CEO: I’ve interviewed over 500 candidates—these 3 subtle habits scream ‘red flag’ in job interviews

Based on his experience as a CEO who has hired over 100 people, Eli Rubel identifies three subtle behaviors in job interviews that serve as major red flags for hiring managers. These behaviors often predict poor performance despite a candidate's strong resume.

First, arriving even a minute late to an interview typically signals poor planning and raises immediate concerns. Rubel explains that failure to protect time for the interview suggests the candidate would likely struggle with client deadlines and team commitments in fast-paced work environments.

Second, candidates who provide smooth, confident answers without concrete examples or metrics demonstrate a lack of substantive experience. In the age of AI, employers seek proof of problem-solving abilities and actual results rather than just polished talking points.

Third, low energy during interviews is particularly telling since interviews represent a candidate's best-case scenario. For client-facing or high-pressure roles, enthusiasm and engagement during conversations are strong indicators of future performance, while muted or disengaged behavior suggests potential struggles on the job.

Rubel emphasizes that interviews should showcase the best version of oneself, as candidates are demonstrating how they would perform daily if hired. He concludes that the most successful candidates show rather than just tell their strengths during the interview process.