Anyone can look good on paper. That’s why hiring managers conduct the interview process to help discern any candidate red flags the resume might have hidden. This is especially important in the hospitality industry, where employees come in direct contact with your customers. Choosing the wrong person could negatively affect your ability to keep the lights on long term. So, here are some of our best tips for spotting what’s wrong with a potential job candidate – before making a costly mistake that could cost you thousands of dollars.
Failed to research your company
Walk away from the candidate who doesn’t understand what you do. We know everyone is very busy but failing to research the company you’re interviewing with shows a lack of attention to detail. Think about it for a second: The candidate failed to prepare for a big interview tied to their ability to make money, pay bills and potentially, feed their family. Is this the kind of person you really want on your team?
Can’t provide crucial details
If the candidate has a glowingly detailed resume but no facts to back it up, there’s a problem. If you’re using behavioral questioning, this may be easier to spot. While candidates may have canned answers, be sure to ask secondary follow-up questions to seek clarification. But beware of the candidate who talks about a managerial role but cannot describe a time when they handled a difficult situation in the business.
Arriving late to the interview
While we know traffic happens, arriving late to an interview not only shows a problem with time management, but also a lack of respect for the interviewer’s time. Could a late interviewee signal a pattern of behavior that will make you regret hiring them later on? Highly likely.
Avoids responsibility for anything
We’ve all interviewed this candidate. It’s the one who has an answer for everything and never takes responsibility for anything that went badly at work. If the candidate seems to blame their bosses, or co-workers, or the company without ever reflecting on their own contribution to what happened, it could signal a problem. Listen carefully to how they reflect back on the roles they’ve had; avoid candidates who bash their employers. There’s a good chance, if they’re talking badly about past employment, at some point they’ll do the same for your company – perhaps even while they’re still on the job.
Hiring Doesn’t Have to be a Gamble
Ultimately, trust your gut during the hiring process. If something seems off, it probably is. When the unemployment market is low, it’s harder to find quality candidates. But that doesn’t mean you should ignore these, or other red flags you may notice during the interview process.
Gecko Hospitality employs a variety of techniques to ensure you find the right fit the first time. Our experienced team may be exactly what you need to spot candidate red flags and put your hiring process back on track. Contact leading hospitality recruiters today.
