Red Warning Flags to Watch Out When You Hiring Staff

Hiring Staff

Hiring is tough. While there are plenty of applicants looking for jobs, talent and qualifications are scarce, especially in tech-related industries. Recruitment is a heavy burden to bear, as employee quality is a critical factor in a business’s success.

A business’ recruitment strategy must be sound if it wants to be a competitive force in the industry. Sifting through a multitude of new applications can be cumbersome, but it must be done. To speed up the process, there are telltale signs in potential applicants that can serve as warning flags for the recruiter.

Candidates who are untimely and unprepared

It’s tough to consider a hiring applicant serious for the job when they come in late and are unprepared for the interview. This shows their caliber of professionalism.

It’s also not unreasonable to expect that the applicant has done their homework about the company as well.

If the applicant is unable to dress professionally for the interview, it’s another signal that they’re not serious about landing the job.

Candidates who have applied for multiple jobs in the company

It’s normal to be wary of applicants who do this. Two scenarios come to mind and are, at best, an exercise of judgment.

First, they could be extremely desperate that they are just shotgunning their way through the process, despite their qualifications.

Second, it could be that the hiring applicant is so passionate about getting into the company that they are willing to take on any role.

Candidates who have poor health and wellness habits

Rather than becoming an asset to the business, applicants with poor health habits are more likely to end up as a costly liability to the company.

Substance users can pose safety issues in the workplace. Marijuana, for example, is a widely available drug that has seen legalization in certain parts of the world. A marijuana drug test kit can confirm whether an individual is under its influence, but it does nothing to deter the act. Random testing is an option but will require significant resources from the business’ coffers.

Candidates who have poor references

The best gauge of a candidate’s capabilities can usually be seen in their references. Having poor or insufficient references casts doubt on the past performance of the applicant.

A serious reference involves describing how the candidate performed in their previous jobs. Usually, the most useful references come from the applicant’s earlier managers and supervisors, as they’re more qualified to give a proper assessment.

Candidates with poor communication skills

A company is a high-stress, social environment. It takes a lot of communication to ensure that things work smoothly in a company.

A candidate with poor communication skills can be a major hindrance to teamwork and the smooth coordination of tasks. The ability to communicate effectively is part and parcel of being a productive employee.

Wrapping Up

Hiring is a tedious task, but it is essential in setting up the business for success. The burden lies on the recruiter to find the best talent for the job. It can be challenging, but it is not an insurmountable mountain to climb.

There are strategies to streamline the recruitment process. Spotting certain red flags on the applicants can make the process quicker. The recruiter can take advantage of these warning signs to quickly sift out problematic applicants.