Five Signs You’re NOT Getting that Job

(and they have nothing to do with you!)

There’s no worse feeling than realizing that you’re wasting time at an interview. Here’s five ways to tell (early on) you’re not getting the job:

Your Interviewer is Late and/or Distracted

Yeah, I get it. I’ve been on the other side. You’re short staffed, overworked, AND trying to backfill. It’s tuff to come to an interview with full focus on the candidate…

Anyone interviewing you in this frame of mind is never going to choose you – why? Because they’re not really listening, they’re not engaged. They’re not confident in their choice because (in their mind), you’re a distraction, not the main event.

When I’m confronted with these types of interviews (and sadly, there are far too many of them), I’ll acknowledge the distractedness with an “I’m happy to reschedule this….” I’ve had a few people respond with a “Whew, yes! That would be wonderful…!” (My kinda people). Others who choose to power through? I know that absolutely nothing will come of it, so I see them as batting practice….

You’re More Qualified than Your Prospective Boss

Earlier in my career, this wasn’t a problem. As I’ve grown and sharpened over the past decades, it’s become a much bigger problem in getting hired – especially as an FTE – because there are few people who are able (and willing) to manage talent greater than their own.

There is no one “type” of boss who purposely hires less-than talent, but if I were to cast a big net, I’d say you’re going to encounter this with any person who is a single parent, and definitely any man with kids and a trad wife. They’re not going to do anything to jeopardize that meal ticket, and you showing up with your Master’s degree, industry certifications and “great ideas” is never going to get you hired.

The Place is a Dumpster Fire, and You Have FU Money

Similar to the above, there’s no shortage of interviewers who know the turnover is horrendous, so they’re sniffing around for signs of financial distress because slaves are less likely to leave. Be careful how you answer seemingly innocent questions, “Did you do anything fun this weekend?” “Do you have any vacations planned?” or even questions about “gaps” in your resume. You may think it makes you more desirable to tell you recruiter that you spent three months in France cultivating your Pino pallet, but what he’s going to hear is “He’s not ‘hungry’ enough…” and isn’t going to hang around for very long (and maybe they’re right).

You are V-E-R-Y Employable

Falling under the “more qualified” and “over qualified,” low-tier employers seem to fret constantly about being left at the alter. It’s interesting how small shops are the ones who complain the most about “spending all my time” hiring and then training someone only to have them leave in a year or two for $2-3 dollars an hour more. Oh, the ingratitude!

The majority of employers I speak with are happy to consider applicants with strong software skills, communication, organization abilities and the like, but like marrying a beautiful women or a very handsome man, there are those whose egos and insecurities simply cannot manage those relationships – so they choose (consciously or not), the C+ student who doesn’t have as many options…

They’re Only Window Shopping – Wow Me.

Whether the result of our swipe-left culture or just the old-fashioned hubris of “I’m PAYING you…” there’s no shortage of folks who just like to interview – sorta like those folks who just l-o-v-e shopping for cars – just in case they find something they might want to buy.

These folks are easy to spot because they have done zero real work to actually hire someone. There’s no JD, only a working title, and a Frankenstein wish-list of skills cobbled together by the “team.” The answer to the question of what they’re looking for is an arrogant, “I’ll know it when I see it…” because, of course, everyone and everything has its price, and everyone and everything is for sale (should they choose to purchase it).

Window shoppers are the most entitled of all interviewers. These narcissists use these interactions (steepled hands, 1:1, behind closed doors, no notes required), as their “feed.” They get off on watching people sweat, squirm, prostrate. They’re often rude, dismissive, and enjoy watching nervous applicants stumble to “Wow Me” while they interupt you with comments like, “I don’t care about that…” or “Your education mean nothing to me because your degree is in <humanities> (eye roll)…”

When you encounter a window shopper, don’t despair – step back, understand you’re only there for them to F with, and then use these interviews as practice F-ing with them. Lean in. Answer their “Wow me,” questions irreverently. Note how far you can push them – note their facial expressions, criticisms, and behavior. Store this experience for a time when you really do want to wow someone …..

