30% of interviewers said avoiding eye contact is a red flag for potential new hires

Job interviews can be a source of stress for anyone seeking work. While certain behaviors are tolerable – many could prevent a candidate from landing a new role. 

A new survey by Ringover, a London-based telecommunications company, asked over 1,200 people with remote and in-person interview experience which bad interview habits are the biggest red flags for employers. 

Being late for the interview and not researching the company ahead of time were some of the biggest turn offs for employers. Over 30% of survey respondents found these behaviors off-putting. Additionally, nearly 28% of employers said getting the name of the company wrong, and not dressing appropriately for the interview were both unacceptable behaviors. 

Other habits that were off-putting to employers included the use of filler words, last-minute rescheduling, the use of jokes or banter, not asking questions at the end of the interview and misnaming the hiring manager. 

While many companies have transitioned to virtual interviews since the pandemic, 95% of survey respondents said they still prefer to sit down in-person with potential new hires. 

Unspoken etiquette often dictates in-person connections, but certain behaviors are a no-go for many employers. Over 30% of interviewers said avoiding eye contact or not being polite to other staff members are big red flags for potential new hires. 

According to the research, studies show that eye contact has a positive neurological effect in conversation – making the other person feel more engaged and involved. 

Not bringing a resume was another turn-off for employers, followed by disorderly personal appearance, having bad breath and wearing overpowering perfume or cologne. 

Although employers prefer to meet in-person, Gartner found that 89% of organizations moved to virtual interviewing processes during the pandemic. Ease and convenience have certainly caught on, as 82.2% of survey respondents said they continue to interview candidates on virtual platforms such as Zoom or Microsoft Teams.

When it comes to video interviews – showing up late is still highly unacceptable according to 32% of employers. Another 30% of employers said speaking to another person while on the call was a big turn off as well. 

Even though candidates are often more comfortable in their own surroundings – it’s important to maintain professionalism. 

Candidates who switched their cameras off, had something inappropriate in the background, or another person in the background gave over a quarter of employers negative feelings. 

Other online interview behaviors that stood out adversely to employers included taking the call from a coffee shop or park, struggling with technical difficulties or putting the microphone on mute during a candidates’ turn to speak. 

Even though they may seem archaic, nearly 81% of survey respondents said they had conducted an interview with a candidate over the phone. Many potential new hires struggle with phone interviews, due to the lack of eye-contact and body language, but avoiding certain behaviors can help. 

Related: Recruiting red flags: An employer’s guide to hiring in today’s shifting labor market

About 33% of employers said the most irksome behaviors over the phone included interrupting an interviewer and the use of speakerphone during the chat. 

Other behaviors that were off-putting to about 30% of hiring managers included interviewing while doing another activity such as driving, hearing other people in the background, eating or drinking during the conversation and audibly yawning. 

Even though the interview process is often daunting, there are many unfavorable habits and behaviors that candidates can avoid to help themselves stand out in a positive way. Forming a good connection with the interviewer can go a long way in the hiring process so it’s best to start out on a good foot. Most importantly, candidates should maintain professionalism and show up on time.