Is a Potential Candidate Too Good to Be True? Here’s How to Spot Inconsistencies!

A strong hire can be the difference between sustained growth or disaster in a fast-moving team. But not everyone is as great as they make their resume out to seem. The trick is being able to spot the inconsistencies between what they say they can do and what they have done in the past. In order to avoid high rates of turnover, here are a few helpful ways you can spot those red flags before you even make your dream candidate an offer.

 

A History of Short-Term Employment

While a work history with many different employers doesn’t necessarily mean your candidate is a job hopper, it does warrant a question or two in the interview stage. If, for example, the candidate was working a number of temporary contracts in order to build experience, that’s a legitimate reason and one that will probably prepare them better for working for you. If they say they left each job for more competitive pay or just didn’t like their co-workers or something similar, it’s worth thinking about how their departure might impact your overall team.

 

This Is Not Their Dream Job

When interviewing a candidate, ask what they are passionate about. What makes them get out of bed each day eager to take on new challenges and make a difference in the world? If it’s not something related to the job they are applying for, chances are they might not be a long-term employee. Work is an intensive investment for everyone. If it sounds like they would be bored or distracted on the job, they likely won’t be a great fit for the long term.

 

A History of Contention at Work

If your candidate speaks poorly about former managers and co-workers, that could be another red flag that they are a serial job hopper. Of course, everyone has people they don’t get along with at work, but the reality of a team environment requires a little give and take in order to ensure collaboration and communication are flowing smoothly. If it’s clear they have a hard time getting along with others, that is worth taking into consideration as you evaluate their application. If hired, they are likely to bring their personal issues along for the ride.

 

They Only Talk About Themselves

Even worse than speaking poorly about former co-workers is speaking solely about themselves in an interview. Every great team member is able to see how they are part of a greater effort. Their ability to work with your team will determine whether they really are as impactful as they say they are. Watch out for the tendency to take credit for everything good that was done on their last team, and a resistance to taking ownership of mistakes and inability to see where they could have learned important lessons from failures.

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