6 Pet Peeves Recruiters Don’t Want to See During Interviews

Preparing for the interview doesn’t have to be nerve-wracking. It’s often a good idea to carry out a Google search on the types of questions frequently asked during interviews.

Unfortunately, recruiters, who are tasked with interviewing you in order to assess your strengths and weaknesses, have already heard all of the typical lines candidates provide during the interview process, and it’s definitely part of their job to take note of the kind of answers they receive, which, depending on the circumstance, can either be impressive or run-of-the-mill.

A recruiter from Stack Overflow talks about how commonly these “magical phrases” are uttered during job interviews. In addition, most recruiters also find certain applicant behavior quite troublesome:

So what can you do to avoid the dangerous pitfalls, ace your interview, and impress recruiters? Avoid these pet peeves:

1. Proclaiming insincere “magical phrases” to make yourself look good

It’s highly likely recruiters have already heard everything you have to say in previous interviews with other applicants. The difference, however, is that “magical phrases” can seem insincere and unhelpful.

For instance, if the recruiter asks you to about your ability to cope under pressure, you’ll likely say that it takes a lot before you get rattled at work. While this sounds ideal, the question must be answered honestly because recruiters are interested to know how you deal with stressful situations. Instead of saying that you don’t get stressed out, tell the recruiter about a time when you felt stressed and what steps you took to overcome it.

2. Being late and exhibiting unprofessionalism

This is an understandable pet peeve. No one likes it when people are late because lack of punctuality wastes everybody’s time, especially the recruiter’s. Plus, tardiness exhibits unprofessionalism and disregard for the time and efforts of other people.

Always remember that recruiters are also working for the company, and the time you waste by being late is time wasted on their behalf. If you can’t be professional enough and show up on time, how will the recruiter ensure that you can accomplish other tasks efficiently?

3. Showing indifference or excessive agreeability

This is a case of two extremes. You can either be indifferent to the ideas presented by the recruiter, or you’ll try to please them too much and agree with everything they say.

The truth is, even if you want the job, a company doesn’t want you to become a yes man for them; you don’t have to parrot things back to your recruiter!

Likewise, showing indifference is also a pet peeve. Don’t tell your recruiter that your primary motivation is receiving a paycheck. This only means that you lack enthusiasm for the kind of work that the job offers. Most people who are unenthusiastic don’t stay long in a position and often don’t perform well – no recruiter wants that.

4. Ignoring the recruiter’s feedback

When the recruiter assesses whether you’re right for the position, it means that they’ve considered all aspects that could contribute to your performance at the company. Keeping this in mind, your recruiter has accumulated knowledge when it comes to such job positions, so receiving constructive feedback helps guide you for the position.

5. Acting like a know-it-all and being impolite

It’s often a show of disrespect when applicants act like know-it-alls who don’t listen to constructive feedback from recruiters. Doing so implies arrogance.

The key is to present your skillsets and accomplishments without making it sound like you know the solution to everything. Stay grounded by being realistic about your strengths and weaknesses, sharing stories about your experiences, and being humble enough to acknowledge that everyone makes mistakes.

Additionally, you must also avoid being impolite and abrasive: being disrespectful of other people and having a poor attitude reflects on your relationships with other people.

6. Showing ignorance about the company

Lastly, when a recruiter is hiring the right candidate, one of the considerations is whether the applicant has done research about the company they’re applying for. Researching the basic details such as industry, names of executives, and their competitors means that you’ve come prepared and that you’re really interested in the kind of position the company has offered. You can also prepare certain questions which you can ask the recruiter. All these can make your job interview an impressive and unforgettable experience.

Final thoughts

It always pays to be proactive when dealing with problems concerning job interviews. Keep in mind that you need confidence in yourself and show the recruiter that you’re dedicated and determined enough to take the role more seriously. When it comes to the things you need to say in an interview, always stay objective and avoid negative rants. Remember, the first steps towards your future begins today.