I cannot tell you how many times I’ve heard candidates answer hiring authority salaried questions with, “it’s not relevant”. It usually comes from candidates that have totally screwed up the interview process. Typically, hiring authorities become less interested immediately after such an abrupt answer from a candidate. This week not only was the hiring authority taken back with such a response but also had to take defense when the candidate began a minor argument.
When I debriefed the candidate regarding why he irritated the hiring authority in such a manner, his response was “I really didn’t want the job anyhow.” When I was younger, in the recruiting business, I used to get upset with such candidates but now I just refuse to assist them any longer.
Comments like, “that’s not relevant” are both rude and a poor interviewing habit. If you are a candidate, always contemplate how to sell yourself to get the job offer.
Good candidates cover the basics by always making a good impression and maintaining a polite demeanor.
