3 Red Flags in a Startup hiring Interview!

The operating dynamics of a startup v/s a well-established organization run in opposite directions, to say the least. While the hiring process in a well-established organization is more or less defined in terms of psychometric, competencies etc., hiring at a growing organization is generally more lucid and free-flowing. Primarily because startups hire for attitude, over aptitude.


Having said that, there are certain types of candidates, that are considered to be the red-flags by startup hiring authorities. And mind you, these are beside aspects like being prepared for the interview, knowing about the company, basic technical competence, etc., those are a given.

1. The Perfectionists

I don't want to hear about your success story, I want to listen to your failure story!

If you believe that:
- You have never screwed up
- You have never embarrassed yourself
- You know it all

Then:
- We don't want to hire you :)

Surprised? Don't be. You may be a technical expert, but considering the fast-paced environment of the startup eco-system, we hire for attitude, over aptitude. We prefer learners, over experts. And we value humility, integrity, professionalism and inquisitiveness, more than any degree.

Perfection & success stories, after a point, breeds arrogance. Don't believe me? click here to know what Harsha Bhogle has to say about Talent v/s Attitude.

While failure speaks volumes about your courage to persevere in the toughest of times, your passion to pursue excellence, and your hunger to learn!

Be flawed enough, to be fabulous. Be crazy enough, to embrace your flaws. And be a rebel enough, to flaunt them!


2. The Ambiguous Kid!

If you have no clarity on why you chose the jobs that you did, why you are looking at switching your present job, or why do you want to work with us, you are not the right fit for us.

I am not saying that all your previous career choices have to be aligned. All I am saying is, be convinced about the not-so-thought-through-choices that you've made. If you are not convinced about what you've done in the past/are planning to do now, and show ambiguity, there is no reason why I, as a hiring authority, will have even an iota of trust in you.

3. The Lost Wanderer

Picking from where I left point no. 2, you may be convinced about your previous choices, but if your choices were a result of social conditioning/external influences and you now want to work with me/my organization, because of an external influence, then I am sorry, I am not having you onboard. Primarily, because cannot take decisions for your "own" life.....how will you ever take sensible, well-thought-through, and thoroughly analyzed business decisions?

Also, your lack of self-awareness will be a red-flag for me, in terms of your reliability for work and tenure in the organization.

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If all the above sound "nothing" like you, then we invite you to join us at  SutraHR! Drop in your interest, area of expertise, and profile @ rupali,t@sutrajobs.com