A recent study conducted by the job search and personnel service Rabota.ru explored common interview mistakes among Russians and highlighted questions that should be avoided when talking to recruiters. The findings were reviewed by socialbites.ca.
The survey revealed that 59% of employers notice a frequent omission by Russian candidates: a lack of inquiry about the future of the role and little interest in the posted vacancy. This was identified as the most common interview error. Another widespread pitfall is that applicants are unprepared, showing little knowledge about the company or the specific position, a deficiency noted by 51% of respondents. When a candidate speaks negatively about a previous job, 37% of interviewers express concern.
Appearance also plays a role in first impressions. About 28% of employers consider the candidate’s presentation to be incompatible with the vacancy, and 25% report that lateness for the interview is a disqualifier. A fifth of respondents (20%) avoid questions related to past job achievements, viewing them as unhelpful or unsafe in the interview setting.
Only a small portion, 3%, observe that Russians tend to discuss personal life aspects rather than work-related topics. In the open category labeled “Other,” respondents noted that candidates often struggle to present themselves and their achievements effectively, and that certain essential skills are frequently lacking.
When it comes to the most inappropriate questions, personal inquiries rise to the top, with 49% of respondents flagging them as unsuitable. Attitudes toward punctuality and the possibility of leaving a post also raise concerns for 47% of interviewers. About 28% believe it is improper to ask what specific position the candidate is interviewing for during the interview.
Questions about the number of candidates being considered are deemed inappropriate by 25% of recruiters. In addition, 23% consider questions about remote working and daily communication patterns to be poor in tone, while 22% view inquiries about the company negatively. A further 20% feel it is premature to ask about salary adjustment timelines. Only 7% of employers consider questions about career growth within the company to be untimely.
Earlier assessments indicated that job seekers in Russia began rejecting offers more frequently after the interview process, reflecting a shift in candidate behavior and expectations during the hiring cycle.