If you’re actively looking for a new job, the first person you need to impress is a recruiter, so they’ll put your resume in the pipeline. “I’m the go-between between a business owner or hiring manager and the person looking for a job,” says Karen Vasconi, founder of Career Connections Associates, a job placement agency in Mount Kisco. “When I pre-screen a candidate, part of what I’m doing is making sure there won’t be any red flags when I make a recommendation.” People who do the following are not likely to make the cut:
1. Prioritize Perks out of the Gate
While Vasconi welcomes questions from job seekers about a company they may apply to, prioritizing the ‘extras’ too soon can be cause for concern. “If your first question for me is, ‘When can I start asking about vacation time’ or ‘When will my 401K be matched,’ that’s a red flag,” Vasconi says. “Early on, you should be thinking of what you can do for the employer, not the other way around. You want them to love you and not be able to live without you before discussing time off.”
2. Play Fast and Loose With Facts
Your resume holds the keys to your employment record, so exaggerating a job title or hiding the fact that you’ve had short stints at lots of different companies can be a major issue. Ditto if you can’t explain a major gap in your work life. “It’s fine if a person was doing gig work, abroad doing a contract assignment, or home raising a child,” she says. “However, it’s a huge red flag if you can’t explain the gap or if you seem uncomfortable about it.”
3. Blow off Preliminary Prep
After doing a pre-screening conversation, Vasconi expects candidates to jump on taking care of assigned tasks, such as researching the hiring company, providing current references, and thinking through how to answer interview questions. When someone comes ill-prepared after she clearly reviewed expectations, that’s a thumbs down.
4. Dress Too Casually
If you dress inappropriately for the interview, a potential employer may think this is how you would dress in the role.
5. Publicly Share Social Media
It’s very likely a potential employer will look at a candidate’s social media accounts during the vetting process, so every account you have needs to be accurate and kept private. “If your LinkedIn profile doesn’t match your resume, this can be a red flag,” she says. “Hiring managers are also looking at your X and Instagram accounts, so if you’re looking for a job, close those accounts or lock them down.”
6. Lay Low During the Interview
There’s no excuse for being late or seeming disinterested. “Be prepared to speak about yourself, the business, and the industry as a whole,” Vasconi says. “At a minimum, you should listen carefully, ask questions, and find a way to say something nice about the company.”
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