Job interviews can be tricky for the job seeker and the interviewer. A person who interviews well may not be the best worker, while a bad interviewee could end up as a top performer. Discerning between the two can be a difficult challenge.

WIIFM - If you find yourself deflecting questions about salary and benefits long before you’ve even made an offer, turn and run. The “What’s In It For Me” factor is alarming in an interview, but disastrous in a team-oriented work environment. While you want someone assertive enough to stick up for their own interests, timing is everything. If the interviewer hasn’t broached the subject already, the pay and benefits discussion should come up when an offer is made, whether in the first or follow-up interviews.

Enough about you - Conversation domination is another red flag - i.e., endless talking about one’s own accomplishments, experiences, goals, etc. It makes a person come across as oblivious and possibly even arrogant. Instead, look for succinct answers with follow-up questions indicating interest in other topics. A top-performing team requires people who are willing to stop talking about themselves long enough to listen to others’ ideas.

Neggie Nellie - Are you dealing with an optimist or a pessimist? This comes across in how people talk about themselves, their strengths and weaknesses, how they carry themselves, and how they discuss past career experiences and future goals. Individual optimism, confidence and a can-do attitude provides a tremendous boost to the team.

Too much information - An oversharer of personal information can be a real drag. A qualified professional will understand that the job interview is not the place for personal stories about family, health, etc. This indicates a preoccupation with something other than work which can impede commitment to the job with an ultimate negative impact on the company’s financial bottom line.

Cell phone mania - Even on the vibrate setting, cell phones can be noisy and distracting. Once the person has joined the team, constantly being plugged in may be a desirable trait. In the interview, however, electronic communication should be shut down completely. It indicates respect and that nothing is more important than the interview at that moment.

Finally, the last sign it may be time to move on to the next job seeker: silly questions about the company. A qualified, hard-working professional who really wants the job will take time to research the company. They won’t ask questions about the job description or company history and objectives if that information is readily available on the company web site. Basic research is a simple step that indicates the job seeker really wants that job. Essentially, these common sense steps boil down to three main things: courtesy, self-motivation, and respect for your time.

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