most common red flags that HR experts have noted:
Coming unprepared to an interview. According to The HR Digest, one of the biggest interview red flags for employers is candidates who turn up unprepared for an interview. If a prospective employee hasn’t taken the time to try to learn anything about the company, it shows a lack of initiative.
Recruiters interviewed for a recent CNBC article said that even if the interview was solicited by a recruiter, interviewees should at least do some basic research about the prospective company and prepare a few questions. By no means should a candidate act like they’re doing a recruiter a favor by taking a call about a potential job.
Glossing over job-hopping. According to recruiters, employers have become used to seeing short stints on resumes. However, prospective employees should be prepared to explain why they’re looking for a new job so soon after a brief tenure at another company. Employers are more sensitive than ever to the risk of an employee not staying in a job for long, or worse, not even showing up to work.
Speaking poorly of a current or former employer. Rather than criticizing an employer, the interviewee could frame their experience in terms of what they’re looking for in a new environment.
Projecting an unprofessional image. The interviewing process has become somewhat more casual, with many interviews conducted virtually on video calls. However, good business etiquette and preparation are still in order. As Robert Half advises, it remains important to prepare and dress like you would for an in-person interview. You should also make sure you have a strong internet connection, your video software is working and that background noise and distractions are minimized.