Final pointer: When the Wow interviewer gives you the obligatory, “We have a minute or two left, do you have any question for me?” (Note: They don’t GAF about you or your questions – your questions are only for them to evaluate how “good” your questions are) smile, and politely say no – no questions – this isn’t a fit for me, thank you for the time, and my best wishes to you in your search. They’ll choke, and look on their face will make all the BS condescension worth it, I promise.

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March 19, 2026 0

Job Applicants: Do NOT Permit Yourself to Be Recorded!

My recent LinkedIn post cautioned applicants to NOT permit themselves to be recorded during interviews. The post drew the expected responses (80%=Yes, I agree, it’s a gross invasion of privacy, I’m not feeding an LLM, and 20% = Dance little monkey! You WILL do whatever the “company” tells you. That’s what I did, and that’s what I expect everyone to do, you’re just spoiled :).

(I’ll let you guess at the demographic breakdown of these responses).

Consider the following:

You are a hiring manager, and you are meeting a job applicant IRL. Perhaps at your office, maybe at a coffee shop or other public place. You sit down, introduce yourself, and then the applicant pulls out a tri-pod, sets up the camera phone, and says, “I hope you don’t mind if I record this…..”

What would you say?

I’m sure you would be shocked by the audacity.

You might respond with something like, “Ohh, err, I’m not comfortable with that….” or even “I don’t consent to being recorded,” to which the applicant responds…

“Ohhh, this is my policy to record all interviews. It’s used for training purposes. This is very common now. And, it’s really for YOUR benefit. In this way, I can focus on you, and our discussion, and not on taking notes! Plus, I’ll be able to review your questions and answers later, at my leisure, and I’ll be able to share the video with my advisors, so that we can all better understand the role, you, and your company.”

Would you shrug, agree, and continue? I don’t think so…..

Stop asking job applicants for one-way video interviews. Stop recording them. Stop bullying them into surrendering their words, image, and ideas for the privilege of applying for a job, stop shaming people for wanting to protect their privacy, and their IP from being consumed by an LLM, and stop pretending that your company isn’t complicit in this surreptitious LLM training when you’re insisting on recordings and “personality assessments.”

If you found yourself offended by the audacity of an applicant taping you and your interview, and the idea that the video would be circulated, distributed, and stored without your knowledge and consent, be assured the applicant feels EXACTLY the same way!

If you’re serious about bringing talent into your organization, this is NOT the way to do it!

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February 18, 2026 0

Things I Hope NOT to See on LinkedIn in 2026

My yearly update of things I hope LinkedIn users will resolve NOT to do in 2026:

Bitching about Ghosting

“Don’t call us, we’ll call you…” has been around since the 1900s. Ghosting isn’t going away no matter how many annoyed applicants end their posts with “do better.”

#livinginthepast #boomerbitching

“I don’t know who needs to hear this, but….” Intros

IDK who started this intro line, but I’d like to hunt him/her down and explain what a target demographic is. If you don’t know who needs to hear this, WTF are you doing a vid for???

#makemehurl #annoyedAF

What the Applicant is Doing Wrong (In your Interview)

No shortage of people offering BS advise on how to lie your way into a job you cannot do. Two things are problematic with these 20-something sages. 1) The wanna be “influencer” content is trite-GPT-drivel everyone’s heard 1000X. (The “twist” is the mid-screen boob shot.) And, 2) Few talk about the outrageous behavior of hiring managers, and how employers are killing their reputation and brand with bad hiring practices.

#noonewantstoworkanymore

“Fear” Adverts from “Career” Coaches and Outplacement Firms

Similar to the above, the only thing more obnoxious than a 28-year-old wanna-be influencer touting her three years of insight and experience on how to navigate today’s “incredibly challenging” job market is a 32-year old bro touting his superior networking skills. (Daddy and/or your frat bro hooking you up with a gig isn’t the flex you think it is.)

#nepobaby #cronycapitalism

Laid-Off Sycophants

Laid off? Been there. What I completely do NOT get is the need to post some sappy eulogy for a company that doesn’t GAF about you. All this BS about how proud you are, all your great loves and losses, and how you’re “ready for your new chapter”?? Gag…

These types of posts tell me that waaayyy too many people see their job as their #1 relationship, and #1 purpose in life. I’m sorry to inform you: Employment is transactional. Like buying bananas at CostCo, or a beer at the bar. Six months from now, they’re not going to remember your name….

