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7 Personality Traits That Could Cost You a Job Offer

Certain characteristics can end you from securing employment at an interview.


Or at least that’s what employers and recruiters believe.


In a 2019 survey conducted by TopCV, particular personality traits are less desirable than others.


And knowing what they are may be the difference between employment and unemployment.


Interestingly, around three-quarters (77%) of employers believe personality may be the most important element when contemplating someone for employment, triumphing over education (13%) or appearance (12%).


So, at least we realize it’s not absolutely all about looks, hey!


With this thought, what exactly are these personality traits that produce employers’ skin crawl?


Here’s all you need to know.



Entitled (18%)


As it happens that believing you should receive certain privileges or get special treatment is a genuine no-no with employers.


The problem with that one is those that act entitled, usually don’t understand that they possess this personality trait.


The easiest method to know is if friends and family or family have ever called you “a princess” or a “diva”.


If they have, you might want to think about how you find. Relax your shoulders within an interview and accept that you’re not likely to get offered the work on the spot.


There are a great number of other worthy candidates out there!


Ignorant (23%)


In the context of employment, being ignorant is often as simple as lacking knowledge or awareness in your selected industry.


Employers want an applicant who loves to keep up-to-date with current trends and is available to learning more.


The key lesson here's to accomplish your homework before an interview.


Don’t make the error of walking in thinking you can wing it, as that is an indicator of ignorance and may be construed as an act of entitlement too (double ouch)!


Immoral (24%)


Being immoral or unethical is an indicator of dishonesty and having too little integrity.


Granted, you need to bend the rules using conditions, but not in ways where it might tarnish the trustworthiness of a brand.


An example of that is whenever a salesperson hounds a person into buying a service or product they don’t particularly need or want.


Or in newer times, a worker who ignores the overall Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and bombards prospects with marketing emails, despite them opting out or never opting in!


Within an interview, an employer gets a feeling of immoral behaviour by requesting about your processes.


Close-minded (26%)


Another personality trait that may cost you employment offer is sounding as close-minded.


When you discuss the industry that you work in and the work itself, it’s your task showing them that you’re available to learning even more and being innovative.


Giving a blank expression when you’re asked about your long-term goals is a tell-tale sign that you’re not taking into consideration the possibilities.


Be inquisitive within an interview, asking about the business.


Or in case you have an opportunity to state how you’d improve something, product or the branding, think bigger.


Unreliable (60%)


There’s a big consensus jump with these final three undesirable personality traits. Firstly, we've unreliability.


Unlike a few of the other ones upon this list, an employer can simply judge your capability to be reliable simply by considering what time you arrived for the interview.


In the event that you were late, that’s wii start at all.


It tells the employer that you’re bad at managing your time and effort and can’t end up being trusted when coping with multiple looming deadlines.


So, be punctual!


Dishonest (62%)


Closely linked in with being immoral, dishonesty has been voted as 2nd in the list.


Telling the simple truth is easy to accomplish, so there’s no actual secret formula or tips because of this one.


There’s you don't need to tweak the reality about who you worked for, why you took a career break or what experience you possess, an employer can simply find these exact things out via your references.


And even if indeed they don’t get out through the interview stage, the reality will come back again to bite you in the bum at some time.


There’s nothing worse than saying that you can do something and someone calls your bluff once you’ve been hired.


It could get very awkward!


Arrogant (65%)


The ultimate personality trait employers hate is arrogance.


When you answer questions, consider how you find.


Using expressions like, “I really believe” and “I believe” softens up responses to any questions that want you to market yourself.


Compared, “I am” can sound arrogant and self-absorbed, rather than confident.


It’s an excellent line, but you need to consider the words you utilize.


When you’re asked about your achievements, don’t hesitate to briefly mention the team’s contribution, as it could assist you to sound more humble.


Yes, you need to sell yourself as an applicant, but that doesn’t mean you should discard what everybody else achieved.


In the end, there’s no “I” in team!


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