There are many kinds of personalities in the workforce. There’s the workaholics, the natural-born leaders, the people-pleasers, the innovators, the analysts, and so on, depending on the specific career. However, there’s one type that seems to exist in every field: the lone wolf, or the individualist, who is independent and unafraid of confrontation. Unfortunately, being a “lone wolf” may narrow professional opportunities for you. In fact, some hiring managers may consider you “unemployable”.
What makes someone unemployable?
Victoria Corindi is a self-described lone wolf, and this trait has caused rifts at her worplace. Corindi explains that her sister, Helene, is a human resources manager. Helene once said Corindi was unemployable because of an incident when Corindi refused a backgroud check.
Corindi had already passed a background test for the company she worked for, but a client wanted to run their own on her. She generally does agree to background checks, but she refused since she didn’t work directly for that client.
“You’re right that you’re not legally obligated to comply,” said Helene, as written by Corindi on Medium. “They should provide the client with a letter verifying you passed a background check when you were hired. That should be enough.”
“You’re unemployable”
Although she was acting within her rights, Corindi inadvertently sent a message to her superiors. “You’ve identified yourself as someone who creates problems for leadership, instead of solving them,” Helene explained, before joking, “Don’t worry, I’m sure you’ll be back to self-employment in no time.”
Her prediction proved incorrect, as Corindi is still working for the same company three years later. However, Corindi had recently begun applying for new jobs. But Helene’s reaction was: “Don’t bother. You’re unemployable.”
She explained herself, saying “I would never hire you… You’re a lone wolf, not a sheep. Conforming to a large corporation’s expectations is not who you are. It’s abundantly clear in the way you present yourself. It’s obvious looking at your resume. I’m sure you’ve been a thorn in [the] leadership’s side since the first time you questioned one of their decisions.” She advised Corindi to “go back to being self-employed.”
What are lone wolves?
Like with most personality types, lone wolves exist on a spectrum. However, their noteworthy trait is self-reliance, since they prefer to work and problem-solve on their own. They may also be anti-authority and struggle to adhere to rules, especially if they disagree with them. Additionally, their independence may make them disengaged from their associates and have fewer friendships around the workplace. At the same time, they are creative, innovative, and results-oriented. They also have a directness that some people appreciate while others don’t.
Read More: There’s a Reason Why Some Companies Are Firing Gen Z Employees According to New Study
Hiring lone wolves
For hiring managers, lone wolf behaviors can be a red flag. Some might be looking for highly-independent workers, but many hear “lone wolf” and assume the interviewee only looks out for themselves and won’t get along with clients or coworkers. Because of the competitive job-market, some managers are looking for potential red flags like these to rule out contenders who are less “employable”.
What is considered a difficult employee?
According to Career Builder, a difficult employee is an individual who behaves in a way that negatively affects the company’s productivity and other employees. One person can greatly impact those around them, which is why employers try to identify these individuals during the hiring process. This is why many interviews include behavioral questions that can reflect the person’s attitude and tendencies.
Signs of difficult employees:
- Poor performance
- Uncooperative when working with others
- Combativeness
- Deny mistakes and don’t take accountability
- Resistent to change
- Fights against authority
- Poor collaboration skills
- “No one can tell me what to do” attitude
- Negative outlook
Remember this list is an example of what employers generally want to avoid, and the items vary depending on the job. Some lone wolves may fit into a few of these descriptions, but being strong-willed and independent does not equate to being difficult or unemployable. But it can be helpful to keep this list in mind during an interview so you can distance yourself from unfavorable traits and present yourself in the best light.
Thriving as a lone wolf in the corporate world
Under the guidance of her executive coach, Corindi navigated through struggles with her job. She explained that many of their conversations centered on “which hills I’m willing to die on” and which issues can she either accept or learn to live with. She also drafted a list of the reasons she likes her job and wants to stay. This helps Corindi evaluate when she’s deciding to either assert herself or “force myself to be a sheep”.
Shining as a lone wolf
However, Corindi notes that her lone wolf tendencies are also incredibly useful. “…Voicing dissenting opinions is where I shine. It’s what my clients value most about me. I’m a trusted advisor who will tell them the truth even if they don’t want to hear it. If this is what makes me a lone wolf, I own the label proudly,” she concludes. “I don’t want to be a sheep. My sister was right — I’m unemployable.”
Read More: 10+ Things Truly Smart People Say Often, According to Psychology