I Have Been a Recruiter for 30 Years. This Mistake Never Goes Away. I have been a recruiter for 30 years. And one of the most common mistakes I watch companies make costs them nothing to fix and everything to ignore. They pass on the best candidate they interviewed because they met them first. How It Happens Every Time It happens the same way every time. The search starts. The first candidate comes in. They are strong. The hiring manager is interested but not ready to decide.