The job market is becoming more and more competitive. The increasing number of private universities has led to a larger number of graduates on the market searching for jobs. Hence, the job market is now more competitive than ever. So, what does it take to get hired? Or more importantly, what won’t get you hired? In this column, we get the thoughts of four HR Practitioners on why they will not hire a prospective candidate.

Fali Dzobo(Former HR Director of Airtel Ghana)

Your chances at getting hired will be hurt if:

1.   My first impression of you is not good. This can be through your CV or on meeting you face to face in the interview. If it is the CV, I look at qualification and work experience. Also, the way in which your CV is written could go against you. It must be precise, concise and focused.

2.   You are ill prepared for the interview.I am put off by candidates who do not bother to learn how to answer interview questions or go online to read about the company.

3.   You are poorly dressed for the interview. If however, you convince me of your competence and know-how, I would alert you of my dissatisfaction and give you a second chance if you are selected for a follow up interview.

Felicia Ashley (HR Director, Databank)

You will not get the job if:

1.  You do not appear to fit into the organization’s culture. I place values that fit into the organization's culture ahead of technical competence because that is the foundation upon which all other qualities are built.

2.  You do not come to the interview properly prepared. I interviewed a candidate a couple of years ago who said she did not believe she would be called for an interview and hence did not prepare. She was very apologetic but obviously, did not get the job!

3. You have unrealistic compensation expectations - it is difficult to offer jobs to candidates unwilling to negotiate downwards based on their perceived worth, especially, when expected salary is outside the company’s compensation policy.

4.  You have a poor appearance or unpleasant disposition. The competitive nature of the interview may eliminate such a candidate.

5. You do notdemonstrate knowledge of the job.  CVs are sometimes a far cry from the real person behind the CV.  Some candidates do not demonstrate that they have what it takes to do the job.

6.  You have poor people-management skills. As it is said, great employees leave great jobs with bad managers, and great employees can actually stay in bad jobs with great managers!

Annica Nsiah-Appau (Former HR Manager of Unilever)

You will not get hired if:

1.      Your ambitions do not meet organizational goals and your skill set cannot be developed to match the job opportunity available.

2.      You have certain vices that the organization will not be prepared to defend and this can be determined from an aptitude test.

3.      Your demeanor suggests that you have come to work for pay and not to improve the current state of the business.

4.      You give out too much or too little information at a time.

5.      There are inconsistencies in the CV, and also during the Interview

6.      You have unrealistic remuneration expectations

Dr. Ellen Hagan (CEO, L’AINE Services)

I will not hire you if:

1.  You do not demonstrate critical skills that are relevant to the success of the role you are being hired to play. For example, if you apply for a role in Customer Service and you appear to lack people skills.

2.  Your salary expectation is not realistic, incommensurate with your experience and ability, as well as industry benchmarking.

3. You badmouth your previous employers - Negativity about your former job sends the signal that you will be negative about your next job.

4. You do not show from past experience, the traits employers are looking for; being results oriented, having attention to detail, taking initiative, leadership and other soft skills.