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I work in HR and am also currently looking for a position as I was laid off. I am contracting right now but want a permanent role. The behavior I have seen from other so-called 'professionals' has made me ashamed to tell people that I work in HR.
With that being said, there are really only a few red flags that will cause me to automatically disqualify a job applicant:
1) Catching him/her in an outright lie-I had one who listed her job as a 'sales manager' on her resume and during the interview, she told us that she had actually been a 'sales support specialist'--but that she actually did all of her boss's work.
2) Refusing a drug/background check-Now why would you do this when it states this on the application and I told you this was required? Guess you didn't want the job that badly AND you have something to hide...
3) Candidate seemed bored and rushing through interview-Kept interrupting us, looking at clock, asked if it was almost over, stated he had somewhere else to be--yeah, it was over alright.
I've had candidates who were quiet due to nervousness, one who was so nervous she threw up, a guy who forgot to take his gum out, a stutterer, and so on. I didn't disqualify any of these since sometimes people are going to be nervous at interviews and I try to look beyond this. I have had people show up late for interviews due to getting lost, issues with traffic, or emergencies and didn't disqualify them since sometimes these things happen as well. I didn't regret hiring them.
My personal take is that sometimes we are so focused on finding what is wrong with the individual we lose sight of what is right with the person.
3) Candidate seemed bored and rushing through interview-Kept interrupting us, looking at clock, asked if it was almost over, stated he had somewhere else to be--yeah, it was over alright.
Actually, my take on the people who appear bored and uninterested, is that they are only at the interview to remain qualified for their unemployment benefits. One requirement for unemployment is to be actively seeking work. A lot of people will flub interviews on purpose to continue collecting.
I'm in a small city in a relatively uncommon line of work with little formal hierarchy. Those are worthless for learning about a specific position.
Similar story here. Salary variations can be huge and it's difficult to research small companies without an inside contact. One company may want to pay 35k (and complain about the skills shortage) while another will pay 100k+.
I've asked about drug testing. Many companies do it and some list it in the ad. What's the problem with asking about it? I don't do drugs so I don't have a problem taking the test. I've had issues trying to get one scheduled a few times....hard to do that when you are currently employed and the testing facility is not anywhere near where you are currently working.
This.
Ethically I resent being required to take a drug test as a condition of my employment...I have never done drugs in my entire life but I don't think recreational use of marijuana should exclude people from employment. (Assuming it's only done after work/on weekends).
That being said, I will pee in a cup if I have to. Principles don't pay the bills. But some of these testing centers have bizarre hours and VERY inconvenient locations.
When someone asks me immediately if a drug test is required that throws up a huge red flag that they may have issues that could limit their abilities to do their jobs correctly.
I had a guy once ask me during a phone interview if we drug tested. My colleague and I both answered yes. I asked if he would have any issues and he said yes. He then went on to tell us that he had Crohn's (I have a close friend who has this) and his doctor prescribed him marijuana to help with the pain. He then asked us not to contact his doctor about it as he would deny it since it isn't legal in our state. At least he was honest, but his application went directly to the trash.
We couldn't risk hiring anyone who used drugs as they operate million dollar machinery that could quickly kill someone if their judgment were impaired. I don't do drugs so I've never had any issue with being asked to take a drug test. I'm all for it.
I think we may be talking about two different things. There's a difference between, "What is the next step? Do you need references and will I be required to take a drug test?" vs "Any questions about the job?" "Yes, do I have to take a drug test?"
Asking as part of the process vs some concern about having to take the test. The first would not raise a red flag for me, but the second would.
I once interviewed a guy who told me that he wanted to work there because Jesus told him to apply. Well, that might have been a great reference, but we didn't hire him.
I think we may be talking about two different things. There's a difference between, "What is the next step? Do you need references and will I be required to take a drug test?" vs "Any questions about the job?" "Yes, do I have to take a drug test?"
I wouldn't ask if I had to take a drug test, but I would be offended if I was required to take one and not informed until after I had invested time and effort into preparing for an interview and being interviewed. I don't do drugs, but, given any choice at all of jobs, I would want to avoid working for an employer whose management thinks asking everybody to pee in a cup is reasonable.
I wouldn't ask if I had to take a drug test, but I would be offended if I was required to take one and not informed until after I had invested time and effort into preparing for an interview and being interviewed. I don't do drugs, but, given any choice at all of jobs, I would want to avoid working for an employer whose management thinks asking everybody to pee in a cup is reasonable.
It's not that simple. Some companies require drug testing to comply with requirements from the insurance agency. Failure to comply with this request can result in a policy cancellation. So.... would you rather pee in a cup to keep health benefits or refuse it and lose them altogether? Which will you complain about more?
You shouldn't assume that management makes that decision to be jerks, as that policy is typically set by someone other than management.
For example, if you drive a delivery truck or work around heavy equipment, insurance is going to require drug testing records on file. If you get hurt, a drug test is mandatory.
If you're going to be around money, a drug problem could result in you stealing from the company to support an addiction. If you work around customers, a drug problem could lead to behaviors that would not shine the best light on the company from a customer perspective. A drug problem could lead to poor performance as well. There are many valid reasons as to why someone would ask for a drug test.
It's not that simple. Some companies require drug testing to comply with requirements from the insurance agency. Failure to comply with this request can result in a policy cancellation. So.... would you rather pee in a cup to keep health benefits or refuse it and lose them altogether? Which will you complain about more?
You shouldn't assume that management makes that decision to be jerks, as that policy is typically set by someone other than management.
For example, if you drive a delivery truck or work around heavy equipment, insurance is going to require drug testing records on file. If you get hurt, a drug test is mandatory.
I don't really care whether it is the management of the company I am being hired by or the management of the insurance company selected by the management of the company I am being hired by.
And, if I had to, to keep health benefits, I would indeed pee in a cup. I have a family to take care of. Hopefully, the option of Obamacare will even things out and make it so that I am less dependent on employers and potential employers.
(And, for the record, I think there are some jobs were a drug test might be a legitimate requirement. I'm objecting to a general policy.)
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