Why do employers assume because you don't interview well, it means that you are not a good hire?

[Kingofkings1992]

Interview skills and being a quality worker are two very distinct things. There's people who will interview great, then turn out to be horrendous employees, and vice versa. I think there are a lot of things about the hiring process that need some overhaul.

Another thing, stop asking for references. If I am no longer at a job, it means one of two things: I either got fired, or I decided that they were no longer a desirable place to work. In neither of those circumstances is the relationship exactly "buddy-buddy."

Why don't YOU give ME 3 phone numbers of people who were previously employed with your company, who will speak positively about the place, and recommend it as a fantastic place to work? Too scared? Thought so. A lot find people just find the very nature of an interview a very anxiety inducing experience. I don't accept that this is the best we can do as a society in 2026.

[ManOnFire]

Fair points. I didn't even know employers still ask for references, that is such an antiquated thing now, seeing as many people's past managers and co-workers often don't even work at those previous jobs anymore, and you might not even have their number any longer. And even friends or other associations as references are not reliable either.

Interviewing is a tough thing for sure. Hiring managers are usually just going by your resume and their first impression of you - he seems confident/unsure of himself, seems like he will be good/bad with other people, seems like he knows his stuff/not very knowledgable about the position/duties, etc. I can somewhat understand their point of view but I also understand yours to a very great degree as well. And you are right, plenty of people aced the interview process and knew all the things to say but come aboard being awful hires, which I've seen on my own job right now.

The hiring process is more brutal now with AI involved so I think we can expect that it will only get worse. I know it sounds like a broken record, but keep trying. Something will give.

[Kingofkings1992]

Thanks. That dingle dick @chazmatazz269 thinks anyone who has the capacity to think outside the box is "childish." Lmao 🤣

[ManOnFire]

I noticed that lol.

[Alex_Bright]

I sense some frustration and anger there.

I'm doing a lot of interviews for my job, and besides from technical skills there's also the question if this person is sociable enough to work in the team and not create drama.
Even people who leave a company or get fired have a few colleagues they get along with. If someone has zero people that are willing to pick up the phone for them then that's a red flag.
Otherwise yes, hiring is hit and miss. It's very easy to hire a bad worker. The best route is people already working for you that recommend someone they know. They wouldn't do that if they knew the other person is rubbish. Their own name is tied to the hire now.

[purplepoppy]

In fairness the interviewers hands are probably tied by upper management who don't trust his judgement and want a tickbox quantifiable approach to hiring. That way no one gets blamed when the employee turns out to be a complete walker, they can just say "hey we went by the book and he ticked all the right boxes."

Problem is there's lots of info out their on how to do well and say what employers want to hear. I know one company who hired a typist but no one asked "can you type?"

It's getting worse now because people are using AI and more idiots are getting shortlisted.

[beenherebefore]

First impressions matter a lot. In an interview is basically one shot one opportunity, especially if they have many applicants to go through they'll choose the most confident and the one that sells themselves the better.

[Summeroflove]

It really depends if the interview goes TOO well and you get hired no matter what. It can signal they’re desperate for people. Maybe not a bad company…. But does show high turnover which is usually for a reason.

This is also why many people go for second interviews. I get it too…. I’ve seen past employers actually SABOTAGE people before.

[DryGermanGuy]

Well, HR has to have some sort of metric to fill job positions in a timely manner. I have to assume that with that method they are still more often right than wrong.

[DexWest]

Every hire is a risk. The exact opposite is true as well, you can be good on paper and crap in real life

[In_Trance]

It's no different than any other aspect of life.
First impressions can make or break you

[WonderingManII]

Because they are stupid.

[beefcakebradybatson]

Especially if you're a POC.