I just got off the phone with a client who had an applicant who produced a Flag Page on his StylesMatrix™.

A Flag Page, for those clients who’ve never seen one, is a big warning message. It says the applicant’s answers are impossible. Can’t happen. Are trying to be all things to all people.

Flag Page applicants are sending you a warning.

Loud and Clear.

Ignore it at your peril.

“Is it possible, because he took the profile at his job, that he took too long to take it?” she asked.

Sure it’s possible that the Flag Page is undeserved. Maybe he could be your next Great White Hope…

But in 99 out of 100 cases, you should run from applicants who produced a Flag Page on the StylesMatrix™.

I can recall at least two instances where a client pursued an applicant despite the Flag Page warning. One turned out to be on the Sex Offenders list.

Another, when our client called the previous employer was told, “I know I am not supposed to say this, but this guy was the most disruptive basket case you can imagine.”

There are no 100%’s in sales hiring, that’s obvious, but what you can do is put the odds in your favor. Applicants who produce a Flag Page are high odds for trouble in the future.

If you insist on pursuing a Flag Page applicant don’t say we didn’t warn you.