I had been looking forward to the interview all day. I was confident that I had the right candidate for the job and was eager to get the ball rolling, but little did I know that my enthusiasm would soon be replaced by shock and confusion.
The interviewee was an impressive candidate on paper. He was a graduate of one of the top local universities and had a strong track record in his field. I had high hopes for the conversation, but it quickly took a turn that I had not expected.
The moment the interviewee stepped into the room, I could tell he was confident. His posture was straight, and he spoke with authority. I introduced myself and asked him to tell me about himself. His response was anything but what I was expecting.
He proudly declared that he was an elite local university graduate and that he should not be compared to graduates from cheap private schools. He said that the quality of education he received from the university was far superior to anything the private schools could offer.
I was taken aback. I interviewed several candidates from private schools and found them to be just as capable and qualified as the candidates from the local university. I was sure he was wrong and I wanted to challenge his statement, but I decided to remain polite and professional.
I asked him questions about his academic background and experience, and he answered them with confidence and authority. He was clearly a knowledgeable and capable person, but I still couldn’t shake the feeling that his attitude was arrogant and condescending.
Throughout the rest of the conversation, I couldn’t help but feel that the interviewee was looking down on me and the rest of the candidates. His attitude was smug and dismissive, and I had to remind myself that this was a job interview, not a debate.
After the interview was finished, I thanked him for his time and he left. I was still taken aback by his attitude, but I was also thankful that I had kept my composure and given him the benefit of the doubt.
In my experience, a confident attitude is a great trait for any job candidate, but arrogance is a red flag. It can be difficult to discern between the two, but interviewees should remember that their attitude and behavior can make or break their chances of getting the job.
He called back a few days later and we told him his attitude does not fit the job role, he can try his attitude at somewhere else.