#candidate-behavior

#candidate-behavior

These aren't obvious mistakes like showing up late or badmouthing a former employer. These are the invisible killers, the subtle behaviors that make hiring managers mentally move on while still going through the motions of the interview. Having sat on both sides of the table and watched my father navigate corporate interviews throughout his career with mixed results, I've seen how these small moments can derail even the most qualified candidates. The good news? Once you know what they are, they're surprisingly easy to fix.

Today's labor market may be stagnating, but it's also uncertain. Candidates aren't behaving as many leaders would expect. The dynamic is trending towards an employer's market. As a result, employers expect that candidates will increase their job searches, accept lower pay increases, and accept new roles more eagerly. But in reality, job searching has actually declined, pay expectations remain high, and candidates are reluctant to move.

For all of them, in the last 15-to-20 minutes, I give them an opportunity to ask questions-and if they don't have any, I think that's a pretty significant mark against them being curious about what they're interviewing, the company, the way we might work together, chemistry, culture, all of those things. That's a pretty big red flag.