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7 Things About Candidates Hated By Hiring Managers While Interviewing — Recruiter’s Perspective!

4 min read · Updated on 03 Sep, 2024

Laura Slingo

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They say recruiting is easy, but it's an annoyingly difficult experience from a recruiter's perspective. As a candidate, you might wonder why they seem annoying when bombarding you with seemingly silly questions. I understand your perspective, but it's crucial to remember that this professional relationship requires mutual respect. 
 

Recruiters are just doing their job, and while a few might seem unreasonable, most are simply overwhelmed. What makes them crazy and frustrated is doing so many weekly interviews and meeting so many people who are unsuitable for them. Understanding their role can help you pity their situation.
 

We've always focused on the candidate's perspective, but let's step into the recruiter's shoes this time. Even with a perfect CV and a great interview, things can still go wrong—and sometimes, it's on the recruiter's side. 
 

Some people don't even study a little before interviewing, which makes the recruiters hate things about the candidates. 
 

So, in this article, I am going to tell you 
 

  • What recruiters hate about candidates during interviews. 
  • DOs and DONTs are in an interview. 


If you have an interview coming up, avoid these mistakes—because they can lose you the job.
 

7 Annoying Things About Candidates—Recruiter's POV

1: Difficulty In Communicating

Hiring managers and recruiters dislike it when candidates are hard to communicate with. It can be frustrating for them if you're difficult to reach or schedule an interview. They've set aside time to meet you, so that poor communication can be a red flag.
 

If you have trouble with the proposed schedule, notify the recruiter immediately. Share the best times for you and ask if they're available. Agree on a time together and stick to it. It's better to plan than to cancel at the last minute and leave a bad impression.
 

2: Candidates Getting Ghosted

Just like you don't like being ignored by recruiters, they feel the same way when candidates ghost them. When you stop responding, it frustrates recruiters and makes them think you're either not interested or unprofessional.
 

Instead of ghosting, it's better to say, "Thank you for the opportunity, but I've found another job," or "I'm no longer interested." This way, recruiters can move on and find other candidates.
 

3: Changing Agreed Terms

It can frustrate recruiters when you agree to terms during the interview process but then you change your mind when they make an offer. Recruiters may confirm the terms with you a day or two before to ensure you're on the same page.
 

If you say yes but later disagree, especially regarding the salary, it feels like a waste of time. If you're not okay with the terms, it's better to be upfront rather than agreeing and backing out later.
 

4: Bluffing And Exagerating Experience

Many candidates exaggerate their experiences and skills to land a job, thinking they won't get caught. However, during the interview, if the recruiter digs into your experience and discovers you were bluffing, it can lead to immediate rejection.
 

It's still acceptable at some point, but the lies with no limits?—turn over a new leaf. Claiming you're "Proficient in French" when you only know basic words like "Bonjour," "Au revoir," and "Merci" can make the interviewer question your integrity.
 

It's best to avoid lying on your resume altogether. If you need to stretch the truth, keep it harmless—like falsifying a hobby irrelevant to the job, such as watching TV, instead of something that aligns more with the role. But remember, honesty is always the best approach.
 

5: Full Inbox or Voicemail Box

Another thing that annoys employers is when candidates leave their voicemail boxes full. This simple mistake could cost you the job; later, you might blame the recruiters for not hiring you. Imagine if you were selected, but your voicemail was full when they tried to call. That's a missed opportunity, and it's entirely on you. 
 

The same applies to your email inbox. It's important to regularly delete social or promotional emails that aren't important so you can receive important emails right away.
 

6: Personal Connection To Get A Job With No Qualification

Many people attend interviews through personal connections, but it doesn't guarantee they'll get hired. I've been there, and while getting a job through connections is fine, assuming you'll get the position without the right qualifications and skills is a mistake. This overconfidence is exactly what frustrates recruiters.
 

Even with a personal connection, you still need an updated resume, strong skills, and qualifications. You must impress the recruiters and show you're the best fit for the job—otherwise, it's unfair to other qualified candidates.
 

7: Getting Irrelevant With Personal Information

Sharing personal information with the hiring team can be awkward and irrelevant to the hiring process. As a candidate, focus on whether what you share is relevant to the job.
 

Instead of discussing your age, relationships, marital status, or other personal details, stick to topics that matter to recruiters—like your experience, job expectations, or questions about the company. Staying on relevant topics increases your chances of getting hired while oversharing personal details can hurt your chances.

See how your CV stacks up.