What are the real reasons why candidates don’t get hired?

Each year, ManpowerGroup publishes a great resource called the “Interview Handbook”. It’s full of excellent information about candidates who are going through the interview process. Here are the ten reasons why candidates don’t get hired. Maybe you share their conclusions.

  1. Poor attitude.  Many candidates come across as arrogant.  While employers can afford to be self-centered, candidates cannot.
  2. Appearance. Many candidates do not consider their appearance as much as they should.  First impressions are quickly made in the first three to five minutes.  Review your appearance checklist.
  3. Lack of Research. It’s obvious when candidates haven’t learned about the job, company, or industry prior to the interview.

   4. Not having questions to ask. Asking questions shows your interest in the company and the position.  Prepare a list of intelligent questions in advance.

   5. Not readily knowing the answers to interviewer’s questions. Anticipate and rehearse answers to tough questions about your background, such as recent termination or an employment gap.

   6. Relying too much on resumes.  Employers hire people, not paper.  Although a resume can list qualification and skills, it’s the interview dialogue that will portray you as a committed responsive leader.

   7. Too much humility. Being conditioned not to brag, candidates are sometimes reluctant to describe their accomplishments.  Explaining how they reach difficult or impressive goals helps employers understand what you can do for them.

   8. Not relating skills to employers’ needs.  A list of sterling accomplishments means little if you can’t relate them to a company’s requirements.

   9. Lack of Career Direction. Candidates who are not clear about their career goals often can’t spot or commit to appropriate opportunities.  Not knowing what you want wastes everyone’s time.

  10. Job Shopping. Some candidates particularly those in certain high-tech, sales and marketing fields, will admit they’re just “shopping” for opportunities and have little intention of changing jobs.

I would be interested to know if you share ManpowerGroup’s findings.

Ken

Ken Lazar, CEO

Ability Professional Network

(614) 403-6079

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