As one of the top legal staffing firms in Sacramento, California, Pacific Staffing knows that hiring is a stressful process. Make the wrong decision and it could have a seriously negative impact on your law firm’s reputation and your legal team.
But there are some candidate red flags to be on the look out for – especially during the interview process – that can help you make a wise choice and hire right, the first time. Here’s a look at 6 of them:
Red Flag #1: They Show Up Late Looking Like They Just Rolled Out of Bed.
It’s true that there will be times when a great candidate gets lost on the way to your firm or stuck in traffic and they may deserve a second chance. But if a candidate shows up late – without calling to let you know they’ll be late – and they’re dressed inappropriately to boot, you know you’ve got someone who simply can’t cut it in the legal profession. This kind of behavior is a big indication of what they’ll be like when they work for you….and it isn’t pretty.
Red Flag #2: They Clearly Haven’t Researched Your Law Firm.
When a candidate asks “so what exactly does your law firm do?,” then you know you have an unsophisticated candidate who hasn’t done even the most basic research. A smart candidate will know what you do, whom you serve, and areas you specialize in…and then ask more insightful and meaningful questions as a result.
Red Flag #3: They Give You Vague Answers.
When a candidate is able to talk a good game about their past accomplishments, but can’t offer details when pressed for more information, then they are likely exaggerating their claims of grandeur.
Red Flag #4: They Bash a Former Employer, Boss or Colleague.
Everyone knows you’re not supposed to trash talk former employers during a job interview, right? Wrong! In fact, this is one of the biggest mistakes bad candidates make, especially when asked to describe their relationship with their last boss or to explain how they dealt with a difficult co-worker. And it sends the clear message that 1) a candidate doesn’t know proper business protocol (i.e. they aren’t supposed to bash anyone during an interview) and 2) there’s nothing to stop them from doing the same about you and your firm…and announcing it in a very public way, such as on Facebook.
Red Flag #5: They Have No Weaknesses, Flaws or Faults.
This is the candidate who says their biggest weakness is that they’re a perfectionist. But every candidate is human…and every single one has made a mistake and has weaknesses. You want to hire the candidate who knows what their weaknesses are and who has taken clear steps to overcome them.
Red Flag #6: They Have Poor Communication Skills.
Regardless of the position you’re hiring for, solid communication skills are a must in the legal profession. Even if a new hire won’t have any dealings with clients, they’ll still have to interface with superiors and colleagues. And the candidate who can’t make eye contact or articulate their thoughts likely won’t be a strong addition to the team.
Want to Outsource Your Law Firm’s Hiring Process to the Experts?
If you do, let us know. From attorneys and paralegals to administrative staff, Pacific Staffing is your law firm’s source for legal staffing services in Sacramento, California. Contact Pacific Staffing today to learn more about our legal staffing services – and how they can help you.