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.

Surprised by the tattoo issues though. I work for a consultancy and most of those under 40 have at least one. I can imagine banking and high end law might have an issue but I thought they were pretty much accepted these days.

All my interviews are remote, so this is my recent list of rejecting candidates:

• using ChatGTP to answer questions
• having someone in the room - off camera - to provide prompts
• did a first interview, pushed someone forward to second -they slagged me off to the 2nd interviewee
• answering very different questions with exactly the same answer - 5 questions on the go
• being very difficult to understand
• over-egging experience - very easy to find out in interview

That's fine and understood. But just saying 'it's not' just undermines my main point about it being illegal to discriminate. If you feel strongly about this being wrong then it's probably better to back it up with a subtle correction.

Someone simply expressing their gender identity (like using pronouns) is enough to be covered by the Gender Reassignment protected characteristic. That was my point and it still stands.

Lots of things already said so I’ll go for sullen. No one wants someone bouncing off the walls happy/enthusiastic, but sullenness that goes past nerves would put me off.

It’s disturbing how many people are citing obesity as a reason not to hire. My boss appears obese but actually has a severe under active thyroid which causes her weight gain. She’s one of the most physically active gung ho people I’ve ever known. Horrible how blinkered and prejudiced posters on this forum can be.

Yes this . I am sick to the back teeth of people applying for roles in my team which require a specific QUALIFICATION and EXPERIENCE but people apply with neither of them … such a waste of time sifting through CVs within the application process, having to reject them etc when they need not apply at all. Add to this those who want a pre interview ‘chat’ before they apply and ask me then how important the qualification is - FFS it’s in the ‘essentials’ bit of the job description, people.
Can you tell I’ve had to do three rounds or recruiting this year and this really grinds my gears!

No it isn’t. Me, a straight “cis” female putting “she/her” after my name is not going to give me the PC of gender reassignment, based on the definitions in the Equality Act. It may be covered under religion and belief, but (a) it’s not been tested yet as far as I know and (b) they’d need to establish that was the reason they were refused employment.

How many of them were men, out of interest?

In your case it would be illegal under 'Sex'. For those that were not hired because they put anything other than what they "appeared" to the interviewer to be would be illegal under 'Gender Reassignment'. Even prosing to change gender is enough to be covered.

(a) As far as I know it hasn't been tested, but given then number of people who have said it here, it's only a matter of time
(b) as will all cases of discrimination in employment law it would need to be established as the reason. It would be hard to prove unless there was proof, true, but if there was it would be hard to argue.

CharlieKirkRIP just said what we all know happens 😥

Pronouns.
Long, waffling applications which don't reference the person spec.
Applications that look generic and possibly written by AI.

Someone who seems to spend all their bloody time posting on LinkedIn. I assume they're all personal PR and little/no results/substance. Or worse, they're really poor performers just good at social media. Based on experience of colleagues and contractors who do that.

Dishonesty

closely followed by poor work ethic and lack of ability to listen

I see I'm not alone in being put off by pronouns. I wish someone would tell the young'uns how off-putting it is. I suspect a lot of them don't even have strong views on trans/gender issues, they've just been led to believe that stating your pronouns is the progressive, modern thing to do. If only they knew how many employers see it as a red flag.

how about a thread about all the appalling interviews people have had to sit through. Employers and HR are responsible for a lot of misery just in what they subject people to via their hiring practices. Endless rounds of interviews, tasks, ghosting candidates, using interviews as a consultancy exercise.... people forget that interviews are as much about you assessing the employer as the other way around.

Oh I've had that one. I've also been asked whether I rent or own, whether I was planning on getting pregnant and whether I've got a bad back (for an office based role).

Of course, if fat people couldn't get jobs this would just confirm his/her idea that they're lazy scroungers.

They didn't say visable tattoos did they. They said tattoos. I wore a jacket to my interview but I have my arms out in thr office when I am there, therefore making them visible. Doesn't impact my job a jott

Smelling of cigarettes or vapes.

Yep, trouble ahead

@MagpiePi actually I’d say 50/50 tbh

Why can't you believe it? Lots of people are fed up of that rubbish and people that indulge in gender ideology and an over obsession with their pronouns are hard work. Pass on by for someone else.

Is it really required though? I ask the question because my ds is looking for a job at the moment and I've been having a look through adverts out of interest and the number that require experience when anyone with a few brain cells could do it with a few weeks training (or less time) is quite extraordinary eg retail work (which I was able to get at 15 with no work experience whatsoever).

The best example was working in a local bubble tea bar where you needed a year's barista experience.

And sometimes a job DOES need the experience and qualifications but the salary is barely above minimum wage, so of course graduates and those looking for entry level jobs are going to apply anyway.

And in Liverpool, the Sun....

Very fair comment!