Finding the right new hire for your company can be a challenge. You will likely run into red flags throughout the process, even with candidates who at first seem perfect for the role. It is important to spot these negative qualities before you make a final decision. The more you pay attention to your candidates, the more informed your hiring decision will be. When you spot these warning signs early, you can help keep your company from hiring employees who will not work out in the long run. Make smart hiring decisions by watching out for these reasons to turn down a job candidate.
Personality Does Not Fit
While skills and qualifications are an important part of your hiring decisions, they are not the only thing to pay attention to. Take the time to get to know your candidate a little better. Do they seem like they would get along with the rest of your team? Do they uphold the values of your business? Even if someone has all the necessary skills for the job, they will not thrive in the role if they do not fit the company culture.
Negative Feedback
It is hard to ignore a bad reference. Even if someone appears to be a great fit during the interview process, their previous employers might say otherwise. As with all considerations in the hiring process, you should take any negative feedback you hear with a grain of salt. To deal with bad references properly, you have to take the time to hear the full story. That said, if you obtain negative feedback about a candidate and do not receive a good explanation in their defense, you should probably move forward with someone else.
Lack of Passion for the Job
You want to hire someone who has a genuine desire to be a part of your company and mission. A lack of passion about the opportunity is one of the top reasons to turn down a job candidate. If someone is unresponsive in communications, has zero questions during the interview, or does not seem to care about the industry, they probably will not bring much enthusiasm to the role. You want your team to have a sense of personal drive and commitment to what you do. As such, someone who holds no passion for the job is not going to be your best choice.
