Interviewees who can't make conversation, who talk incessantly or who continually check their phones leave a bad impression that not even an impeccable resume or glowing reference can offset.
Unsuitable Language Skills
Poor grammar is code for poor communications skills. Candidates who use colloquial phrases or are very informal with language can't cut it in the professional world where written and verbal skills are paramount. Additionally, inappropriate or derogatory language shows a lack of sophistication or self-censorship. If you show any signs of inadequate communication skills, expect the interview to end quickly.
Poor grammar is code for poor communications skills. Candidates who use colloquial phrases or are very informal with language can't cut it in the professional world where written and verbal skills are paramount. Additionally, inappropriate or derogatory language shows a lack of sophistication or self-censorship. If you show any signs of inadequate communication skills, expect the interview to end quickly.
Surviving the initial cut in a job applicant pool to land an interview is a good step on your way to that sought-after job offer. You can gain confidence knowing that your professional credentials passed the HR department's scrutiny. In the interview, the hiring manager will ask for more details about your qualifications. Still, the ultimate decision will have less to do with how well you fit the job description, and more to do with the social skills you display in the interview.
A 2015 study from The Creative Group found that most social blunders during interviews result from thoughtlessness or poor interpersonal skills -- and those blunders often become deal breakers. Interviewees who can't make conversation, who talk incessantly or who continually check their phones leave a bad impression that not even an impeccable resume or glowing reference can offset.
In this slideshow, Vicky Oliver, a leading career development expert, has identified five social slip-ups that could act as a red flag for hiring managers.
