You might think that you’re a shoe-in for the job before you step foot inside the practice. After all, you’re that good, right? But all the talent in the world won’t change the fact that you’re going up against other professionals that are just as qualified, so how do you stand out in the crowd?

Employers already know that you can handle the mechanics of the job—they read your resume. To differentiate between candidates, employers base their hiring decisions on attitude, trustworthiness, and problem-solving skills. But they look even more intently for traits that they don’t like.

The following are traits that will send you back to the classified ads, according to employers. Don’t even count on a callback if you are:

Arrogant. Although it’s good to have confidence going into a job interview, you may be lacking a trait that employers value over personal drive—humility. The word humility is often misunderstood to mean sheepishness or weakness. But humility draws its roots from the word humble, which means to show respect in a non-arrogant or prideful way. Don’t act like you’re the antidote that’s going to cure all the practice’s ills. Be realistic and show that you’ll value direction from those with experience and wisdom, so that the practice can be as efficient and profitable as possible.

Predictable. “I've always believed that it's important to show a new look periodically. Predictability can lead to failure.”—T. Boone Pickens, oil tycoon and billionaire
Employers can spot a copycat. With all the interview advice on the Internet, you’ll be labeled a clone the moment you utter, “I’m your go-to person,” or “I’m goal-oriented.” As an alternative, show them. Give them an example of something you did in a dire situation to ease the burden for the collective.

Unenthusiastic. You’re going to spend the majority of your conscious life with the people you work with. They know it too, and want someone whose going to make them feel like things are on the up and up. Being a booster at least part of the time shows them you care about doing a good job and accomplishing the tasks set out before the team. If you care, you’re going to protect their interests. Congratulations. You have just become useful—and perhaps—necessary.

Smile—and mean it. If the prospect of working for them doesn’t pump you up, you might want to consider if you are going to be happy there. Talk about the things that you love about the practice. Let them know you’re a fan.

Dishonest. Plain and simple—when people feel like they’re being fooled, they feel insecure. When they feel insecure, they seek to remove what makes them feel that way. Even if you think you are the best schmoozer on the planet, people have a sixth sense for dishonesty. They don’t want to spend their days being emotionally worn out.