In a recent phone screen for a sales position, I asked a candidate to tell me how they believed their background fit the requirements of the position. Now mind you, the position required the candidates to listen effectively, build rapport, ask insightful questions and have excellent verbal communication skills. The candidate’s response:
Tell me what you’re looking for and I will tell you if I can do it.
Really, I didn’t need to go much further, but I did ask him a couple of other questions and received similar answers. So I ended the phone screen by stating, “That’s all the questions I have for you at this time. What questions do you have for me?” Here is the dialogue that followed:
Candidate: Is this a commission-only position or does it pay a base salary plus bonus or commission?
My Response: The position has a base salary.
Candidate: Does the position offer any benefits?
My Response: Yes, it has a full benefit package.
Candidate: Will this position work out of a corporate office or a home office?
My Response: A home office.
Candidate: Good, I like to make my own hours. I think that’s all my questions.
My Response: I want to thank you for your time today and have a nice evening.
Candidate: Thank you, you too.
The candidate was toast at this point.