To further illustrate the ridiculousness of these jerk-tear posts, consider the following: Would you post on social media how much you loved your ex-spouse, how you’ll treasure the great times together, and now that you’ve been kicked to the curb, you’re ready for “your next chapter”?!?! No, no you wouldn’t. Why: Coz it’s f-n WEIRD!!! That’s why!

#lookingforloveinallthewrongplaces

Employed Sycophants

Your off-site was productive? Great. You’ve got a new CEO? Congrat’s. Your BFF was promoted? Nice. LinkedIn doesn’t need another obsequious corporate sycophant tearfully proclaiming how they “couldn’t be more proud to be associated with such an outstanding group of individuals.”

Unless your ass-kissing is one of your KPIs, spare us.

#embarrassed4U

CEOs, Recruiters, Founders, et al “humble brags”

You’re fully remote? Good for you! You hired someone who had a 2-year gap in his/her resume? I’m sure they were eminently qualified. You hired a fresher/woman/minority/disabled individual who didn’t have the perfect resume, but you…with your tremendous leadership and magnanimous character … saw their potential?

Stop sniffing for public praise and accolades for the most basic levels of decency.

#needy

Open to Work Banner

Si o No? Stop talking about it!

#NoOneCares

Age Discrimination

You’re a white, Anglo-Saxon male, over 50, and now, for the first time in your ENTIRE life, you’re finding that you’re not the preferred demographic? WOW, what must that feel like!?! Tell me more about how unfair corporate life is! Twenty-five years in tech, I’m sure I don’t know what it feels like to be marginalized, dismissed, or passed over in favor of some crony C-Student bro or a cheap H1b…

PS: Maybe it isn’t your age? Maybe the field has leveled and you’re just “entitled”? Try working “twice as hard,” for half as much. You know, like the rest of us…

#whiner #equalityisoppression

WFH v. RTO

If you don’t want to work on site, don’t. If you want to go into an office, go. Stop trying to convert the heathens. You’re as likely to convince a MAGA supporter that tariffs are inflationary.

#snore

“Behold” my Achievement

Unless you just won the Nobel Prize, no one is interested in your Udemy, Coursera or company-training certs. Add them to your profile and move on with your life.

Your Wedding, Your Kids, Your Holidays

#facebook

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December 29, 2025 0

Stupid Essay Questions

Below is a sample of the ridiculous essay questions I’ve been asked to provide answers to as part of my program/project management applications (all 100% real!):

How do you balance Agile principles with the need to meet business deadlines and stakeholder expectations?
What Agile metrics do you find most valuable for tracking delivery performance, and how do you use them to drive improvements?
How to you handle cross functional dependencies and coordination in an agile environment?
What does a healthy Agile culture look like to you?
Please briefly describe how you keep projects on track?
What is the most significant challenge to scaling a business, and how did you overcome this challenge in your prior position(s)?
Can you provide an example of a workflow automation or API integration project you have led?
How have you handled risk mitigation and problem-solving in past projects, particularly in data conversion or integration scenarios?
How has good project governance helped you to ensure a project stays on track?
Describe your approach to leadership
Describe your approach to clearing blockers for technical personnel on your agile team.
Can you provide a specific example of how you implemented service management discipline within a project or organization? What were the measurable results?
Provide a detailed overview of your experience managing B2B commerce projects. Please include the platforms used, the types of customers (industry/business), the total project scope, and your role as PM.
How do you ensure stakeholders are engaged and supportive of new processes and tools? Can you share a successful change management strategy you implemented.
How would you approach understanding the current project landscape and identifying the most pressing needs?

The TA process is broken, but expecting applicants to provide you written answers to make “the job easier,” isn’t going to bring talent into your organization.

Applicants: Take a hard pass on anyone asking you for free work. Your intelligence and experience is what you sell. If you are foolish enough to answer questions like this, be assured that every answer, every insight will be stolen, re-used, and shared with another candidate. One who is cheaper, or off-shore, or a nephew of the hiring manager. After that, it will be processed by a LLM. The payout for for all your work: Zero.

Employers: This isn’t Costco. Stop asking for free samples.

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April 2, 2025 0