-
"If You Mess With My Serenity, You're Fired! Part Four"If you've read my previous 3 blogs, you've learned about 5 types of employees that can really take a toll on a very valuable asset to your company: your serenity.
And, that brings me to a common question. How can you spot a serenity-busting employee in the interview? Well, let's face it. Some people, no matter how problematic, interview very well and the dirt doesn't surface until later. However, I've traced back some tell-tale signs.
Signs of an "Ever-Innocent Flake"
Although this one almost always aces the interview.......Signs of an "Owner-Wannabe"- If you call a previous employer and they say, "I have no comment" OR "I have a policy not to verbally recommend anyone" That's often the code for "Flake." (Actually this former-employer response can indicate ANY type of problem employee.) Reason for the "code": an employer can't legally hinder a future job for someone, so they are not allowed to say anything derogatory.
- The interviewee is OVERLY, and I mean OVERLY enthusiastic about the job. That says to me right brain and left brain are not in synch. Thank you Julie Steelman, "The Effortless Yes" and the psychology of buying. It absolutely applies to employees. (This is also why we should never offer a job to someone on the spot. Make sure your potential employee has at least 24-48 hours to think over whether or not they really want the job.)
- Then of course, there is that classic on the resume: many different short term jobs in rapid succession. This is only acceptable if they have been working as a temp for an agency, or are in the military and move around.....even still, they should be at jobs for at least 1.5 years. And, frankly even the temp agency thing is questionnable, as many temp jobs are possible perm jobs....
- They are majoring in business as well as have technical skill in the industry you are in
- They tell you they want to own a business in your industry one day
- They ask questions that feel odd to you about your business, a little too close for comfort
- You feel flattered around them and want to mentor them
- They've never owned a business before (although they might have had a few projects here and there)
Signs of a "Darth-Downer"
- They are like 35 or 40 years old or older and have a history of taking really crappy jobs/bosses (AND they tell you the jobs/bosses were crappy)
- If you ask them what they think their biggest asset could be for the company, they will say something like...."I will totally fix the schedule book, the policies, the manuals...." (as opposed to sell more services or make the customers happy)
- If you ask them to name an experience where they made an angry client happy, they will have a weak answer. They won't be enthusiastic emotionally about any such experience
- They have little to no experience in sales or marketing, or just act un-enthused about it
- They will be normally be kind and nurturing towards you, even flattering in the interview, but exhibit at least one of the above qualities
Signs of a "prima donna."
- Obviously, they have an extremely impressive resume and aren't afraid to say so. In fact, that's a major thing they say they have to offer your company- their credentials
- They tell you that just by using their name, you will get slews of clients (whether it's true or not)
- They seem extremely overqualified and you feel compelled to pay them at a much higher rate than your other employees are getting.
Signs of a "perfect deflector."
- They call/text or email you, annoyed that you didn't respond to their inquiry yet.
- They seem impatient and tend to speak quickly
- They complain about their last employer or about something terrible that's happening in their life, at the interview.
How to Spot a Serenity-Busting Employee in the Interview (pt. 4 of series)
January 9, 2012
