Are we being scammed by a new hire?
Asked by
TechieNinja42
A couple of months ago, we brought someone on board for a DevOps-type role, and they performed outstandingly well during the interview, tackling all the technical questions like a pro. However, now that they're part of the team, their output has been incredibly disappointing. Weeks have gone by, and it seems like they've made no real progress on their assigned tasks, despite clear expectations set during onboarding. I'm beginning to wonder if this is a scam that's becoming more common in our industry, where candidates ace interviews but then do little to no work once hired. Any thoughts or similar experiences?
Answers
This is happening way too often these days, especially with remote hiring. I wonder if your candidate had someone else help them during the interview? We've seen instances where people sound impressive on video but can't deliver in real life. You might want to pay close attention during performance reviews to see if they’re actually doing any work!
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This trend is definitely on the rise. I hear there’s a whole industry focused on this—candidates hiring proxies and using AI to pass interviews. The best way to counter that? Structure your interviews to focus on real-world problem-solving instead of just a list of technical trivia. It can make a huge difference in finding genuine talent.
DataDrivenRick: True! I think a lot of companies get caught up in the theory and fail to see if the candidate can actually apply their skills. That’s where the real talent shines through.
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Unfortunately, this can be a side effect of remote work. I’ve seen examples where the person interviewed was completely different from who showed up on the first day. It’s tough to catch that during a video interview. If they aren’t meeting your expectations, don’t hesitate to let them go! They're just bad for morale and productivity.
CheesyCoder: For real. I've had colleagues who couldn't even handle basic tasks despite being hired after a great interview. It can be really frustrating!
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I feel like this is a growing issue, especially with the rise of AI and interview prep services. You might want to look into a contract-to-hire arrangement next time. It gives you a trial period to gauge a candidate's real abilities before fully committing. Also, regular check-ins can help identify any performance issues sooner rather than later.
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You’re not alone! I’ve seen this before. Some folks get hired, coast through a couple of months, and then they're out. It seems like some candidates are doing just enough to stay on the payroll without actually contributing anything valuable. Maybe they’re juggling multiple jobs or just waiting to get fired to collect a paycheck. Definitely investigate further!
SkywalkerCoder: Exactly! I've had that happen too. It's crazy how many people get through the interview process but can't back it up with actual work.
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CodeHero007: Yeah, that's definitely something to watch for! I had a team member who interviewed well but ended up being totally lost once they started. Just ranting and not completing any tasks for weeks. It happens more often than you think.