There are many things that candidates do that recruiters really wish they wouldn’t, as they jeopardize their chances of being hired for the job. You’ll find some things you should avoid in this article, in case you’re a job seeker.
Unprofessional Email Addresses
According to ResumeCroc, unprofessional email addresses create an image of the individual that does not sound serious and estimable. That’s why recruiters wish that candidates would avoid using such email addresses when applying for jobs so they can take their application more seriously and increase their chances of being hired.
Showing Up Late
11 Recruitment says that being late to an interview can create a negative impression that is hard to overcome. It may make the interviewer question your commitment, reliability, and overall suitability for the position. So, do whatever you can to arrive on time for an interview.
Dressing Down
Dressing presentably for an interview is really important to recruiters. Indeed says that checking your clothing for pet hair, holes, or stains is essential. If you choose to wear a smart dress or a skirt, make sure it is knee length or below. If you wear suit trousers, make sure they’re well-ironed.
Generic Resumes
People who work in recruitment can spot a cookie-cutter resume a mile away. They know when you’ve used an AI tool to create your resume because it will use unoriginally coined phrases to describe your abilities and dedication to your work. A well-thought-out resume is far more impressive.
Not Asking Questions
Recruiters don’t like it when candidates finish an interview and don’t have any questions to ask about the job role. Prospects says that having a list of questions to ask an interviewer makes you look interested, enthusiastic, and engaged—all qualities that the employer will be looking for.
Confusing Confidence With Arrogance
CoachHub says that confidence becomes arrogance when perspective is lost and an individual loses humility. If a recruiter thinks that you’re being arrogant while answering the questions or displaying overconfidence, they might feel reluctant to hire you. They’re looking for someone whom they can train, not a know-it-all.
Changing the Interview Time
Recruiters like it when they set a time for an interview and the candidate shows up without any issues. Having to go backward and forward with candidates about interview times, altering them, and making exceptions doesn’t impress them at all. If you can, try to be flexible when arranging an interview.
Missing the Interview
Monster Jobs says that when you miss an interview, it immediately creates a red flag. Recruiters hate it when candidates fail to show up for interviews without trying to reschedule or giving an explanation. Do whatever you can to make it to your interviews if you want to be seriously considered for the job.
Unoriginal Cover Letters
Recruiters see the same style of cover letters day in and day out. They can easily spot a cover letter that has really had some thought put into it. To impress the people at recruitment, don’t present an unoriginal cover letter to save time.
Being Flustered
Recruiters like it when candidates take the interview process seriously. So, showing up flustered just in the nick of time to an interview won’t impress them. If possible, arrive a few minutes early so you can gather your thoughts, compose yourself, and give off the best impression.
Chewing Gum
In many countries, chewing gum is deemed very casual. So recruiters don’t like it when candidates present themselves for an interview chewing gum. You should definitely never chew gum while the interview is being conducted. Make sure you throw your gum away before you arrive.
Not Listening
Recruiters are busy, and they like to conduct interviews swiftly. Although they’re impressed when their candidates ask questions, they don’t want to have to repeat themselves unnecessarily. If you ask a question the recruiter has already answered, you might be showing that you weren’t listening.
Not Saying Enough
When a recruiter asks you to talk about your past experience and skills, they expect you to have something prepared to say. If you don’t say enough, they may conclude that you went to the interview without getting ready for it properly or that you are underqualified for the job.
Saying Too Much
Not saying enough in an interview is a problem, but so is saying too much. When a recruiter asks you a question, they expect you to answer it in detail, but you don’t need to keep speaking for minutes on end. If you don’t answer precisely, the recruiter will lose interest in what you say.
Lack of Research
Recruiters expect you to know and have researched a little bit about the company before you start working for them. So, if they ask you a question about the job role and you have no idea how to answer, it will seem like you are uninterested in the job and unprepared for the interview.
Ignoring Application Instructions
Recruiters know exactly what a candidate needs to do and how they need to answer questions to get hired for a job. So candidates who ignore questions on an application or try to whiz through an online hiring application form aren’t going to be considered for the job.
Slow Communication
A candidate who responds to emails promptly and picks up the phone right away when called is often considered to be taking things seriously. If you take days to respond to an email or don’t answer the phone when the recruitment company calls, they might think you aren’t interested.
Inappropriate Social Media
A candidate who has an inappropriate presence on social media might find themselves disqualified for a job before they have even applied for it. Many recruiters use social media to find out more about their candidates. So, make sure your profile looks professional, or keep it private.
