What would be the one thing that put you off hiring someone?

[greyrabbits]

Of all the things that would put you off giving someone a job, what’s the one thing that’s a definite no thanks.

That's my point - hundreds of applicants apply and yet people who put feet on the table, are late, slug off their employer or call the interviewer "sweetie" are attractive enough in their CVs to make it through the selection?
Maybe they are not that bad in their job then if they have been successful over hundreds others at the initial stage.
I am generalising of course but do you see what I mean?))
If I have made it through to the interview I am on my absolutely best behavior. How are other people not?
Or are we talking about very different jobs and levels of competition?

I have numerous tattoos. Including a full sleeve, leg and back piece. I’m the most successful in my company. A tattoo hasn’t got in the way of me picking up the phone or attending meetings.

Unless you’re in a weirdly archaic corporate business I don’t see how it’s relevant, providing no one has a swastika tattooed on their head.

You know that's actually illegal?

I do…. the lady who called me “sweetie” had a great cv. didn’t make it through the first stage of interviews though.
I think people’s interpretation of best behaviour varies….
In the end we hired a lovely unassuming guy who’s experience wasn’t as good as the lady’s but we can let him loose with clients or management without having to worry.

Someone who asked them receptionist to make him a "lovely cup of tea."

Someone who had the cricket playing on another screen whilst I was doing a zoom interview, then told me about it.

Someone who started their anwers with "As it says on my cv" or "As I said.."

Someone who dialled into a phone interview whilst driving his car and seemed to think we wouldn't notice.

Someone who turned down an interview with Head of Sales because he only had time to speak to the VP.

On the other hand I once complained about a woman interviewing me who was horrifically hungover, reeked of booze and spent the first 10 mins banging on about their summer party the night before and what time she'd got to bed.

I agree that interpretation of best behaviour varies but most examples here are just obviously anti-social in general, not just in the interview environment.
And yet, people are acting this way.

I once got the feedback via the agency that I didn't look polished enough. I am naturally very curly and they would have expected straightened hair. Apparently having curls make me unprofessional. Was only a few years ago.

DH has had some pretty terrible answers to questions a out being respectful of cultural differences. Which is essential in his role.

Also they do social media checks and found some awful things and refused people a job.

Over the years I've had people admit in interviews that their parent or partner or friend wrote their cv/form. And in the modern day Chat GBT etc means everyone has beautiful polished cvs.
I do a short video call with all vaguely qualified applicants now, as you can't screen letters and cvs effectively anymore.

Candidates that are potentially troublemakers and also, not bright enough to recognise that is how many people interpret these signals now.

Meanwhile on planet reality, many bosses will turn down people who declare this stuff before they're offered a job.

Hiring managers (and I've been one) are looking for someone who can do the job, fit in with the team and not take up a disproportionate amount of time with distractions which are nothing to do with the business.

These people have handily given you all the signs that they'll be a pain in the arse and it's very easy to find another reason not to shortlist or recruit them.

I'm so glad I'm retired now, my heart goes out to anyone who has to manage some of the entitled and deluded characters I hear about from my ex-colleagues.

Face piercings 🤢 and strong perfume/aftershave.

I'd also be reluctant to hire someone with false nails and wearing lots of jewellery. Definitely not allowed to wear them whilst working so why wear them for interview?

So many having issues with nose piercings is madness. Especially as some have them done due to their culture. Crazy place.

I had a candidate (for a grad level role) who told me in the interview he'd got his brother to take the online maths test. Not only a cheater but a bit stupid with it!

I turned down someone who was aggressively into EDI. Literally all he talked about. All his questions were like how can I get in here and make it all about EDI. It wasn’t an EDI-related role.

Nope. I thought he was a clear troublemaker to be honest.

Yeah I agree with this. It’s too stressful.

I know I will be slated for this!

I absolutely cannot stand it when someone says “haitch” for the letter H. When I was recruiting for a job where there are daily references to the NHS, I had to eliminate anyone who said H. I knew it would drive me insane.

Any hint of misogyny, racism or general Daily Mail think would also be an immediate rejection.

Well, yes. Shows lack of discipline and respect on both counts.

I did see a woman with "no pain" tattooed on her neck just last weekend on the underground.

in my mind i read it as no brain

So not covered with clothes..

yes, just to say I think people were talking about visible tattoos.

There is a musician I love but he is absolutely covered - including neck and hands - and that puts me off him irrationally

I mean I was shocked someone would turn up in joggers!

I never interviewed anyone but been a note taker during a few of recruitment drives. From my experience, those who got rejected for roles for the retailer were:
. Stunk of weed
. Slouched in the chair the whole time
. Mumbled
. Could tell they lied about their careers
. Females wearing jeans with more holes than Demin and a crop top - that is not interview wear. Males in tracksuits
. Slagging off your previous employer
. Swearing

I probably was a note taker in 35-40 interviews. Some candidates had at least half of those examples.

I turned down someone for this as well but funnily enough he was all for LGBTQ+ inclusion, shoehorned it into every answer - even admitted to being on a crusade, always shared his views with everyone he dealt with and reported them to HR if they objected but when it came to talking about a colleague who was most likely ND he had no tolerance for them at all and reported them to HR too. Dropped him without a question - not sure he understood that the point of private company wasn’t to promote his politics - not surprisingly he was in the civil service!

But mine can be visable. I have a full sleeve on one arm. You wouldnt see it if I wore a jumper.

Would my offer be taken back on day one if someone saw a glimpse of tattoo. Is a ridiculous stance to have